2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, framed the new headlights, giving the SUV a stronger and more assertive look. LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights were standard across the lineup, while LED taillights became standard on SEL and higher trims. The top Calligraphy trim was distinguished by premium rear accent lighting, body-color bumpers, and a unique glossy black and chrome grille. The new XRT trim featured a dark grille, roof cross rails, and black 20-inch wheels, adding to its rugged appeal. The interior of the Calligraphy-trim tester was stylish, with premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof brightening the space. The Palisade offered a range of seating configurations, with second-row captain's chairs in higher trims and a bench option for lower trims, accommodating up to eight passengers.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a departure from the sleek, futuristic designs of its predecessors, embracing a boxy shape optimized for storage capacity. This design choice, explained by Hyundai's design chief SangYup Lee, aimed to make the box elegant and premium-looking. The Santa Fe's aerodynamically efficient design turned heads, with a palette of sophisticated exterior colors and anodized-finish badging. The XRT trim added dark chrome and black cladding, while higher trims featured larger wheels. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with the XRT and Calligraphy trims showcasing a mix of soft and hard materials. The interior was designed for comfort, with features like a soothing fabric headliner and spacious seating in the first and second rows. The focus on cargo space was evident, with a large cargo area designed for car camping and tailgating, complete with an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive in 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 could be controlled with paddle shifters, and front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,900. The HTRAC all-wheel drive system proved capable on a muddy off-road course, though the Palisade was not designed for rock-crawling. It offered a comfortable ride and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, with a dedicated Tow Mode for AWD models. Fuel economy for FWD models was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models achieved 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional, except for the XRT trim, which had AWD standard. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT adding off-road modes. A hybrid version with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was also available, producing 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy for FWD models was 20 mpg city, 29 highway, and 24 combined, with AWD models achieving slightly lower ratings. The XRT model, with its extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires, had a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds. On the road, the Santa Fe provided smooth and stable driving dynamics, with some body roll through turns. The XRT trim demonstrated off-road capability comparable to other rugged SUVs.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers and cargo, with seating for seven or eight. It provided 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third, with a total passenger volume of 155.3 cubic feet. The second-row seats featured a one-touch slide for easy access to the third row, and the third-row seats folded flat for additional cargo space. The Palisade's cargo capacity was 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 behind the second row, and 86.4 with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base SE trim. The Palisade also offered HVAC vents in all three rows, multiple cupholders, and a well-organized center console with a phone holder and storage space.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its boxy design, focused on maximizing cargo space. It featured a wheelbase about two inches longer than its predecessor, with a body two inches longer and taller. The cargo area was designed for car camping and tailgating, with an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows were spacious and comfortable. The Santa Fe was about six inches shorter and three inches narrower than the Palisade, making it a better fit for those who didn't need a fully functional third row. The second row offered a choice of a bench or reclining captain's chairs, depending on the trim. The cargo area provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 40.5 and 79.6 cubic feet with the third and second rows folded. The Santa Fe also featured a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox, introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade boasted advanced technology features, including WiFi hotspot capability, standard on all trims. A 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system was also standard, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available in SEL models and standard in Limited and Calligraphy. The Palisade featured a 4.2-inch color driver info display, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster available in higher trims. An in-car intercom and rear-seat quiet mode were also available. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard, allowing remote access and management of vehicle features. The Palisade introduced Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with Apple and Samsung devices, allowing owners to unlock, start, and drive the car using their smartphones.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a curved panoramic display, standard on XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, providing a luxurious feel. The touchscreen display offered easy access to controls, intuitive menus, and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Hyundai's BlueLink system allowed vehicle access and information, with upgraded features on higher trims. Hyundai Pay, introduced in late 2023, stored payment information for services at partnered vendors. The Santa Fe also offered a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode control.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade had not yet been rated by the IIHS for 2023, but the 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick+. The Palisade featured Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard on all trims. Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, and a full-display digital rearview mirror were also available. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard on most trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Hyundai vehicles typically performed well in safety evaluations. The Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, remote automatic parking, and a sanitizing compartment in the glovebox. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai vehicle with driver monitoring, using an infrared camera and capacitive sensors to track alertness and hand placement on the wheel.