2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, which replaced the Santa Fe XL as Hyundai's flagship SUV, boasted an elegant and striking exterior design. It featured distinctive lines and shapes, from its prominent grille to its crisp shoulder lines and tasteful tailgate. The SUV's profile was enhanced by sculpted wheel arches and a continuous strip of glass surfaces that created a floating rear roof effect. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and near-luxury level fit and finish, with a horizontally arrayed 12.3-inch touchscreen and high-quality materials throughout. The spacious interior accommodated up to eight passengers, with options for captain's chairs in the second row and a roomy third row suitable for children or short rides for adults.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, with its rear-drive platform, presented a taut and athletic appearance, characterized by a long hood, short front overhang, and rakish roofline. The blacked-out roof pillars contributed to a floating roof visual effect. Inside, higher-trim Explorers offered a mix of quality materials, though some elements hinted at the base trim. The cabin was generally comfortable, with triple-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs available. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating for adults due to limited legroom and access. Practical storage space was somewhat lacking, with missed opportunities for additional compartments and pockets.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a smooth and responsive driving experience without turbo lag. Despite its power, the Palisade's fuel consumption was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.6 on the highway. The SUV's four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars contributed to its nimble handling, and it could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,400 kilograms. The hybrid option, available on the Limited trim, combined a 3.3-litre V6 engine for a total of 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, towing up to 2,268 kilograms. The most powerful option was a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, standard on the ST and Platinum trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,540 kilograms. The Explorer's ride was robust, with off-road capabilities enhanced by the Timberline model's increased ground clearance and improved approach angles.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement, offering comfortable seating across all three rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were notably comfortable. The front row featured ample storage, including a centre console with two compartments and a locking glove box. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded, and 2,447 litres with both rear rows down. The Palisade's shift-by-wire gear selector and logically arranged controls added to its user-friendly design.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. However, the third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited legroom and access. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with available massaging features, while the second-row seats offered manual sunshades. Cargo space measured 528 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,264 litres with the third row folded, and 2,132 litres with both rear rows down. The Explorer's interior lacked practical storage solutions, with limited pockets and cubbies.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a standard 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system on all but the base trim. The infotainment system included wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added a Qi wireless charging pad, a 115-volt power outlet, and a head-up display. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, standard on higher trims, offered remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The digital instrument cluster integrated with turn signals and blind-spot cameras for enhanced safety.

The 2022 Ford Explorer featured two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The larger screen appeared as an afterthought, lacking integration with the dashboard. The system included FordPass Connect services, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a navigation system. Higher trims offered wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the outdated Sync 3 system struggled with voice recognition, highlighting the need for an upgrade to Sync 4 technology.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, and a comprehensive suite of active safety features, including blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist for enhanced semi-autonomous driving.

The 2022 Ford Explorer also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer's post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable functions provided additional safety measures.