2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes. Its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood were reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. The option for a white contrasting roof and steel wheels added a retro touch. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender's design was modern, with rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique character. The larger size of the modern Defender improved interior space and ergonomics, offering more headroom and legroom than its predecessor. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with bare metal and exposed screws, complemented by a mix of leather and suede upholstery, making it suitable for off-road adventures without worrying about interior damage.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, received a styling update that enhanced its road presence. The new front fascia with bold strokes and squared-off grille gave it a stronger look, complemented by standard LED accents and headlights. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. In Canada, 20-inch alloy wheels were standard, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering a new multi-spoke design. A new colour, Robust Emerald, was introduced, adding a subtle elegance to the lineup. The interior of the Ultimate Calligraphy trim was stylish, with a dual-pane sunroof brightening the space. Premium Nappa leather was standard, and the seating configurations allowed for seven or eight passengers, with features like heated and ventilated seats enhancing comfort.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains, including a new V8 engine. The base model featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control. It also offered a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade came with a single powertrain: a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This made it more powerful than several competitors, including the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The eight-speed automatic transmission featured standard paddle shifters, and all-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The HTRAC all-wheel drive system performed well in light off-roading conditions. The Palisade offered a comfortable ride, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and a dedicated Tow Mode for optimized shifting. Fuel economy was competitive, with consumption rates of 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile seating and cargo options. The two-door Defender 90 had 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, though accessing them was challenging. The four-door Defender 110 model provided more flexibility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with up to 1,875 litres available in two-row versions. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. The Defender also offered optional exterior cargo solutions, like a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade comfortably seated seven or eight passengers, with generous legroom in all rows. The second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row, and the seats folded flat for increased cargo space. Cargo capacity ranged from 509 litres behind the third row to 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded. The Palisade featured HVAC vents in all rows and ample cupholders. The centre console included a phone holder and space for a bag, with physical buttons and knobs for easy control. Automatic dual-zone climate control was standard.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade boasted a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and more. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims. The Palisade supported multiple Bluetooth connections and offered numerous USB ports for charging. A wireless charger was standard on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The digital instrument cluster varied by trim, with an in-car intercom and head-up display available on higher trims. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote accessibility and management features.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was included on all trims, with advanced Highway Driving Assist features on higher trims. The Palisade also offered a full-display digital rearview mirror and safe exit warning.