2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from the typical family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not have appealed to everyone, those who appreciated its aesthetics likely found other aspects of the vehicle to their liking. In Canada, the Palisade was available in two trims: Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy, with the latter offering a luxurious feel thanks to features like an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated interior details. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, priced at $61,031, exuded a luxury SUV vibe, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a premium experience in a mass-market midsize family SUV.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, boasted classic design proportions with a blunt nose, short front overhang, and a tapered roofline. While the 2025 styling was considered less elegant than previous models, the Aviator still maintained a fundamentally appealing design. Inside, the Aviator offered a plush interior with a classic architectural sensibility, avoiding the over-reliance on screens seen in other Lincoln models. However, the remote keyless entry fob was criticized for its cheap plastic construction. In Canada, the Aviator was available in Premiere and Reserve trims, with the Reserve trim offering a host of desirable features, including upgraded exterior lighting and a high-end audio system, at a price of $96,295.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The Palisade offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance. With driving modes like Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, the Palisade provided versatility for various driving conditions. The V6 engine delivered ample power and satisfying acceleration, while the transmission ensured smooth gear shifts. The Palisade's AWD system expertly distributed power on dirt and gravel roads, and its suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride. However, real-world fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 15.0 L/100 km in Comfort mode.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Power was delivered to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Aviator offered driving modes such as Excite, Conserve, Normal, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Despite its powerful engine, the Aviator prioritized comfort over excitement, with the adaptive air suspension providing a smooth ride. The Aviator's fuel economy was rated at 11.9 L/100 km in combined driving, but real-world testing showed a less efficient 13.3 L/100 km. The Aviator excelled in providing clear sightlines and a quiet interior, although the ride quality suffered on rough roads due to its large wheels and thin tires. The Aviator's handling was more focused on comfort than athleticism, with the adaptive Air Glide suspension ensuring a composed and calming driving experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a comfortable and well-equipped interior, with premium Nappa leather upholstery in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. Standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof. The Palisade provided ample storage options, including configurable storage between the front seats and a sizable bin under the centre armrest. Second-row passengers enjoyed excellent comfort, with captain's chairs available in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The third-row seat was more comfortable and roomy than many competitors, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The Palisade's cargo space was generous, offering 509 litres behind the third row and up to 2,447 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with its Perfect Position front seats, offering 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating for adults, with limited legroom and low, flat cushions. The Aviator excelled in storage space, with a well-organized centre console and deep door panel storage pockets. The cargo area provided 466 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 2,149 litres with the second and third rows folded. Despite its luxury status, the Aviator lacked side window sunshades, an odd omission for a vehicle in this class.

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 connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included wireless charging and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services offered remote engine starting and emergency assistance. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror, a semi-autonomous remote parking system, and an excellent head-up display.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator boasted a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. It supported Google Built-in, Alexa Built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Google Assistant struggled with voice prompts in the test vehicle. The Aviator's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided exceptional audio quality. The head-up display offered a widescreen presentation of data, including lane departure warnings and blind-spot alerts. The Aviator also featured an app called Elevated Journey, offering mindfulness coaching for the road.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) was standard, providing a hands-on driving system for highway travel. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and received high marks in NHTSA crash tests, although frontal impact results were incomplete.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, offering a four-year subscription. The Aviator earned five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests and Good ratings in IIHS evaluations, indicating strong safety performance.