2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design. It featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a sophisticated appearance. The interior was equally polished, with high-quality materials and a horizontally arrayed screen. The spacious cabin offered comfortable seating across three rows, with the third row accommodating adults for short rides. The Palisade's fit and finish were near-luxury, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe had a more conservative exterior design, maintaining the same look as the previous model year. It was available in five trim levels, with FWD standard and AWD optional. The Santa Fe's standout feature was its wide grilles, complemented by thin LED headlights. Inside, the top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim featured a dark, monotone interior with Nappa leather seats, offering comfort and style. The Santa Fe's cabin was equipped with heated and cooled front seats, enhancing comfort during varying weather conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter 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 powerful driving experience without turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway for AWD models. It featured a four-wheel independent suspension and could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version producing 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine provided brisk acceleration and smooth performance, especially in Sport mode. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four customizable modes and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds with trailer brakes, offering versatility for various driving needs.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement, offering comfortable seating across three rows. The third row provided easy access and ample space, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The Palisade offered 18.0 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with both rows folded flat. It featured a compact shift-by-wire setup and intuitive controls, enhancing convenience. The Limited and Calligraphy trims included luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, provided generous rear-seat legroom of 41.7 inches and competitive cargo space of 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row. Folding the second row expanded the cargo area to 72.1 cubic feet. The Santa Fe's seat comfort was a highlight, with power-adjustable and heated front seats in higher trims. It offered dual-zone climate control, a hands-free smart liftgate, and advanced features like Remote Smart Parking Assist. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display added to the Santa Fe's appeal.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with its advanced infotainment system. The Limited and Calligraphy models featured a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade offered multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring, enhancing convenience and connectivity.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. The infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in Limited and Calligraphy trims. The system allowed for extensive customization and included features like wireless device charging and Bluelink connected services. While the voice-recognition system had mixed results, the Santa Fe's technology offerings were impressive for a mass-market brand.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of safety features, including seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and advanced driver assistance systems like blind-spot collision avoidance and forward collision-avoidance assist. It earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe also offered a wide range of safety-related ADAS, such as forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It received the highest-possible five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The Santa Fe's safety features provided peace of mind, with reminders for rear-seat occupants and safe-exit warnings.