2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, was already a prominent figure on the road, and its 2023 styling update only enhanced its commanding presence. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger, more assertive look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights added to its modern appeal, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. The Palisade's body-colour mirrors, heated and powered across all trims, added a touch of sophistication, and the 20-inch alloy wheels, standard in Canada, conveyed a premium feel. The new Robust Emerald colour option for the Ultimate Calligraphy trim was subtle and elegant, fitting seamlessly into the vehicle's overall aesthetic.

Inside, the Palisade's Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered a stylish and attractive interior, brightened by a dual-pane sunroof. Premium Nappa leather seats were standard, while lower trims featured cloth or leatherette upholstery. The Palisade accommodated up to eight passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. Heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a range of power-adjustable seating options ensured comfort for all occupants. The interior design, with horizontal quilting and dash lines, drew inspiration from luxury brands, creating a refined atmosphere.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. It was longer and wider, giving it a muscular stance, while the classic D-pillar taillights were modernized with three L shapes for a more aggressive look. The CR-V Hybrid Touring trim featured black roof rails, mirrors, and wheels, along with dual chrome exhaust finishers, enhancing its sporty appearance. The interior design followed the trend set by the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with a honeycomb grille surrounding the climate control vents. The materials in the Hybrid Touring cabin felt high-quality, and the contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel added an attractive touch.

The CR-V Hybrid's interior offered ample space, with rear seat legroom increased to 1,042 millimetres. The reclining rear seats provided eight positions, maximizing headroom and accommodating large cargo. The hands-free power tailgate and wide-opening rear doors made access easy, while the improved LATCH system was a boon for families. The cubby ahead of the shifter held two smartphones, and the console provided best-in-class storage. The CR-V Hybrid's interior was designed with practicality and comfort in mind, making it a versatile choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, offering more power than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard paddle shifters, provided smooth gear changes. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, and the HTRAC system proved capable during off-road tests. The Palisade's towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) was impressive, and its dedicated Tow Mode optimized shifting for towing tasks. Fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a new hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date. The hybrid powertrain was responsive, with a 15 lb-ft boost in torque enhancing highway merging capabilities. The CR-V Hybrid's towing capacity was 450 kilograms (1,000 lbs). It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and four drive modes: Snow, Sport, Normal, and Econ. The updated Real Time All-wheel Drive system could send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels. The CR-V Hybrid's fuel economy was estimated at 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.9 on the highway, and 6.4 combined, offering a significant advantage over non-hybrid models.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered generous interior space, comfortably seating seven or eight passengers. It provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. Passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, and the third-row seats folded flat for additional cargo space. The Palisade's cargo capacity was 509 litres behind the third row, 1,297 litres behind the second row, and 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base trim. The Palisade's interior was designed for comfort, with HVAC vents in all three rows and ample cupholders. The centre console featured a phone holder and space for a bag, while physical buttons and knobs ensured intuitive control.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to increased interior volume. It offered 1,028 litres of cargo space with the rear seatbacks up and 2,030 litres with them folded. The Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and wide-opening rear doors facilitated access. Rear seat legroom increased to 1,042 millimetres, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The reclining rear seats offered eight positions, maximizing headroom and cargo space. The CR-V Hybrid's interior was practical, with a cubby for smartphones and eight cupholders throughout the cabin. The console provided best-in-class storage, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims. The Palisade offered remote accessibility through Hyundai's Bluelink system, allowing drivers to view vehicle information and control features remotely. Heated and cooled seats could be activated via the app, and a wireless charger was standard on the top trim. The Palisade's technology suite was comprehensive, enhancing convenience and connectivity.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display with physical volume and tuning knobs, while higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen. The CR-V Hybrid was well-equipped, with USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and heated seats. The Touring trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Honda's smart navigation system optimized fuel efficiency based on the route, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It featured Hyundai's Smart Sense suite, 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, Highway Driving Assist, and a full-display digital rearview mirror were available on higher trims. The Palisade's safety features were comprehensive, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid also earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. It featured the Honda Sensing suite, with improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist systems. New safety features included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The CR-V Hybrid's safety enhancements, including new airbags and increased visibility, provided additional protection and confidence on the road.