GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2024 GMC Acadia was built on a significantly modified version of its predecessor's platform, resulting in a larger and more imposing vehicle. It was 27 centimetres longer and 8 centimetres taller than the 2023 model, with styling that emphasized its increased size. The front end featured a more upright design and a broad grille, reminiscent of GMC's full-size SUVs and pickup trucks, framed by distinctive LED headlights. The wheel arches and door skins had intricate detailing that added definition to the vehicle's bulk, although this was mostly visible in specific lighting conditions. At the rear, quad exhaust tips drew inspiration from the C8 Corvette, adding a sporty touch.

The 2024 Acadia was available in three trim levels: Elevation, AT4, and Denali. The Elevation trim replaced the previous SLE and SLT trims and came standard with 20-inch wheels in Canada, while 22-inch wheels were optional on both Elevation and Denali. The AT4 trim featured model-specific 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. Denali and AT4 models had unique styling features, with the Denali grille showcasing intricate detailing inspired by bridge trusswork. The interior was redesigned to accommodate larger screens and create a more spacious feel, with a panoramic sunroof available to let in more light. The AT4 model's interior materials were preferred over the Denali's, which, despite its leather seats and unique stitching, did not feel luxurious enough for its billing.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was offered in two trim levels in Canada: Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy. These trims integrated into the existing gas-only Palisade lineup, which included Preferred Trend, XRT Pro, and Ultimate Calligraphy. The base Luxury trim came standard with 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille with horizontal slats, framed by LED projector headlights and five large LED daytime running lights. The Palisade's profile featured body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities on the Luxury Hybrid trim. Acoustic side glass was standard on all trims, contributing to a quieter cabin.

The rear of the Palisade was equally stylish, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name below a large Hyundai emblem and stacks of five LED taillights wrapping around the rear corners. The exhaust was discreetly tucked away, emphasizing the Palisade's focus on peaceful, efficient driving. Inside, the Palisade impressed with its organic and natural shapes, creating a sense of craftsmanship. The interior featured H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, eight-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and three-stage heating elements for the front seats. Higher trims offered additional features like Nappa leather upholstery and integrated driver's seat memory settings. The Palisade's storage solutions were thoughtfully designed, providing a richer feeling of craftsmanship compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2024 GMC Acadia was powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four and naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 engines, offering more power than both. Despite the absence of a V6 option, the turbo-four engine was capable of hauling the Acadia to highway speeds with ease, and it supported a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) with an available towing package. However, the engine note was coarse and unattractive, particularly in the high-end Denali trim. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, and all-wheel drive was standard in Canada. The AT4 model featured a twin-clutch system for off-road driving, along with a 2.5-centimetre ride height lift, special suspension tuning, skid plates, and a Terrain drive mode for low-speed off-road cruise control.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery. The turbo-four engine produced 258 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a total output of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque when combined with the electric motors. This powertrain provided impressive performance, with the Palisade never lagging in town or on the highway. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and propulsion systems contributed to the Palisade's performance, with the hybrid system eliminating the old platform's starter motor and auxiliary belts. The Palisade could disconnect the P1 and engine via a clutch, relying solely on the P2 motor in low-speed situations. The result was an optimized powertrain that produced more power while consuming less fuel. The Palisade's cabin was quiet, with noise-absorbing carpet and acoustic glass keeping road and engine noise at bay. The steering was sharp, with nice weight and balance, although the pedals felt a bit squishy.

The 2024 GMC Acadia offered a spacious interior with more headroom across all three rows than competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Grand Highlander. It also had more first-row legroom, although the Kia and Toyota offered more second-row and third-row legroom, respectively. The Acadia's cargo space was impressive, with 651 litres behind the third row, 1,623 litres with the rear seats folded, and 2,761 litres with the second and third rows folded. These figures represented significant improvements over the 2023 model. The Acadia also featured an underfloor storage bin and a "presence based" power liftgate for hands-free access to the cargo area. Small-item storage was reasonable, although the headlight controls were only accessible via the touchscreen.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but exceeding others like the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, and Mazda CX-90. The Palisade's second-row legroom was slightly compromised by the battery's position, but it still offered more space than most competitors. The third row had less legroom and headroom compared to some rivals, but the Palisade's cabin was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control, seven USB-C power outlets, and a second-row bench seat standard. Captain's chairs were available on higher trims. The Palisade featured numerous storage cubbies, including a rubberized cargo space in the centre console and a small shelf ahead of the front passenger seat.

The 2024 GMC Acadia came with a standard 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker system available. The infotainment system featured Google built-in apps, including Google Maps and Google Assistant. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu access and high-quality graphics. The instrument cluster offered multiple configurations, although drive-mode icons could get lost among other notifications.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a matching digital instrument cluster. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were supported, along with HD and Sirius XM satellite radio. The Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows. A 14-speaker Bose stereo was available on higher trims, and a 15-watt wireless charging pad was standard. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a built-in dashcam. The Palisade introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the gas engine was off, provided the hybrid battery had sufficient charge.

The 2024 GMC Acadia received an Acceptable rating from the IIHS for its moderate overlap front test and collision prevention system, with a Marginal score for its headlights. NHTSA crash test results were unavailable. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera. The Acadia also offered the Super Cruise driver-assist system as an option on all trims.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. The Palisade's ADAS performed well during testing, with no false steps encountered. Crash test ratings for the 2026 model were unavailable, but the 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.