2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, which was a refreshing departure from the rugged styling cues often seen in other SUVs. Its angular and technical look, introduced in the 2023 refresh, replaced the previous chubby-cheeked face, sparking mixed reactions but generally appreciated for its upscale appearance. Inside, even the base trim level offered a modern and upscale feel, with premium leather and luxury cues in the higher trims. Despite some hard-to-read metallic-surface control markings, the Palisade was loaded with thoughtful details like USB charging ports in the front seatbacks and second-row smartphone storage pockets. In Canada, the Palisade was available in four trim levels, with prices ranging from $53,284 to $63,584, including destination charges.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S hardtop, with its black-on-black colour scheme, was less about aesthetics and more about functionality. Despite the heat-sink colour combination being less than ideal for tropical climates, the Wrangler's design was rooted in its World War II military vehicle heritage, emphasizing capability over sophistication. The Wrangler was available in several trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $42,995 to $80,085. Our test vehicle, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and several options, had an MSRP of $66,070. The interior was functional, with a focus on durability, and the Wrangler's design allowed it to go almost anywhere, making it a popular choice despite its lack of refinement compared to newer cars.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, according to Natural Resources Canada. Despite its age, the Palisade's driving dynamics held up well, with a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer ride on highways. The powertrain was smooth and refined, delivering plenty of power and silky shifts. However, it was not very fuel-efficient, recording 13.9 L/100 km in city driving and 11.9 L/100 km overall during testing. The steering and suspension offered a reasonable feel for the road, and the brakes were well-calibrated.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, making it slightly more fuel-efficient with a rating of 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Our test vehicle averaged 12.3 L/100 km during a week of driving. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it capable off-road. However, its ride was rough, and the steering was slow and sloppy. The Wrangler had a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, so caution was advised when driving laterally across slopes.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, with our test vehicle featuring a seven-passenger arrangement with second-row captain’s chairs. The interior was comfortable, with Nappa premium leather, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. Heated outboard seats in the first two rows and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada. The second-row seats provided good thigh support and legroom, and the third row was suitable for adults with USB-C charging ports and air vents. Storage space was generous, with adjustable front cupholders and a Smart Liftgate for easy access. Cargo space behind the third row measured 509 litres, expanding to 2,447 litres with the seats folded.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated seats and steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of the plastic hooks on the front seatbacks. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in the cupholders. Cargo space was reasonable, with 897 litres available in the four-door model, expanding to 2,050 litres with the back seat folded. However, accessing the cargo area was cumbersome due to the tailgate and rear window design.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology, while starting to look dated compared to newer models, was fully functional with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but offered features like two-device Bluetooth support, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The voice recognition system performed well, and the Palisade included a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display with blind spot warnings.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. Jeep Connect provided access to adventure guides and GPS trail logs for off-road navigation. The touchscreen remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display, passive entry, and a remote engine starting system. Rear parking sensors were available in the Safety Group option pack.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Highway Driving Assist system paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist for a hands-on highway driving aid. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024, but a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test prevented it from receiving the accolade in 2025. The NHTSA awarded it five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags for the front and rear seats, a significant safety upgrade. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic braking. The Wrangler had a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it Good for side-impact protection and the updated moderate overlap frontal-impact test, but it received a Marginal rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test.