2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not have appealed to everyone, those who appreciated its aesthetics likely found other aspects of the vehicle equally appealing. In Canada, the Palisade was available in two trims: Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy, priced at $57,431 and $61,031 respectively, including destination charges. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which was tested, featured luxurious touches like an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated interior elements, giving it a luxury SUV feel.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a throwback to earlier SUV designs, having last been redesigned in 2010. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged, stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model enhanced this with underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. However, the interior showed its age with outdated technology and styling. Despite this, the 4Runner offered practical features like sturdy handles and excellent outward visibility, crucial for off-road driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, and the Palisade could tow up to 2,268 kilograms. It offered several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, and Sport, and had a ground clearance of 20.3 centimetres. The Palisade excelled in providing a firm yet comfortable ride, with excellent handling on mountain roads and reliable braking performance. However, its real-world fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 15.0 L/100 km in Comfort mode.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine delivering 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a five-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Pro model came with standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. While the 4Runner's powertrain was less responsive on highways, it excelled off-road. The soft suspension provided excellent wheel articulation but resulted in noticeable body roll and nosedive during on-road driving. Despite its rugged capabilities, the 4Runner's on-road performance was hindered by its outdated transmission and noisy engine.

Inside the 2024 Hyundai Palisade, the Urban trim featured artificial leather, while the Ultimate Calligraphy offered premium Nappa leather. The vehicle boasted heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof. Configurable storage options and a spacious interior made it practical for families. The Palisade provided 509 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, was functional with easy-to-use controls. It offered ample space for front passengers and decent legroom in the second row, though headroom was limited. The 4Runner could hold 1,337 litres of cargo behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,540 litres with seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were drawbacks. The sliding glass rear window and party speakers were unique features that added convenience.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via USB-A. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included wireless charging and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Hyundai’s Bluelink services offered remote engine starting and emergency assistance. Additional tech features included a digital rearview mirror and a semi-autonomous parking system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TRD Pro model included a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though road noise often overshadowed its quality. Off-road controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems enhancing its capabilities. However, the lack of modern off-road apps and gauges was a limitation.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Highway Driving Assist provided adaptive cruise control and lane-centring. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though some crash tests were incomplete.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four stars from NHTSA for overall protection and varying scores from IIHS. It included adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, but its alerts were often oversensitive. The TRD Pro and Limited trims offered a surround-view camera system.