Head-to-head
2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander edges it, 82.6 to 79.3, on safety, fuel & range, space & cargo. The Hyundai Palisade is ahead on tech & comfort and price. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 3.9 and it flips.
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2025 Hyundai Palisade
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Palisade FWD, is EPA-rated at …
vs
B2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Grand Highla…
Verdict · default weights
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
Slight edgeThe Toyota Grand Highlander edges it, 82.6 to 79.3, on safety, fuel & range, space & cargo. The Hyundai Palisade is ahead on tech & comfort and price. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 3.9 and it flips.
Tech & comfort 2025 Hyundai Palisade leads by 65.4
Safety 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander leads by 39
Fuel & range 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander leads by 39.2
| Category · weight | 2025 Toyota Grand Highlanderoverall 82.6 | 2025 Hyundai Palisadeoverall 79.3 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 91 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 60.8 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 83.2 | 44.2 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 88.1 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 92.7 | 96.1 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 34.6 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 82.6 | 79.3 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Hyundai Palisade: open park-outside / do-not-drive advisory (−25)
Toyota Grand Highlander: base trim LE FWD · Hyundai Palisade: base trim SE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 3.9 and the answer flips.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (75 against 248 filed with NHTSA).
- It costs $1,200 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $3,050).
- It is rated 36 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2025 Hyundai Palisade answers
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (52 points against 18 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 16.
What they share
- 8 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
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Specifications side by side
53 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $40,860 | $37,200 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | 2,393 cc | 3,778 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Turbo | Lambda II 3.8L Atkinson Cycle GDI D-CVVT 24-Valve 6-cylinder |
| Fuel injection system | D-4S | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | Dual-CVVT |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 265 hp | 291 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 21 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 24 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 28 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.329 | 3.510 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | Direct Shift 8AT | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 7.9 in |
| Overall height | 70.1 in | 68.9 in |
| Overall length | 201 in | 197 in |
| Overall width | 78.3 in | 77.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 116 in | 114 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 97.5 cu-ft | 86.4 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 57.9 cu-ft | 45.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 20.6 cu-ft | 18 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 153 cu-ft | 173 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.5 in | 40.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.2 in | 40.1 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.2 in | 37.8 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.7 in | 44.1 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39.5 in | 42.4 in |
| Third-row legroom | 33.5 in | 31.4 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,290 lbs | 4,226 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,290 lbs | 4,171 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,040 lbs | 5,732 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | MacPherson strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link with stabilizer bar | Multi-link Independent, separated spring & shocks |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Steering (EPS); electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion | Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion, column-mounted |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19 ft | 38.7 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 340 mm | 340 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 339 mm | 305 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 245/60 R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.8 gal | 18.8 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Bluelink |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 60.2 in | 61.2 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.8 in | 60.8 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 57.5 in | 55.2 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
