2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a range of trim levels in Canada, from the base RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited. The design remained consistent with the 2019 model, particularly in the Trail trim, which featured a distinctive two-part face. The Trail trim, tested in the U.S. equivalent, showcased a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and additional rugged styling elements, though it was more about appearance than off-road capability. Inside, the Trail trim added orange accents and contrast stitching, with a relatively basic interior that included a frameless rearview mirror for a touch of premium feel. The RAV4 provided various upholstery options, with the Limited trim offering heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats and a more premium interior experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, available in two trims in Canada: Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in the U.S. equivalent, featured luxurious touches like an artificial suede headliner and quality upholstery, giving it a luxury SUV feel. The interior boasted metal speaker grilles, a striped dashboard, and sophisticated design elements. The Palisade's interior was well-appointed, with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof. The Ergo Motion massage function for the driver added to the comfort, though similar features for the front passenger were lacking. Overall, the Palisade's interior exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with a single engine option, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the RAV4 offered standard all-wheel drive across all trims, including a Snow drive mode. While the engine provided adequate power, it was not particularly exciting, and the noise level was noticeable. The RAV4 Trail trim featured 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and shared the same suspension setup as other RAV4 models, offering a comfortable ride but lacking in off-road prowess.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada, with a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Palisade offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for off-road conditions. The V6 engine provided ample power and smooth acceleration, with the transmission always in the right gear. The Palisade's suspension was tuned for a firm yet comfortable ride, and it displayed surprising agility on winding roads. Fuel consumption was rated at 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres, though real-world testing showed higher consumption.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was designed to seat five, with front-row headroom of 958 millimetres and rear headroom of 1,001 mm. It offered 1,039 mm of front legroom and 960 mm in the second row, providing decent space but falling short compared to some competitors. The RAV4 featured practical storage options, including a shelf above the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 1,059 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded, placing it in the middle of its class.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with artificial leather upholstery in the Urban trim and premium Nappa leather in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with memory settings and an adjustable thigh support cushion for the driver. The Palisade provided configurable storage between the front seats, with a large storage bin and wireless smartphone charging. Second-row passengers enjoyed excellent comfort, with optional captain's chairs and standard rear climate control. The third row was more spacious than many rivals, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The Palisade's cargo space was 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen in the Limited trim. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with over-the-air updates. The Limited trim also featured an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version in the Limited trim. Both the Trail and Limited trims included a wireless charging pad.

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 a rear-seat Quiet Mode. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included wireless charging. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, offering remote engine start and emergency assistance. The Palisade's 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system provided excellent audio quality. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror, semi-autonomous remote parking, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The updated TSS 2.5 suite included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash-testing.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a wide range of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard, offering adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though some crash tests were incomplete.