Hyundai Palisade vs. Honda Pilot: The family three-row SUV segment in America has seen a surge in popularity, with both new contenders and long-standing veterans vying for consumer attention. Among the contenders, the Hyundai Palisade and the Honda Pilot stand out, each bringing its own set of strengths and features to the table.
In this detailed comparison, we will explore various aspects, from pricing and exterior design to interior comfort, technology, and driving experience.
Pricing Breakdown between Hyundai Palisade vs. Honda Pilot
Starting with the price, the fully-loaded Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy with the new Night Edition for 2024 comes in at just over $55,000. On the other hand, the Honda Pilot Elite trim, also fully loaded, is priced at $54,600, making it about $1,000 less than the Palisade. While Honda traditionally tends to be more expensive than Hyundai, the Pilot, in this case, offers a slight cost advantage.
Detailed Exterior Comparison Hyundai Palisade & Honda Pilot
Both the Palisade and the Pilot boast distinctive and stylish exteriors that go beyond the typical family SUV design. The Pilot, redesigned last year, embraces a squared-off, boxy shape that resonates with American preferences. Similarly, the Palisade underwent a significant refresh in the previous year, featuring a boxier grille and a sleek design.
Examining exterior features, both vehicles sport LED lighting arrangements, but the Palisade’s projector LED setup offers a more high-end feel compared to the Pilot’s reflector LEDs. The Pilot, however, includes LED fog lamps. Both SUVs have substantial dimensions, nearly 200 inches in length, translating to generous interior space and roomy cabins.
Moving to the sides, both models showcase large 20-inch wheels with distinct finishes, contributing to their overall stylish appearance. At the rear, they share exposed exhausts, rear wipers, and LED brake lights. The Palisade adds an LED turn signal, although neither offers LED reverse lighting.
In terms of features between Hyundai Palisade vs. Honda Pilot, both models have feature-rich side mirrors, incorporating auto-dimming and blind-spot monitoring. Both also provide comprehensive safety systems as standard, with Hyundai offering a Smart Parking system for added convenience.
The Palisade takes the lead in interior luxury, featuring quilted leather, metal accents, and a suede headliner, creating a more opulent feel compared to the Pilot’s pragmatic approach. The Palisade’s seats, heated, ventilated, and equipped with a power massage function, outshine the Pilot’s leather seats with piping.
Interior Comfort and Technology between Hyundai Palisade & Honda Pilot
Entering the cabins, both models offer smart entry systems, remote start, and high-quality materials. The Palisade, however, excels in material quality, using quilted leather, metal accents, and a suede headliner, delivering a luxury feel akin to premium SUVs. In contrast, the Pilot prioritizes a practical approach, maintaining a refined but less extravagant interior.
Seats in both SUVs are heated, ventilated, and equipped with memory functions, but the Palisade offers a more advanced 14-way power adjustment compared to the Pilot’s 10-way adjustment. The Palisade further distinguishes itself with power-adjustable second-row seats, providing additional comfort options.
Both models feature fully digital gauge clusters, with the Palisade boasting a larger 12.3-inch display and a blind-spot camera system. Both offer head-up displays, providing essential information without diverting attention from the road.
For storage, both SUVs shine, accommodating over a dozen donuts in the console and offering various bins and compartments. The Palisade adds a power-folding third row, while the Pilot introduces a versatile center seat that can be stowed under the floor.
Infotainment systems in both models integrate navigation and passenger intercom systems. The Pilot, however, has faced criticism for its 9-inch display, which falls short of the Palisade’s larger 12-inch display. The Palisade also lacks wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a feature exclusive to the Pilot.
Rear Seats and Cargo Comparison between Hyundai Palisade & Honda Pilot
In the second row, both models provide ample space, with the Palisade holding a slight advantage in legroom. The Palisade introduces ventilated second-row seats and power-folding third-row seats, offering additional features compared to the Pilot.
Moving to the third row, both SUVs offer easy entry with one-touch folding and sliding mechanisms. Both provide USB ports and vents, with the Palisade offering heated third-row seats, a class-exclusive feature not present in the Pilot.
Cargo areas in both models are spacious, with the Pilot enjoying a slight advantage in maximum cargo capacity. The Palisade responds with a power-folding third row, a feature absent in the Pilot.
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Test Drive and Impressions between Hyundai Palisade & Honda Pilot
Under the hood, both the Palisade and the Pilot rely on naturally aspirated V6 engines, delivering nearly identical power figures. Acceleration in both SUVs is smooth and refined, showcasing the traditional V6 charm. While the Palisade offers a larger 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, the Pilot focuses on steering accuracy, delivering a responsive and engaging driving experience.
In terms of sound levels during road trips, both SUVs provide serene environments, with luxury-like sound level ratings at 55 mph. The Palisade, during extensive testing, consistently delivered an impressive ride quality, comparable to luxury SUVs.
Fuel economy ratings are the same for both models, with a combined 21 MPG for their all-wheel-drive configurations. However, real-world testing indicates the Palisade performs slightly better by approximately 2 MPG.
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Other Factors
In a segment marked by fierce competition, the Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot stand as formidable contenders, catering to diverse consumer needs and preferences.
While the Palisade and Pilot have their respective strengths, a crucial aspect to consider is the driving experience. Both models deliver smooth and refined V6 performance, ensuring ample power for various driving scenarios. The Palisade’s 3.8L V6 engine, despite carrying the same power output as the Pilot, performs admirably, demonstrating that power isn’t the sole determinant of a satisfying driving experience.
In the case of the Palisade, it offers a plush ride quality that rivals luxury SUVs, absorbing bumps and imperfections with ease. The Palisade’s Calligraphy trim, with its exclusive night edition features, showcases Hyundai’s commitment to providing a top-tier driving experience. The extensive testing over a week reaffirms the Palisade’s ability to offer a comfortable and quiet ride, making it an ideal choice for long road trips.
On the other hand, the Honda Pilot, while not prioritizing luxury, impresses with its accurate steering and maneuverability. Despite its size, the Pilot feels smaller and more agile than expected, providing a driving experience that aligns with Honda’s reputation for well-balanced handling.
As we circle back to the value proposition, the Hyundai Palisade’s higher initial price is mitigated by its extensive feature set, luxurious interior, and advanced technology. The Honda Pilot, with its slightly lower price point, appeals to consumers who trust the Honda brand for reliability and appreciate the practicality of versatile seating options.
Conclusion: Hyundai Palisade Vs Honda Pilot
The Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot each bring their unique strengths to the three-row SUV segment. The Palisade stands out for its luxurious cabin, advanced features, and impressive third-row amenities. On the other hand, the Pilot offers assurance in Honda’s long-term reliability, versatile seating options, and practical design.
The decision between the Palisade and the Pilot ultimately depends on individual preferences and priorities. If a luxurious interior, advanced technology, and standout features are paramount, the Palisade emerges as a strong contender. However, for those seeking the reliability associated with the Honda brand, along with versatile seating configurations, the Pilot proves to be a reliable and practical choice.
In the competitive landscape of three-row SUVs, the Palisade and Pilot hold their ground as formidable options, catering to a diverse range of consumer needs. Whether seeking opulence or dependability, these SUVs present compelling arguments for those in search of a family-friendly, spacious, and well-equipped vehicle.