145 features · differences first, then sharedSafety23 differ · 34 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection & JT | — | std |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go & Curve Control | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection & JT | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger airbag (2) | — | std |
| Highway Driving Assist – HDA I | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist | — | std |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go & Curve Control | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning | — | std |
| Front (2) and 2nd row (2) side impact airbags | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning – Reverse | — | std |
| Safe Exit Assist | — | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors and driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | std | — |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | std | — |
| Haptic Feedback (steering wheel) | — | std |
| High Beam Assist | — | std |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats and tether anchor on third-row seats | std | — |
| Rear Occupant Alert (door-logic system) | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) | std | — |
| Vehicle stability management | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist | std | std |
| Front (2) and 2nd row (2) side impact airbags | std | std |
| Rear view monitor with parking guidance | std | std |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | std | std |
| ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | std | std |
| Driver Knee Airbag (1) | std | std |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and brake assist | std | std |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and brake assist | std | std |
| Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with individual tire indicator | std | std |
Infotainment16 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wifi Hotspot | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free w/ wireless audio streaming | — | std |
| Seven USB-C ports (one media port and six charging ports) and two 12V outlets | std | — |
| 6-speaker audio system | std | — |
| Android Auto & Apple CarPlay | — | std |
| Audio controls (Volume up/down, Seek up/down, Mode) | — | std |
| Bluelink® Connected Car System | — | std |
| Bluelink® Connected Car System / Over-the-Air (OTA) map updates / Wifi Hotspot | — | std |
| Dynamic Voice Recognition | — | std |
| HD Radio | — | std |
| Multiple Device Connection (up to two devices) | — | std |
| Over-the-Air (OTA) map updates | — | std |
| Paddle Shifters | — | std |
| Rear Seat Quiet Mode | — | std |
| Siriusxm | — | std |
| Three 1st row & Two 2nd row 2.1-amp USB outlets (1x USB-A 2.0 Power/Data & 4x USB-C Power) | — | std |
| 12.3" color touchscreen with onboard Navigation & Traffic flow including incident data via HD Radio (HERE) | std | std |
Convenience9 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12-volt outlet – 4 total: 2 Fr, 1 Rr, 1 cargo | — | std |
| Height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection | std | — |
| Power door and liftgate locks | — | std |
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature | std | — |
| Power windows with auto up/down in all positions and jam protection | std | — |
| Power windows with safety front auto-down/up | — | std |
| Proximity w/ detachable valet key (2) | — | std |
| Remote keyless entry system with alarm and panic | — | std |
| Remote release – Hood | — | std |
| Proximity key entry with push button start | std | std |
Climate4 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd row automatic HVAC controls | — | std |
| 3rd row HVAC vents | — | std |
| Cabin air filter | — | std |
| PTC Heater | — | std |
| Dual auto temperature control w/auto defog | std | std |
Seating9 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 8-way power driver's seat | std | — |
| 6-way adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| 2nd Row Power Folding Seats | — | std |
| 3rd row 60/40 split-fold seats with ingress/egress handles | — | std |
| 8-passenger seating with 60/40 split, sliding and reclining fold-down second-row bench seats; 60/40 split, fold-down third-row seats with sliding headrests and recline function | std | — |
| Bench Seating (2nd row) | — | std |
| One-touch 2nd row seat slide for 3rd row access | — | std |
| Rear center armrest (bench seats) | — | std |
| Sliding 2nd-row seats with electric cargo area releases | — | std |
| Materials – Cloth | std | std |
Interior23 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2" Color multi-information display | — | std |
| Inside rearview mirror – EC mirror | — | std |
| 13 cup and bottle holders | std | — |
| All-Weather Floormats/Liners | — | opt |
| Assist grips | — | std |
| Combination meter with analog gauges and 7-in. color Multi-Information Display (MID) with fuel economy, Driver Assist, vehicle/trip information, and warning messages | std | — |
| Dashboard – Slush-molding | — | std |
| Door armrest – Soft, 1-piece in-mold grain | — | std |
| Door handles – Metal Paint | — | std |
| External temperature display | — | std |
| Front center console – Fixed armrest storage with tray | — | std |
| Glove compartment – With damper, Illuminated | — | std |
| Map pockets, with extra mini pocket (2nd row) | — | std |
| Silver-painted dashboard trim and matte gray metallic door trim | std | — |
| Soft-touch roll-top center console with removable utility tray | std | — |
| Storage tray – Center stack / center console | — | std |
