2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade stood out in Hyundai's lineup as a flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It boasted an elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of being unimaginative. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a signature look. Its design elements, such as the continuous strip of glass surfaces and pronounced taillights, added to its visual appeal. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and near-luxury experience with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and spacious seating arrangements, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased Volvo's evolution from its boxy past to a more refined and purposeful design. The XC90's front end was solid yet understated, with the recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights adding a modern touch. Its dimensions leaned toward rectilinear, but it no longer resembled the utilitarian designs of the past. The XC90's interior was elegant, featuring a minimalist design with luxurious materials like Nappa leather and wood deco inlays. The cabin offered a clean and peaceful ambiance, though it lacked some storage space for smaller items.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine choice was a nod to traditional powertrains, offering a baritone rumble and quick acceleration without turbo lag. Despite its power, the Palisade's fuel efficiency was moderate, with consumption estimates of 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.6 on the highway. The Palisade's handling was commendable, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars, and it could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine, a mild-hybrid powertrain with a supercharger and turbo, delivering 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the fuel economy benefits were minimal, the mild-hybrid system contributed to smoother operation and aligned with Volvo's electrification goals. The XC90 offered a refined driving experience with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Its handling was impressive for its size, and the brakes provided a confident feel. The XC90's driving dynamics were straightforward, with limited customizable options, appealing to those who preferred simplicity.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality, offering comfortable seating across all rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were notably comfortable. The Palisade offered ample storage, including a spacious luggage area with 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with all seats folded. The shift-by-wire gear selector and logically placed controls added to the convenience. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured luxury touches like a dual-panel sunroof and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant but had some space limitations. The front seats were comfortable, but storage for smaller items was lacking. The second row was reasonably spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging. The XC90 offered 356 litres of cargo space with the third row in place, expanding to 1,856 litres with all seats folded. While the XC90 drove like a smaller car, its overall interior space fell short compared to some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology, with a standard 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen and a premium Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims. The infotainment system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a head-up display and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, offering remote functions and vehicle monitoring. The digital instrument cluster integrated with turn signals and blind-spot cameras, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, with built-in Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant. The system offered natural-language recognition and integration with Google Home devices. However, some functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to potential frustration. Keyless entry was standard, and a head-up display was optional. While the tech was impressive, the lack of physical controls could be a drawback for some users.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured a comprehensive list of passive and active safety features, including seven airbags, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centring.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, with a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It offered advanced driver safety tech, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist technology provided support for maintaining distance and lane positioning, enhancing safety on the road.