2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, presented a striking presence on the road, enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a more commanding 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, were standard across the lineup, with approach lighting included in the top trim. 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 palette. Inside, the Ultimate Calligraphy trim boasted premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof, with heated and ventilated seats available across various trims.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner maintained its classic, albeit outdated, design, reminiscent of its 2010 roots. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged, stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model featured underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Inside, the 4Runner's old-school styling was evident, with an analog instrument panel and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior had a mix of hard plastics and cushioned panels, with grained seat upholstery resembling vinyl. Despite its dated design, the 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and ample space for passengers, though headroom was limited in the second row. The cargo area was spacious, with a maximum capacity of 2,540 litres, though lacking remote seat releases and a powered liftgate.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 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 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. While not suited for rock-crawling, the Palisade offered a comfortable ride and a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Its fuel economy was competitive, consuming 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Its five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler, which offered more gears for better acceleration and fuel efficiency. The TRD Pro model came with standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, excelling in off-road conditions. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and noticeable body roll. The 4Runner's soft suspension, while beneficial off-road, resulted in a bouncy ride on highways. Its towing capacity matched the Palisade at 2,268 kilograms.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers, with legroom measuring 1,052 millimetres in the front, 1,077 in the second row, and 798 in the third. Its passenger volume totalled 4,397 litres, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. The Palisade's third-row access was facilitated by a one-touch seat slide, and its cargo space ranged from 509 litres behind the third row to 2,447 litres with seats folded flat. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on most trims. The interior featured HVAC vents in all rows, numerous cupholders, and a well-organized centre console.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, was functional, with easy-to-use climate controls and driveline levers. It offered excellent visibility and ample space for front passengers, though taller drivers might find the steering wheel's reach limited. The second row provided good legroom but limited headroom. The 4Runner's cargo capacity reached 1,337 litres behind the rear seats and 2,540 litres with seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate was a drawback. The sliding glass rear window and party speakers were unique features, adding convenience and entertainment options.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its technology offerings, featuring a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. A premium Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims, and multiple USB ports and a wireless charger ensured connectivity. The Palisade's digital instrument cluster and in-car intercom enhanced the driving experience, while the Bluelink connected vehicle system offered remote accessibility and management features.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its eight-inch touchscreen was less user-friendly. The TRD Pro model's JBL audio system delivered quality sound, though road noise often interfered. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems aiding off-road performance. However, the lack of off-road-specific apps and gauges was a limitation.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, thanks to its comprehensive Smart Sense suite of safety features. These included forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade also offered Highway Driving Assist, a digital rearview mirror, and a rear seat occupant alert system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from the NHTSA and varying scores from the IIHS. It came equipped with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. The TRD Pro and Limited trims featured a surround-view camera system, though some alerts were overly sensitive.