Hyundai Palisade Hybrid vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid: Full 2025 Comparison
If you’re in the market for a midsize three-row SUV, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid and Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid are two of the most compelling options. Both SUVs offer strong practicality, technology, and family-friendly features. We tested them extensively to see which comes out on top.
Price & Trims
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited: Costs just over $57,000, with the Platinum trim at about $3,000 more. Limited trim is considered the sweet spot.
Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy: Top trim costs slightly more than the Grand Highlander Limited, but offers better interior quality and features. Mid-grade trims like the XRT also provide great value.
Performance & Driving
Engine & Acceleration
Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX: Offers two hybrid options. MAX powertrain accelerates 0–60 mph in 6.1 seconds, making it “the quickest midsize three-row SUV we’ve tested that’s non-electric or not German luxury.” Fuel efficiency: ~27 MPG combined.
Palisade Hybrid: Solves slow gas version issue (0–60 mph in 7.4 seconds, 40 more horsepower than gas). Front-wheel drive: 34 MPG, AWD: 29 MPG. Suspension remains “ultra comfortable,” with smooth braking and seamless regenerative system.
Handling & Ride
Both SUVs are tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling. Hyundai offers Highway Drive Assist 2 with automatic lane changes, excellent visibility, and surround-view camera system.
Toyota has traffic jam assist, but only up to 25 mph, which can be annoying in real-world traffic.
Fuel Economy
Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX: Estimated MPG close to 27–28 in real-world conditions, slightly lower with the MAX powertrain (~24 MPG recorded).
Palisade Hybrid: FWD: 34 MPG, AWD: 29 MPG combined. Slightly better real-world fuel economy than Toyota.
Warranty Comparison:
Toyota: 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain, 2 years/25,000 miles free maintenance (roughly $500 value).
Hyundai: 5 years/60,000 miles basic, 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain — best-in-class coverage.
Exterior & First Impressions
Grand Highlander Hybrid: “If you are into substance over style, then the Grand Highlander Hybrid is going to be right up your alley.” Conservative styling with big windows and thin pillars ensures excellent visibility. Wide door openings make getting in and out easy.
Palisade Hybrid: “A $90,000 interior in a $60,000 car, gets us every time.” Exterior styling complements a mid-century modern-inspired interior, with soft curves and an elegant, luxurious feel. Unlike the Grand Highlander, the Palisade has personality in both exterior and interior design.
Interior & Comfort
Front Seats
Grand Highlander: Leather upholstery, heating and ventilation (though “a bit weaker than competitors”), and plenty of support. Seat bottoms are firm. Minimal piano black trim reduces fingerprints.
Palisade: Nappa leather in Calligraphy trim, front seats slightly more comfortable and supportive than Toyota. Includes relaxation mode footrest, allowing passengers to recline fully during long drives.
Small Item Storage
Grand Highlander: “There’s plenty of space up here for all your everyday items…a pretty large bin, a very handy shelf in front of the passenger, and the center console storage bin is deep.” Cup holders are small but functional, and clever bottle storage exists.
Palisade: Center console doubles as a UV sanitization chamber, slightly smaller than Toyota’s, but larger cup holders fit bigger bottles. Also offers a small storage area in front of the console for purses or small bags.
Second Row
Grand Highlander: Seats are heated, with good legroom and travel adjustment. Ceiling vents and USB-C ports make rear passengers comfortable. Car seats are easy to install; wide door openings make access simple.
Palisade: Heated and ventilated second-row seats, power recline, and ceiling vents. “In some ways, this second row is actually more comfortable than the first row of other SUVs.” Safety features include door alert system that warns if a biker or vehicle is approaching when opening the door.
Third Row
Grand Highlander: “You can access the third row one of two ways…between the captain’s chairs or move the seats out of the way. Manual lever is a bit hard to operate.” Plenty of legroom and headroom, plus USB-C ports and ceiling vents.
Palisade: “Powered sliding third-row seats, not just reclining…can go forward and back. Even with a car seat installed, you don’t need to remove it.” Ample headroom and legroom, with USB ports, ceiling vents, and big windows.
