2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, which replaced the Santa Fe XL as Hyundai's flagship SUV, boasted an elegant and striking exterior design. It featured distinctive lines and shapes, from its prominent grille to its crisp shoulder lines and tasteful tailgate. The SUV's profile was enhanced by a thoughtful mix of planes and curves, highlighted by sculpted wheel arches. A continuous strip of glass surfaces ran from the C-pillar around the tailgate to the opposite C-pillar, creating the impression of a floating rear roof. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and elegant interior with high-quality materials and finishes. The horizontally arrayed 12.3-inch touchscreen and beefy centre console anchored the dash, while the spacious second and third rows provided ample room for passengers.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV styling cues. It featured a macho front end and re-engineered door hinges to bury the slider channel below the rear side window frame. The overall profile was assertive, with styling details integrated into the rear fender well. Inside, the Sienna avoided the minivan/school bus feel with an uncluttered design and clever storage solutions. The second and third rows offered comfortable, roomy seating, with available captain's chairs and a spacious three-across bench in the third row. The third row was a 60/40-split bench that easily stored away into the floor, providing flexibility for cargo and passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 gasoline engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a balance of power and efficiency. Despite its power, the Palisade's fuel consumption was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 9.6 on the highway, and 11.1 combined. The Palisade's curb weight ranged from 1,991 to 2,004 kilograms, and it featured a four-wheel independent suspension for a smooth ride. It could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna, continuing with its hybrid powertrain, combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. The Sienna offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. Its electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth power delivery and maximized fuel efficiency. The Sienna's fuel consumption was impressive, with estimates of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 6.5 on the highway, and 6.6 combined for FWD models. The Sienna's handling was enhanced by the Toyota Next Generation Architecture platform, providing a comfortable and stable ride.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and versatile interior, with comfortable seating in all three rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders on each side, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row featured ample storage, including two compartments in the centre console and a locking glove box. Luggage space behind the third row measured 509 litres, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded, and 2,447 litres with both the second and third rows folded. The Palisade's roof rails could hold up to 100 kilograms of cargo.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo capacity, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading luggage and freight, with cargo measurements of 949 litres behind the third row, 2,129 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row. The Sienna's 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored away into the floor, and all rows featured storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a rear liftgate added convenience for families on the go.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology, with a standard 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 on Ultimate Calligraphy models. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system was standard on higher trims, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available on select trims.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. While it lacked wireless connectivity for these features, the Sienna included Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming, Qi wireless phone charging on higher trims, and a 1500-watt inverter with a 120-volt AC outlet. The audio system ranged from a six-speaker setup on the base trim to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display was available, and a digital rearview mirror provided a clear view of the road behind.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured a comprehensive suite of passive and active safety features, including seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection. The Palisade also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The Sienna featured 10 airbags, LATCH child-seat connectors, and a rear-seat reminder system. Tire-pressure monitoring and an inflator kit were standard, with an optional spare tire for added convenience.