2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

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 were standard on SEL and higher trims. The top Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting, body-color bumpers, a unique glossy black and chrome grille, and a wider rear spoiler. The new XRT trim featured a dark grille, roof cross rails, and black 20-inch wheels, adding to its rugged appeal. The Palisade's interior was stylish and attractive, with premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim and a dual-pane sunroof that brightened the cabin. The seating configurations allowed for seven or eight passengers, with heated and ventilated seats available in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and several design cues with the Tundra pickup, including hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model featuring chrome brightwork and presented in Celestial Silver, giving it a somewhat dated look. However, with a color swap to Solar Octane orange and black accents, it transformed into a more playful and rugged "Tonka truck" aesthetic. Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra with a blocky, geometric dash layout and physical dials for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered fabric, SofTex, or leather seating surfaces. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with a power-tilt and -slide moonroof standard or optional depending on the trim, and the center console featured a shallow compartment with padded armrests.

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 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 could be controlled with paddle shifters, and power was routed to the front wheels by default, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as a $1,900 option. The HTRAC AWD system proved capable on a muddy off-road course, although the Palisade was not designed for rock-crawling. It offered a comfortable ride and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, with AWD models featuring a dedicated Tow Mode. Fuel economy for the Palisade was rated at 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined for front-wheel-drive models, and 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was offered exclusively in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over its V8-powered predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with four-wheel drive (4WD), compared to 14 mpg previously. The TRD Pro trim was available only with 4WD, featuring a part-time system with 4Hi, 4Lo, and two-wheel drive (2WD) options. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate for its class. The TRD Off-Road package, available on select trims, added all-terrain tires, a skid plate, and off-road suspension with Bilstein shocks. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity was 9,520 pounds, with towing-related upgrades available, including the Tow Technology Package and power-extending trailer tow mirrors.

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, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. Passenger volume measured 155.3 cubic feet, and the second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row with a one-touch seat slide. Cargo space totaled 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 behind the second row, and 86.4 with the second and third rows folded flat. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base SE trim. The Palisade featured HVAC vents in all three rows and provided two cupholders per person. The center console included a phone holder and space for a bag, with physical buttons and knobs laid out intuitively.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. Behind the second row, it provided 49 cubic feet, and behind the third row, it ranged from 11.5 to 22.3 cubic feet, depending on the position of the third-row seats. The second-row seats did not slide fore and aft but were easy to move for access to the back row. The third-row seats folded at the push of a button but did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. This affected headroom, with 39.2 inches up front, 37.5-38.4 in the middle, and 35.6 in the back. Legroom ranged from 28.1 to 33.7 inches in the third row, 39.2 inches in the second row, and 41.2 inches in the first. Second-row captain's chairs replaced the bench seat in higher trims, offering width but lacking bolstering.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured advanced technology, 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 supported up to two Bluetooth connections simultaneously and offered USB ports for charging in all rows. A wireless charger was standard on all but the base trim. The driver enjoyed a 4.2-inch color info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. An in-car intercom and rear-seat quiet mode were available, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard, offering remote accessibility and management 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 devices.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim was equipped with numerous features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR5 trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured a 14-inch center touchscreen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The Sequoia's driver-information display was a full-color 12.3-inch unit, standard across all trims. The Panoramic View monitor was also standard, aiding in maneuvering the large vehicle. A 10-inch color head-up display was standard on Capstone and available on Platinum. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on Limited and standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for the 2022 model, and the 2023 model was expected to maintain or improve upon this rating. It came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping and lane-following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard. Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and intelligent speed limit assist were also included. Highway Driving Assist I was standard on lower trims, while Highway Driving Assist II was available on SEL and standard on higher trims. A full-display digital rearview mirror and safe exit warning were available, and the rear seat occupant alert was standard on all but the base trim.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety and driver-assistance features as standard across all trims. This included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Sequoia's blind-spot monitoring system included Trailer Merge Warning. The Tow Technology Package, available on lower trims and standard on higher ones, added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The 2024 Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.