2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's newly creased and kinked body gave it a more substantial presence compared to its predecessor. While the Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper differentiated it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" look, its appeal was subjective. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with upscale touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior's cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme added a touch of luxury. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the SUV's pickup truck origins.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, received a styling update that enhanced its road presence. The new front fascia, with bolder strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger look. LED accents and headlights were standard across the lineup, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. The Palisade's 20-inch alloy wheels, standard in Canada, conveyed a premium feel. The new Robust Emerald colour added a subtle elegance to the Ultimate Calligraphy models. Inside, the Palisade's Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered a stylish and bright interior, thanks to the dual-pane sunroof. Premium Nappa leather was standard, and the second-row captain's chairs with wing-out headrests provided comfort. The Palisade's interior design drew inspiration from luxury brands, with horizontal quilting and dash lines reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous 5.7-litre V8, the new V6 offered improved towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with a combined rating of 11.7 L/100 km with 4WD. The SUV offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive for its class, offering more power than some rivals like the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with paddle shifters, and the standard all-wheel drive system provided capable performance on muddy off-road trails. The Palisade's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, and it featured a dedicated Tow Mode for optimized shifting. In terms of fuel economy, the Palisade consumed 12.6 L/100 km in city driving, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's front seats were comfortable, and the wide, flat, padded upper door panel shelf provided a convenient resting place for long trips. However, the second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres behind the third row and 2,460 litres with all seats folded.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers and cargo. It provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third. Passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, and the Palisade's second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,297 litres behind the second row, and 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded. The Palisade's interior featured HVAC vents in all three rows, cupholders for every passenger, and a well-organized centre console.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base TRD Off-road trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the available Drive Connect plan offered an Intelligent Assistant for navigation. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the infotainment system's glare and occasional bugs were drawbacks.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade boasted a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and more. A premium Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims, and the Palisade offered multiple USB ports and a wireless charger. The digital instrument cluster and in-car intercom enhanced the driving experience. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote accessibility and management features, allowing drivers to control various functions via an app.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services were also standard. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's safety features were impressive.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Hyundai's Smart Sense suite included forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard, and the Palisade offered advanced features like Highway Driving Assist and a digital rearview mirror.