2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade stood as the flagship SUV in Hyundai's lineup, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It featured a striking and elegant exterior design that set it apart from previous Hyundai models, with distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting. The Palisade's design was complemented by a continuous strip of glass that created a floating roof effect, and 20-inch alloy wheels were standard in Canada. Inside, the Palisade offered a near-luxury experience with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and spacious seating for up to eight passengers, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, on the other hand, received subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. While it was easily distinguishable as an EV, the ID.4 lacked the traditional SUV profile, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 offered a minimalist interior design with quality materials, and the base model featured leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibres. The ID.4's interior was spacious, with more legroom and headroom than many other affordable EVs, making it a practical choice for those seeking an electric SUV.

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. However, its fuel consumption was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.6 on the highway, which was not the most efficient in its class. The Palisade's towing capacity was impressive, with the ability to tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a choice between a 62-kWh battery pack for the base model and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro model. The single-motor RWD models delivered 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD version increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The ID.4's regenerative braking system allowed for energy recovery, but it did not offer one-pedal driving. The ID.4's towing capacity was 1,000 kilograms for RWD models and 1,225 kg for AWD models, providing some capability for light towing.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and versatility, offering comfortable seating in all three rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were notably comfortable. The Palisade boasted 509 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded, and a cavernous 2,447 litres with both rear rows down. The Palisade's interior featured a compact shift-by-wire setup, logical controls, and a dual-panel sunroof on higher trims, enhancing the cabin's ambiance.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than many other affordable EVs, with ample legroom and headroom. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V in terms of interior space, it was a practical choice among entry-level EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with a capacity of 1,000 kilograms for RWD models and 1,225 kg for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a standard 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen and a premium Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims. The infotainment system included wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added a Qi wireless charging pad, a head-up display, and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen with software updates for improved responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The ID.4's user interface included haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which some found distracting. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured a comprehensive suite of passive and active safety features, including seven airbags, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist for enhanced safety.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. While IIHS ratings for the 2023 model were not available, the 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus and an automated lane-change feature.