2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, particularly in its 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE), was a nod to the past with its retro body stripes and heritage grille design. This special edition, based on the SR5 trim, added a unique flair with bronze 17-inch wheels and badges, and was available in limited colours like black, white, or red. The interior, while featuring plenty of plastic, was solid and functional, with controls that were easy to use even with gloves on. The 4Runner's design was reminiscent of classic truck-based SUVs, offering a rugged and enduring appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. Available in Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, the Palisade offered a sophisticated interior with quality upholstery and metal speaker grilles. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, in particular, exuded luxury with features like an artificial suede headliner and an Ergo Motion massage function for the driver. The Palisade's design was both bold and refined, appealing to those who appreciated a touch of elegance in a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems, with the Limited trim providing a full-time 4WD system. Its fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres, and it excelled in off-road conditions with features like Active Traction Control and Multi-Terrain Select. However, on regular roads, the 4Runner's performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and heavy steering.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, boasted a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Palisade offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and had a fuel economy rating of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres. It featured multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, and Sport, and provided a comfortable ride with excellent handling. The Palisade's performance was smooth and responsive, making it a pleasure to drive on both city streets and highways.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered a unique feature with its rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation. The interior was spacious, with comfortable seats and dual-zone climate control. However, the third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. Without the third row, the 4Runner provided 1,337 litres of cargo space, making it a practical choice for those needing ample storage.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior comfort and space. It featured heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof. The second-row offered excellent comfort with a rear climate control panel and USB charging ports. The third-row seat was more spacious than most rivals, and the Palisade provided 509 litres of cargo space behind it. With the third-row folded, cargo capacity increased to 1,297 litres, and with the second-row folded, it expanded to 2,447 litres, making it highly versatile for families.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's technology was basic, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and buttons, but the graphics were outdated. Voice recognition worked well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It supported Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though they required a cable. The Palisade included Hyundai's Bluelink connected services and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a semi-autonomous remote parking system, enhancing the Palisade's modern appeal.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, its crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Marginal rating from IIHS for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. It also featured Highway Driving Assist and a rear-seat reminder system. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star rating for side-impact collisions from NHTSA, showcasing its strong safety credentials.