2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger and more assertive look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights added to its appeal, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. The Palisade's body-colour mirrors were heated and powered, with approach lighting included in the top trim. In Canada, 20-inch alloy wheels were standard, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering a new multi-spoke design. A new colour, Robust Emerald, was available for the Ultimate Calligraphy models, adding a subtle elegance to the vehicle's appearance. Inside, the Palisade's interior was stylish and bright, thanks to the dual-pane sunroof. Premium Nappa leather was standard in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, while lower trims featured cloth or leatherette seats. The Palisade offered a range of seating configurations, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution in Volvo's design language, moving away from the boxy shapes of the past. The XC90's front end was stout and solid, with an assertive grille and the iconic "Thor's Hammer" headlights adding a modern flair. The vehicle's dimensions remained rectilinear, but it no longer resembled the toasters of the past. Our test vehicle, in Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Grey paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior featured wood deco inlays and a clean look, with few physical controls, giving it a sophisticated feel.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This made it more powerful than several competitors, including the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with paddle shifters, and in Canada, it came standard with an all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain. The HTRAC AWD system proved capable during a muddy off-road test drive. While not designed for rock-crawling, the Palisade offered a comfortable ride and competitive towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). Its fuel economy was 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the new B6 engine, featuring mild-hybrid technology. This powertrain produced 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than the previous T6 engine. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90's eight-speed automatic transmission provided a seamless driving experience, with quick acceleration and minimal road noise. The vehicle's brakes inspired confidence, and its handling was impressive for its size. While the XC90 lacked extensive off-road features, it offered a simple and enjoyable driving experience.

The midsize Hyundai Palisade comfortably seated seven or eight passengers, with generous legroom in all three rows. The second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row, and the 60/40-split seats folded flat for increased cargo space. The Palisade offered 509 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,297 litres behind the second row, and 2,447 litres with all rear seats folded. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on most trims. The Palisade's interior featured HVAC vents in all rows, ample cupholders, and a well-organized centre console with a phone holder and storage space.

The Volvo XC90's front seats provided a peaceful and pleasant experience, though the minimalist design led to limited storage space. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. The XC90 offered 356 litres of cargo space with the third row in place, 1,183 litres with the third row folded, and 1,856 litres with all rear seats folded. While the XC90 drove like a smaller car, its cargo capacity fell short compared to competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and more. A premium Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims, and multiple devices could connect via Bluetooth. The Palisade offered a 4.2-inch driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. Remote accessibility and management features were enhanced with Hyundai's Bluelink system, allowing remote control of heated and cooled seats.

The Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display ran on Google OS, featuring Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant. The system offered natural-language recognition and integration with Google Home devices. However, many functions were controlled through the touchscreen, which could be frustrating. Keyless entry was standard, and a head-up display was optional.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist I and II were available on higher trims, and a full-display digital rearview mirror was offered on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard on all Palisades.

The Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The XC90's Pilot Assist technology helped maintain distance and lane position, providing a comprehensive safety package.