2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade represented a significant step forward for Hyundai, taking over from various past flagships like the Santa Fe, Veracruz, and Santa Fe XL. The Palisade stood at the top of Hyundai's SUV lineup, making a bold statement with its elegant and sophisticated exterior design. Early Hyundai designs were often critiqued for lacking originality, but the Palisade shook off that legacy.

Its exterior featured distinctive lines, starting with a prominent grille and extending to crisp shoulder lines and a tasteful tailgate. A unique mix of planes and curves, enhanced by sculpted wheel arches, added visual intrigue. One striking feature was a continuous strip of glass running from the C-pillar around the tailgate to the opposite C-pillar, creating an illusion of a floating rear roof and hiding the D-pillar from view. The taillights, LED on higher trims like Limited and Calligraphy, offered high visibility and added to its allure. Up front, expressive LED headlights, running lights, and accents gave it a signature look. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels on SE and SEL trims completed the package, making the Palisade a strong contender even in an Infiniti lineup, a notable compliment.

Inside, the Palisade continued its impressive display with an elegant and refined cabin. The horizontally arrayed screen (available in 8 inches on SE and SEL; 10.25 inches on Limited and Calligraphy) atop the center stack was a highlight. The substantial center console anchored the dashboard, with high-quality materials visible throughout. The second row offered comfortable captain's chairs (standard on SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy) or a bench (standard on SE, optional on SEL), while the spacious third row could accommodate adults for short trips or children comfortably. The fit and finish approached luxury-car standards, especially in the Calligraphy model we tested, which dazzled with Steel Graphite paint and a black interior.

Volvo had come a long way from making boxy, utilitarian vehicles like the 240dl and early 700 series. The 2023 Volvo XC90 embodied this evolution with a purposeful yet understated design. Its stout and solid front end was assertive without being overly flashy. The grille was bold but balanced in size, and the recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch absent from older Volvo models.

Our XC90 Ultimate trim test vehicle featured large 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, injecting drama into its otherwise composed demeanor. The Platinum Gray paint, with its brown undertones, added a touch of richness, though Volvo's palette remained largely conservative with shades of blue, black, white, and gray dominating.

Inside, the XC90 excelled with stylish elegance. The two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery created an inviting atmosphere. The interior also had a touch of nature with wood deco inlays across the dash and center console. The minimalist design resulted in a clean look, though it sometimes traded away practical storage solutions.

The Palisade bucked the turbocharged trend with its naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine. This engine, employing gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was also Atkinson-cycle-capable, a feature commonly found in hybrids to save fuel, and included auto-stop-and-go settings to reduce idle times.

The EPA estimated the Palisade's fuel economy at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models, and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. While not class-leading, these numbers reflected a balance between power and efficiency. The lack of turbocharging meant the Palisade delivered power without lag, a bonus complemented by a pleasing engine note.

Weighing between 4,127 and 4,387 pounds depending on configuration, the Palisade featured four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear. Higher trims even included a self-leveling suspension system. This setup provided a smooth ride and commendable handling for its size. The Palisade could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it versatile for various driving needs.

For 2023, Volvo introduced new B5 and B6 engines in the XC90, featuring mild-hybrid technology. This change, while minimally reducing horsepower, improved fuel efficiency and smoothed operations. The B5 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the B6 setup, combining a turbocharger, supercharger, and mild-hybrid tech, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

The mild-hybrid system, though not capable of full electric propulsion, powered a 13-volt starter generator, handling tasks like ignition and climate control. This setup made the fuel-saving auto stop-start feature almost imperceptible, enhancing the overall driving experience. During testing, the XC90 impressed with its acceleration and smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. Its ride comfort and cabin insulation kept noise levels low.

The XC90 handled confidently despite its size, aided by its big wheels and low-profile tires. The brake system inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. Notably, the XC90 resisted the trend of off-road-oriented SUVs, focusing instead on smooth highway driving with its all-wheel-drive system.

Designed as a versatile family vehicle, the Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality. The third row provided comfortable seating with easy access and included cupholders. The second row, available as captain's chairs or a bench, offered ample legroom and headroom, with door panels and seatback pockets adding storage convenience.

Cargo capacity behind the third row measured 18.0 cubic feet. Folding the third row expanded space to 45.8 cubic feet, and with both the second and third rows down, a vast 86.4 cubic feet became available. An additional underfloor storage compartment added a few extra cubic feet. Roof rails supported up to 220 pounds of cargo.

Hyundai's compact shift-by-wire setup, consisting of four buttons on the center console, was space-efficient. The intuitive AWD mode selector and logically arranged controls made driving straightforward. Higher trims featured luxurious amenities like a dual-panel sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, premium Nappa leather, and a power-folding third row. These elements elevated the Palisade's appeal to near-luxury levels.

The XC90's front seats offered a serene and aesthetically pleasing space, but its minimalist design led to some practical limitations. Storage for smaller items was minimal, with no dedicated space for cell phones and a limited center console bin. The USB port for phone connection was inconveniently located.

Second-row seating was comfortable and reasonably spacious, but adjusting these seats proved challenging. The seven-passenger configuration, with a second-row bench, made accessing the third row difficult. Swapping to six-passenger seating with captain's chairs cost an extra $500 and required upgrading to the B6 engine.

Cargo space in the XC90 started at 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. Maximum capacity, with all rear seats down, was 65.5 cubic feet, falling short of competitors like the Genesis GV80 and Acura MDX.

The XC90's smaller footprint made it more maneuverable than some other three-row SUVs, but it sacrificed cargo capacity as a result.

Hyundai's technological advancements were evident in the Palisade. The standard display on SE and SEL models used an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while Limited and Calligraphy trims boasted a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen. The higher trims also featured a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers and advanced sound enhancement technology like QuantumLogic surround sound and Clari-Fi music restoration.

The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio, with up to two devices able to connect simultaneously. The first row featured three USB ports, while the second and third rows (in higher trims) had two each. Wireless charging, multiple 12-volt power outlets, and a 115-volt outlet on higher trims enhanced convenience. A surround-view monitor, head-up display, and Blue Link connected car system were available, providing remote start and vehicle monitoring.

Higher trims also replaced analog gauges with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, integrating turn signal and blind-spot monitor cameras.

The XC90's tech centerpiece was a 9-inch vertically oriented touchscreen running Google OS, integrating Android Auto's features directly. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant came standard, enhancing usability with natural language recognition.

However, Volvo's minimalist approach led to frustrations as many essential functions were accessible only through the touchscreen. Adjusting features like the heated steering wheel or driver’s seat position required navigating the interface, potentially distracting drivers.

Despite these challenges, the Google OS offered seamless integration with Google Home devices, allowing remote car commands. The 12.3-inch driver information display worked well with Google Maps, providing intuitive navigation.

Hyundai packed the Palisade with a comprehensive list of safety features, leading to top ratings. Passive safety included seven airbags, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, a power window lock-out button, rear child-safety locks, and more. The Palisade's active safety and driver assistance technologies were extensive, featuring anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, reverse parking distance warning, rear occupant alert, and forward collision-avoidance with pedestrian detection.

These technologies supported Volvo’s Pilot Assist system, which maintained distance and managed speeds up to highway levels. Importantly, these safety features came standard, ensuring all XC90 drivers benefited from Volvo's safety expertise.