The 2024 Hyundai Palisade vs. Toyota 4Runner

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade and 2024 Toyota 4Runner offer distinct takes on adventure. The Palisade prioritizes comfort, technology, and everyday driving, while the 4Runner offers off-road prowess and rugged capability. Let’s explore which one might be right for you!

Price

The Palisade strikes a compelling balance between price and features. Starting at around $38K, it offers excellent value across its trim levels. The base SE trim has a generous suite of standard features, including a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, and a driver information display. Higher trims progressively add desirable features like a premium Harman Kardon sound system, ventilated front seats, and a surround-view camera system.

The 4Runner starts at a slightly higher price point of around $42K. However, it’s renowned for its reliability and excellent resale value. While the base SR5 trim offers a solid starting point with features like power windows, air conditioning, and a basic infotainment system, some amenities you might expect, like heated seats or a sunroof, require upgrades on higher trims.

Performance

The Palisade prioritizes a smooth and comfortable ride for everyday driving. Its 3.8L V6 engine produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for merging onto highways and tackling inclines. The standard front-wheel drive (FWD) configuration delivers confident handling on paved roads. In contrast, an optional all-wheel drive (AWD) system is available for those who encounter occasional snow or light off-road conditions.

The 4Runner, on the other hand, prioritizes off-road capability. Its 4.0L V6 engine delivers a slightly lower 270 horsepower but offers a healthy 278 lb-ft of torque, ideal for low-speed maneuvering over rough terrain. Standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) provides a more traditional driving experience, while the available four-wheel drive (4WD) system with low-range gearing transforms it into a formidable off-road machine.

Fuel Efficiency

There’s a clear trade-off between off-road capability and fuel economy. The Palisade’s focus on everyday driving translates to better fuel efficiency figures. It achieves an estimated 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with FWD, making it a more economical choice for long road trips. Opting for AWD slightly reduces those figures to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

The 4Runner’s focus on off-road prowess comes at the expense of fuel efficiency. The 2WD model achieves an estimated 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, while the 4WD system brings those figures down to 15 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. If fuel efficiency is a major concern, the Palisade emerges as the clear winner.

Cargo Space

The Palisade boasts an impressive and versatile cargo area. With all seats in use, it offers 18 cubic feet of space behind the third row, perfect for groceries or weekend luggage. Folding the third row expands that space to 45.8 cubic feet, and folding all the seats down unlocks a cavernous 87 cubic feet of cargo capacity, ideal for larger items or extended camping trips. The spacious and comfortable interior offers ample legroom and headroom for all three rows, making it a comfortable choice for long journeys with the whole family.

The 4Runner provides a decent cargo space with 40 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Folding the seats down expands that space to a respectable 89 cubic feet. However, the focus on off-road capability is evident in the interior design. While comfortable for the front passengers, the rear seats offer less legroom than the Palisade. The interior materials might also feel less luxurious in the lower trims of the 4Runner.

Features

From the base trim upwards, the Palisade is loaded with features. The standard infotainment system features a user-friendly touchscreen interface, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and various standard driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offer even more advanced features like a surround-view camera system, a head-up display, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Lower trims offer a more basic set of features for the 4Runner. The standard infotainment system, while functional, might feel dated to those familiar with the technology. However, the 4Runner offers many of the same safety features as the Palisade, so you won’t be missing much in that regard.

Verdict

If family road trips and running errands are part of your everyday routine, the Palisade’s comfortable ride, luxurious interior, and spacious cargo area make it an enticing choice. However, if you crave off-road exploration and require a vehicle that can handle challenging terrain, the 4Runner’s rugged capability build might be the better option for you.