2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic nod to its storied past with the Heritage Edition trim. This version was celebrated for its classic design elements, such as bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket, which were best complemented by the Midnight Black color. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was dressed in Magnetic Gray with Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, was adorned with oversized headlights and taillights, and a generous amount of chrome, giving it a somewhat dated appearance. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus-inspired design, featuring high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade presented a modern and elegant design, marking a departure from Hyundai's previous, more derivative styles. Its exterior was characterized by distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches, creating a visually appealing profile. The Palisade's design was further enhanced by a continuous strip of glass that gave the impression of a floating rear roof. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and luxurious cabin with high-quality materials and finishes. The spacious interior featured a horizontally arrayed screen, a beefy center console, and comfortable seating arrangements, including captain's chairs in higher trims. The fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, was remarkably quiet during acceleration, with only a hint of its characteristic note audible inside the cabin. Despite its power, the Land Cruiser's fuel economy was less than stellar, averaging 14.7 mpg during testing, slightly above the EPA's 14 mpg combined rating. The SUV's eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided impressive off-road capabilities. Features like the Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control ensured the Land Cruiser could tackle challenging terrains with ease. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight was evident in its handling. It was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds, showcasing its robust capabilities.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivered 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, featuring gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, provided a smooth and responsive driving experience without turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel economy was moderate, with FWD models achieving up to 22 mpg combined and AWD models up to 21 mpg combined. Weighing between 4,127 and 4,387 pounds, the Palisade handled well, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. The SUV could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while luxurious, was somewhat dated in appearance. It featured plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats, providing a comfortable ride. The second-row bench seat offered ample space and heated cushions, while the third-row seat could accommodate adults for short trips. The Land Cruiser's cargo space was limited, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided convenient access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality, offering comfortable seating across all three rows. The third row was easily accessible and provided cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs offered ample legroom and headroom. The front row featured generous storage options, including a center console with two compartments. The Palisade's cargo space was impressive, with 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. An underfloor storage compartment added extra space, and roof rails could hold up to 220 pounds of cargo. The Palisade's shift-by-wire gear selector and intuitive controls enhanced the driving experience, while the dual-panel sunroof improved the ambiance in higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was a throwback to simpler times, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. The system lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its interface required tapping rather than swiping. The voice-recognition system was basic, and the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was dated, offering DVD playback but no streaming capabilities. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality but fell short of high-end audio systems in other SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Limited and Calligraphy models featured a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers. The Palisade offered multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Blue Link connected car system, available on higher trims, provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The digital instrument cluster and head-up display in the Limited and Calligraphy trims added to the Palisade's modern appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a robust safety package with 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Land Cruiser lacked more advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Land Cruiser, leaving its safety performance uncertain.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted an impressive array of safety features, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Advanced driver assistance features, such as blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance assist, were standard. The Palisade also offered optional features like Highway Driving Assist and ultrasonic rear occupant alert on higher trims.