Technology & Infotainment
Grand Highlander: 12.3-inch touchscreen, physical buttons for frequently used functions, Google-based navigation, voice commands (requires paid data subscription), wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Charging options: wireless pad and three USB-C ports.
Palisade: Also a 12.3-inch touchscreen, simple menu structure, wireless CarPlay and Auto. Includes unique features like integrated dashcam and live blind spot view in the instrument cluster. Charging ports output 100 watts, capable of powering laptops or tablets.
Cargo & Storage
Grand Highlander: “Beats the Palisade on raw cargo volume.” Foot-activated power liftgate. Large suitcase fits easily behind third row. Cargo area lacks seat-lowering levers; seats must be folded manually. Flat cargo floor when seats down.
Palisade: Slightly smaller cargo volume but more features and flexibility. Power sliding third-row seats allow easier loading of large items. Seats can move forward to fit large suitcases even with third row occupied.
Safety Features
Both SUVs come with advanced driver-assist systems and adaptive cruise control.
Palisade offers additional safety features like live blind spot monitor and child exit alerts.
Both have excellent visibility and rear-view camera systems.
Value & Verdict
Grand Highlander: Offers more cargo space and MAX hybrid performance. Limited trim is a good value.
Palisade Hybrid: Tops the Highlander in interior quality, technology, comfort, features, and X factor. Strong warranties and slightly better fuel economy make it the better long-term investment.
Summary of Strengths
| Category | Grand Highlander | Palisade Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Space | ✅ Larger | ⚠ Slightly less, but smarter features |
| Interior Quality | ⚠ Functional | ✅ Luxurious, high-quality materials |
| Front/Second Row Comfort | ⚠ Good | ✅ Very comfortable, relaxation modes |
| Third Row Access | ⚠ Manual | ✅ Powered sliding |
| Technology | ⚠ Good | ✅ Dashcam, live blind spot, better charging |
| Performance | ✅ Fastest 0-60 in MAX | ✅ More balanced hybrid power |
| Safety | ⚠ Standard | ✅ Extra attention to detail |
| Fuel Economy | ⚠ ~24 MPG real-world | ✅ 26–29 MPG real-world |
| Value | ⚠ Decent | ✅ High, best warranty & features |
| X Factor | ⚠ Moderate | ✅ Stands out visually & technologically |
Conclusion:
While the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is excellent for passenger and cargo space, the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid outshines it in nearly every other aspect: comfort, luxury, technology, fuel efficiency, and value. For most families, the Palisade Hybrid is the better pick, although the Highlander may appeal to those seeking maximum cargo space or the MAX hybrid powertrain.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which SUV has more passenger space, Hyundai Palisade or Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Grand Highlander Hybrid has more raw passenger room and cargo space, especially in the third row. However, the Palisade Hybrid compensates with additional features, comfort, and powered third-row seats.
2. How do the interiors of both SUVs compare?
The Palisade Hybrid features Nappa leather, mid-century modern-inspired design, and fully powered seats with relaxation mode. The Grand Highlander Hybrid has leather upholstery and a functional, conservative interior with fewer luxury touches.
3. What are the performance differences?
The Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX is faster (0–60 mph in 6.1 seconds), while the Palisade Hybrid hybrid solves the gas version’s slowness, accelerating 0–60 mph in 7.4 seconds. Both SUVs offer smooth rides and hybrid efficiency, with the Palisade slightly edging in real-world fuel economy.
4. Which SUV has better technology features?
Both SUVs offer a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Palisade Hybrid includes additional features like an integrated dashcam, live blind spot monitor in the instrument cluster, and 100W USB-C charging ports.
5. How do cargo areas compare?
The Grand Highlander Hybrid offers more raw cargo volume, but the Palisade Hybrid has powered sliding third-row seats that make loading larger items easier. Both feature flat cargo floors and practical layouts.
6. Which SUV offers better warranty and value?
The Palisade Hybrid has a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is best-in-class. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid has a standard three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty with limited free maintenance.
7. Which SUV is better for families?
For families, the Palisade Hybrid edges out due to its **powered third-row seats**, **comfortable second and third rows**, **child exit alert**, and **better overall interior experience**. The Grand Highlander may appeal if raw space or MAX hybrid performance is the priority.
