Toyota Highlander vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave it a compact appearance despite its spacious interior. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions, making it ideal for families. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, navy blue exterior, unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander lineup in Canada included trims such as LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, each offering a range of features from standard all-wheel drive and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system to premium LED headlamps and a panoramic moonroof.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, available in Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, integrated seamlessly into the gas-only Palisade lineup. The base Luxury trim featured 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille with LED projector headlights. The Palisade's interior was a testament to Hyundai's commitment to craftsmanship, with organic shapes and thoughtful storage solutions. The hybrid model offered a more comfortable cabin than its competitors, with dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C power outlets, and available captain's chairs. The Palisade's design and features made it a standout choice for families seeking style and functionality.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard all-wheel drive, with no front-wheel drive option in Canada. The Highlander offered Sport, Normal, and Eco drive modes, as well as Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes for the AWD system. While the V6 provided better pickup at higher speeds, it was less lively from a standstill. The Highlander excelled in handling, with a sport-tuned suspension on the XSE trim that reduced body roll and maintained comfort over bumps. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms and had a max payload of 775 kilograms.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid redefined hybrid performance with its 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, and a 1.65-kWh battery. The turbo-four engine alone produced 258 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but combined with the electric motors, the Palisade delivered a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission, ensured the Palisade never lagged, whether in town or on the highway. The hybrid system optimized power distribution for improved handling, while noise-absorbing materials kept the cabin quiet. The steering was sharp, though the pedal feel was softer, creating a unique driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, there was 1,370 litres of cargo space, and 453 litres behind the third row. The Highlander featured quick-release latches for easy seat adjustments and a power liftgate on trims above the base LE. The cabin was designed for practicality, with deep cargo pockets, multiple storage ledges, and spacious second-row captain's chairs. However, the third row was less accommodating for adults on longer trips.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid provided 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others like the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90. The battery's position under the front passenger seat slightly reduced second-row legroom, but the Palisade still offered ample space. The third row, while not as spacious as some rivals, was comfortable for shorter journeys. The Palisade's cabin featured dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C outlets, and available captain's chairs. Thoughtful storage solutions, such as a rubberized cargo space and hidden shelves, added to its practicality.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While it lacked wireless connectivity, the system's straightforward layout and hard buttons made it user-friendly. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and a combination of USB and USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system were available on higher trims.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows, and a 14-speaker Bose stereo was available on all but the base model. A 15-watt wireless charging pad and a built-in dashcam were among the tech highlights. The Palisade also introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the engine was off, provided the battery had sufficient charge.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and more. Standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags enhanced safety. The Highlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, 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 a safe-exit alert indicator was included. While the 2026 model hadn't been crash-tested at the time of writing, the 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.