If you’re in the market for a 3-row, 8-passenger SUV that’s not quite a massive full-sized beast, don’t worry — there are great options, starting with the 2024 Hyundai Palisade and 2024 Toyota Highlander.
In the past year, each model received a few tweaks to make it more competitive, not just with each other but across the segment.
Let’s find out what’s new and competitive with these two SUVs.
2024 Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade offers an impressive combination of looks, performance, comfort, and technology — critical to success in the 3-row SUV segment. Powered by a 291-horsepower V6 engine, it is almost as much a minivan as an SUV thanks to its interior flexibility and ability to carry as many as eight people.
While there were no exterior changes for 2024, it did get a new trim level, the Calligraphy Night edition. It features a blacked-out exterior, including wheels, with all-wheel drive (AWD) added as standard.
One standard feature we really appreciate in the Palisade is Highway Driving Assist. This semi-autonomous driving system combines various technologies, including adaptive cruise control and lane centering, to make highway driving safer and easier. The available Highway Driving Assist II system can automatically change your speed based on GPS and highway data. Pricing starts at $38,045, including destination charges.
Hyundai Palisade Highlights
Outstanding warranty: Hyundai’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty offer peace of mind for a decade. Hyundai also includes a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.
Safety-minded: Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of safety technology is standard across the Palisade trim levels. It includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and more.
Big screen: The Hyundai Palisade’s impressive 12.3-inch touchscreen makes navigating to your next destination easier, finding the music or podcast of your choice, or ensuring you’ve linked the correct smartphone.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Palisade model near you.
2024 Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander offers ample interior space and great technology, thanks to a few updates last year. It has been a popular entry in this segment for years, especially since it can carry as many as eight passengers.
One of the changes includes a more efficient 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that puts out 265 hp. That’s more than enough power to handle one’s daily errands while boasting a 25 mpg combined, which is better than most competitors in this segment, including the Hyundai Palisade. The Highlander is also available as an efficient hybrid.
With an open, comfortable interior and many technological upgrades, the Highlander is still a vehicle to benchmark in the segment. Pricing starts at $40,665, including destination fees.
Toyota Highlander Highlights
All-wheel drive: The Highlander is available with two versions of all-wheel drive. In its higher trim levels, buyers can choose a Dynamic Torque Vectoring system that can manage torque distribution between the left and right rear wheels, as well as the front and back. It also provides additional inputs to improve driver response.
Connected: Need to connect several devices? All Highlander models have five USB ports throughout the cabin, plus two 12-volt power outlets to power other items.
Safety suite: The brand’s Safety Sense 2.5 comes standard on all Highlander trims. It includes driving aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and even blind-spot monitoring.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Highlander model near you.
Similarities
The Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Highlander are very appealing, with attractive exterior styling, spacious interior cabins, and a vast array of safety and convenience technologies. Both can seat up to eight people across three rows.
Conclusion
The Toyota Highlander is the quiet leader in this segment. Well, it was until Hyundai introduced the Palisade a few years ago. Since then, the competition has gotten tighter. These two are priced similarly, but the Hyundai Palisade enjoys nearly 30 more hp and more interior space. However, the Highlander enjoys more robust fuel economy and a stellar reputation. This one is a real pick ’em.
| 2024 Hyundai Palisade | 2024 Toyota Highlander | |
| Starting Price | $38,045 | $40,665 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.8-liter V6 | 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 265 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg | 22 city/29 highway/25 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid/AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | N/A | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 inches | 112.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 196.7 inches | 194.9 inches |
| Width | 77.8 inches | 76.0 inches |
| Height | 68.9 inches | 68.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.7 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.7 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.1 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 37.8 inches | 36.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 44.1 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 42.4 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 31.4 inches | 28 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.2 inches | 59.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 60.8 inches | 58.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 55.2 inches | 55 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 18.0 cubic feet | 16.0 cubic feet |
