2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children into car seats, even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey offered a comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool groups with ease. It also boasted significant cargo space, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded down or removed. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey managed to incorporate a sense of style, with its kinked sliding doors and dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels on the Touring trim. The interior was spacious and functional, with leather upholstery and a well-organized centre stack, although the switchgear placement initially seemed haphazard.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, presented a more elegant and striking design, shedding any past criticisms of Hyundai's styling. Its exterior featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches, giving it a sophisticated look. The Palisade's interior was equally polished, with high-quality materials and a horizontally arrayed 12.3-inch touchscreen. The second row offered either a bench or captain's chairs, and the third row was spacious enough for adults on short rides. The Ultimate Calligraphy model stood out with its Steel Graphite paint and luxurious black interior. Overall, the Palisade was a worthy flagship for Hyundai, combining near-luxury fit and finish with a practical and comfortable cabin.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. While it lacked the all-wheel drive and hybrid options available in some competitors, the Odyssey offered a Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During a test drive, it averaged 10.4 L/100 km. The Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling, but its brakes tended to heat up on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade came with a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing for improved power and efficiency. The Palisade's fuel consumption was estimated at 12.3 L/100 km in the city, 9.6 on the highway, and 11.1 combined. Despite its middling efficiency, the Palisade offered a satisfying engine note and quick acceleration. It handled well, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. The Palisade could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with its wide-opening doors and lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The tri-zone automatic climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers. The Odyssey excelled in storage space, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. Its Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey provided 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded and 3,984 litres with the second row removed.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade provided comfortable seating throughout the cabin, with easy access to the third row. The second-row captain's chairs were particularly comfortable, and the front row offered ample storage options. Luggage space measured 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded and 2,447 litres with both rows down. The Palisade featured a compact shift-by-wire setup, freeing up space on the centre console. It also offered a dual-panel sunroof on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. Heated and ventilated seats, a hands-free liftgate, and power-folding third-row seats were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear passengers. The rear entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch display, but it was considered outdated compared to competitors. The Touring trim also offered an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was criticized for its small screen and lack of a tuning knob, and its navigation system required specific voice commands.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system on all but the base trim. The infotainment system included wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade featured multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added a head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system was standard on higher trims, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing was criticized for its lack of refinement, with some features responding too sharply or issuing invalid warnings. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of safety features, including seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance assist. It also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and trailer sway control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centring. The Palisade received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.