Toyota Sequoia vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the 1794 Edition trim, was a striking presence on the road, especially with its Lunar Rock paint. Despite being a few years into its current generation, the Sequoia remained a rarity, turning heads with its unique styling. However, the interior was a mix of luxury and practicality, with Saddle Tan leather upholstery and open-pore walnut wood trim absent in the U.S. market. The cabin was predominantly covered in Toyota-grade plastic, which detracted from the overall premium feel. In Canada, the Sequoia lineup offered a range of trims, from the base SR5 TRD Off-road to the luxurious Capstone, with prices ranging from $87,174 to $106,175, excluding the federal luxury tax on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was a testament to modern design and functionality. Available in Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, it integrated seamlessly into the existing Palisade lineup. The exterior boasted a massive grille, LED lighting, and sleek body-colour heated side mirrors. The rear was equally impressive, with wide-spaced lettering and discreet exhaust placement. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid offered a harmonious blend of style and comfort, with features like H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery and advanced seating options. The interior design was thoughtfully crafted, with organic shapes and well-considered storage solutions, providing a richer sense of craftsmanship compared to its competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was powered by an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine with an electric motor and a 1.87-kWh battery. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, making it a muscular performer. However, its fuel economy was less than stellar, averaging 14.5 L/100 km in real-world testing, despite official figures suggesting 11.7 L/100 km. The Sequoia excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 4,137 kilograms, but its driving dynamics were compromised by a solid rear axle and rear-mounted battery pack, leading to a jittery ride and limited off-road capability.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, on the other hand, redefined hybrid performance with its 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery. This combination produced a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, ensuring lively acceleration and smooth highway cruising. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and next-generation hybrid system contributed to its efficient power delivery and handling. The Palisade Hybrid also impressed with its quiet cabin, thanks to noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass, although the engine's noise was noticeable under hard acceleration. The steering was precise, but the pedal feel was somewhat soft, creating a slight disconnect in driver inputs.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia offered seating for up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for shorter individuals due to limited headroom. The Platinum and Capstone trims featured luxurious 10-way power adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Access to the rear seats was facilitated by long rear doors, but these proved cumbersome in tight spaces. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres available with the third row in use, expanding to 1,387 litres with the seats folded. The maximum cargo volume was 2,460 litres, which was less than many rivals.

In comparison, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid provided a more spacious and comfortable cabin. While its total cargo capacity of 2,455 litres trailed some competitors, it offered more room than others in its class. The second-row legroom was slightly compromised by the battery placement, but the third row remained competitive. The Palisade Hybrid excelled in comfort, with dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C outlets, and available captain's chairs. The interior was filled with practical storage solutions, including a centre console with a rubberized cargo space and cleverly designed door pockets.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, starting from the Limited trim. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system offered various connected services, though many required active subscriptions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 14-speaker JBL sound system on higher trims. The system's usability was marred by the absence of a tuning knob, and the voice recognition system had limitations in executing certain commands.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, providing a balanced and user-friendly interface. It supported HD and Sirius XM radio, as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows, and a 14-speaker Bose stereo was available on higher trims. A standout feature was the built-in dashcam on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, offering front and rear views. The Palisade Hybrid also introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the engine was off.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the lane assist features were often intrusive, leading to false warnings and a less satisfying driving experience. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid boasted an extensive array 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 a notable inclusion, providing a camera feed of blind spots in the gauge cluster. The Palisade Hybrid's ADAS tech performed flawlessly during testing, and while crash-test ratings were not yet available, the 2025 model received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.