Hyundai Palisade vs the Competition: Is It the Best 3-Row SUV

With so many options available, choosing the right three-row SUV can be overwhelming. The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stands out with its blend of luxury, performance, and value. Let’s compare the Hyundai Palisade to the competition to determine if it’s the best three-row SUV for your needs.

Interior Space and Comfort

When evaluating the best 3-row SUV, interior space and comfort are paramount. Let’s compare the Hyundai Palisade vs the competition:

• Hyundai Palisade: Offers spacious seating for up to eight passengers, with ample legroom in all three rows. Premium materials and available Nappa leather upholstery enhance comfort.
• Kia Telluride: Similar seating capacity and comfort features as the Palisade, with a slightly more rugged interior design.
• Toyota Highlander: This car seats up to eight but has a tighter third row, making it less comfortable for adults.
• Ford Explorer: Seats seven with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row space is adequate but not class-leading.
• Chevrolet Traverse: Offers one of the roomiest third rows, comfortably seating adults.
• Honda Pilot: This car seats up to eight and has a spacious cabin, though some find the seating less supportive on long drives.
• Mazda CX-90: Seats up to eight but has a narrower cabin, making it feel more compact.
• Volkswagen Atlas: Provides generous space in all three rows, with a straightforward interior design.
• Nissan Pathfinder: Seats up to eight with decent space, though the third row is best suited for children.

The Hyundai Palisade excels with its combination of space, comfort, and upscale materials, making it a top choice for families.

Cargo Capacity and Versatility

Cargo space is crucial for families and adventurers alike. Here’s how each SUV stacks up:

• Hyundai Palisade: Provides 18 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with seats folded.
• Kia Telluride: Offers similar cargo space to the Palisade, with a maximum of 87 cubic feet.
• Toyota Highlander: Less cargo space, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row and 84.3 cubic feet total.
• Ford Explorer: Features 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.8 cubic feet.
• Chevrolet Traverse: Leads the class with 23 cubic feet behind the third row and 98.2 cubic feet total.
• Honda Pilot: Offers 18.5 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 87 cubic feet overall.
• Mazda CX-90: Provides 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, with a maximum of 75.2 cubic feet.
• Volkswagen Atlas: Features 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 96.8 cubic feet total.
• Nissan Pathfinder: Offers 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 80.5 cubic feet.

While the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas offer ample cargo space, the Palisade provides a balanced combination of cargo capacity and interior refinement.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a top priority for SUV buyers. Here’s how each model compares:

• Hyundai Palisade: Equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, and lane-keeping assist.
• Kia Telluride: Offers similar safety features to the Palisade, with Kia Drive Wise technology.
• Toyota Highlander: Comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including pre-collision system and dynamic radar cruise control.
• Ford Explorer: Features Ford Co-Pilot360, offering standard driver-assist technologies. MarketWatch
• Chevrolet Traverse: Includes Chevy Safety Assist, with features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.
• Honda Pilot: Equipped with Honda Sensing, providing collision mitigation braking and road departure mitigation.
• Mazda CX-90: Offers i-Activsense safety features, including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
• Volkswagen Atlas: Comes with IQ.DRIVE, featuring travel assist and emergency assist.
• Nissan Pathfinder: Includes Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering rear cross-traffic alert and high beam assist.

The Hyundai Palisade stands out with its comprehensive standard safety features, providing peace of mind for families.

Technology and Connectivity

Modern SUVs are expected to offer advanced technology, but how does the Hyundai Palisade stack up to the competition?

• Hyundai Palisade: Features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and available in-car Wi-Fi.
• Kia Telluride: Offers a 12.3-inch display with similar connectivity features as the Palisade.
• Toyota Highlander: Comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on higher trims.
• Ford Explorer: Features a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen with SYNC® 4 technology.
• Chevrolet Traverse: Equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch touchscreen available on higher trims.
• Honda Pilot: Offers a 7-inch touchscreen, with a 9-inch touchscreen available on higher trims.
• Mazda CX-90: Features a 10.25-inch center display with Mazda Connect™.
• Volkswagen Atlas: Comes with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen available.
• Nissan Pathfinder: Offers an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 9-inch available on higher trims.

The Hyundai Palisade leads with its large standard touchscreen and comprehensive connectivity features, enhancing the driving experience.

Performance and Handling

Performance is crucial for both daily driving and long trips. Let’s compare the Hyundai Palisade vs the competition and find out which is the best.

• Hyundai Palisade: Powered by a 3.8L V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower, providing smooth and confident acceleration.
• Kia Telluride: Shares the same engine and performance characteristics as the Palisade.
• Toyota Highlander: Equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine producing 295 horsepower, offering responsive performance.
• Ford Explorer: Features a 2.3L turbocharged engine with 300 horsepower, delivering strong performance.
• Chevrolet Traverse: Powered by a 3.6L V6 engine with 310 horsepower, providing robust acceleration.
• Honda Pilot: Comes with a 3.5L V6 engine producing 285 horsepower, offering smooth handling.
• Mazda CX-90: Features a 3.3L turbocharged inline-six engine delivering up to 340 horsepower, emphasizing performance.
• Volkswagen Atlas: Equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 269 horsepower, offering balanced performance.
• Nissan Pathfinder: Powered by a 3.5L V6 engine with 284 horsepower, providing reliable performance.

The Hyundai Palisade offers a compelling balance of power and smooth handling, making it a strong performer in its class.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel economy is a significant consideration for families looking to minimize fuel costs without sacrificing performance. Here’s how the 2025 Hyundai Palisade compares to other leading 3-row SUVs:

• Hyundai Palisade: Delivers an EPA-estimated 19 MPG city and 26 MPG highway, balancing power and efficiency.
• Kia Telluride: Offers similar fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 20 MPG city and 26 MPG highway.
• Toyota Highlander: Equipped with a 2.4L turbocharged engine, it achieves up to 22 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. The hybrid variant excels with 35 MPG in both city and highway driving.
• Ford Explorer: Features a turbocharged engine delivering 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway.
• Chevrolet Traverse: Achieves 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway with its 2.5L turbocharged engine.
• Honda Pilot: Provides 19 MPG city and 27 MPG highway, offering a balance between performance and efficiency.
• Mazda CX-90: Stands out with 24 MPG city and 28 MPG highway, thanks to its mild hybrid system.
• Volkswagen Atlas: Delivers 20 MPG city and 26 MPG highway in its FWD configuration.
• Nissan Pathfinder: Offers 21 MPG city and 27 MPG highway, making it a competitive option in its class.

While some competitors offer slightly better fuel economy, the Hyundai Palisade provides a commendable balance of power and efficiency, ensuring that drivers don’t have to compromise on performance for fuel savings.

Why the Hyundai Palisade May Be the Best Option

After evaluating key factors such as interior space, cargo capacity, safety features, technology, performance, and fuel efficiency, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade emerges as a well-rounded contender in the 3-row SUV segment. Its spacious and luxurious interior, combined with advanced safety and technology features, offers families a comfortable and secure driving experience. While some competitors may excel in specific areas, the Palisade’s overall package, backed by Hyundai’s reputation for reliability and value, positions it as a top choice for those seeking the best 3-row SUV.

Explore the Hyundai Palisade at Suntrup Hyundai South

At Suntrup Hyundai South in St. Louis, our trusted team guides drivers through every step of finding the ideal SUV. With a full selection of 2025 Hyundai Palisade models on hand, there’s no better place to see how the Hyundai Palisade vs the competition plays out in real life. Stop by our showroom or schedule a test drive today and experience why the Palisade continues to be a leading choice for families seeking the best 3-row SUV.