| Tilt + Telescoping steering wheel | — | std |
| Upper door panels / console armrest – Premium Soft Touch | — | std |
| Manual Anti-Glare Rearview Mirror | std | — |
| Sunvisor – W/ illumination | — | std |
| Floor mats – Carpeted | — | opt |
| Overhead console with sunglasses storage and maplights | std | — |
| Door storage pockets – Front and rear | — | std |
| Sunvisor – Dual vanity mirror with cover, w/ sliding function | std | std |
Exterior26 differ · 32 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18-in. 5-spoke silver wheels | std | — |
| Black front lower bumper | std | — |
| Black rear lower bumper | std | — |
| Black Side sills | — | std |
| Black-painted front grille | std | — |
| Bumpers – Two-tone | — | std |
| Color-keyed outside door handles | std | — |
| Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature | std | — |
| Door Garnish – Two-tone | — | std |
| Door Handles – Satin Chrome (exterior) | — | std |
| Grille – Black+Silver paint | — | std |
| LED accents | — | std |
| LED daytime running lights | — | std |
| LED taillights | std | — |
| Rear liftgate windshield washer and backup camera washer | std | — |
| Rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light | std | — |
| Roof antenna, shark-fin – Gloss black | — | std |
| Silver-painted roof rails | std | — |
| Skid plates (front & rear) – Silver Paint | — | std |
| Turn signal indicators (outside mirrors) | — | std |
| Windshield wiper de-icer | std | — |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
| Solar front glass – Front door, windshield | — | std |
| LED Roof-mounted center high-mount stop lamp | — | std |
| Mud guards – Front/rear | — | opt |
| Rear spoiler – Integrated with CHMSL, bodycolor | — | std |
| LED headlights (Projector) | std | std |
| Acoustic windshield | std | std |
| Heated (outside mirrors) | std | std |
| Privacy glass – Rear/quarter/back glass | std | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | std | std |
| Compact Spare Tire / T155/90R18 | std | std |
Powertrain8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| HTRAC AWD active on-demand | — | std |
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | std | — |
| 8-speed automatic (A8LF1) | — | std |
| Drive configuration – FWD | — | std |
| Drive Mode Select (Comfort, Eco, Sport, & Smart) – Center-console mounted | — | std |
| Idle Stop & Go | — | std |
| Shift-by-Wire | — | std |
| SHIFTRONIC® manual shift mode | — | std |
Cargo5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tow Hitch | — | opt |
| Cargo-area cover – Removable, retractable-type | — | opt |
| Roof cross bars | — | opt |
| Trailering Package (trailer prewire, HD engine/trans coolers, sway control) | — | std |
| Underfloor storage compartment | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPToyota Grand Highlander
Safety Signal 87 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3
Owner complaints 75 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (21), Engine (16), Power Train (15)
Top recalls
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V179000 · 8,230 vehicles
Hyundai Palisade
Safety Signal 72 C
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / — / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3 · 1 critical · 2 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 248 · 8 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Service Brakes (96), Seat Belts (57), Unspecified (45)
Park-outside advisory — open NHTSA recall with a consumer advisory.
Top recalls
- critical Power Train 25V291000 · 620 vehicles
- high Air Bags 26V034000 · 568,576 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Seat Belts 25V607000 · 568,580 vehicles · filed unfixed
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40,860 (base trim) | $37,200 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $40,860 – $58,775 14 trims | $37,200 – $54,500 13 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Grand Highlander Hybrid | Palisade FWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 22 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,850 | $3,050 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | — |
| Roadside assistance | 2 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander or the 2025 Hyundai Palisade?
The Toyota Grand Highlander edges it, 82.6 to 79.3, on safety, fuel & range, space & cargo. The Hyundai Palisade is ahead on tech & comfort and price. Raise the tech & comfort weight from 3 to 3.9 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander scores 82.6 and the 2025 Hyundai Palisade 79.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander or the 2025 Hyundai Palisade?
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade starts lower — $37,200 against $40,860, a gap of $3,660 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander or the 2025 Hyundai Palisade?
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. 2025 Hyundai Palisade: no NHTSA rating yet, grade C, 3 recalls (2 filed with no repair available). Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander and the 2025 Hyundai Palisade?
Where the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (75 against 248 filed with NHTSA), costs $1,200 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,850 against $3,050), and is rated 36 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2025 Hyundai Palisade answers: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (52 points against 18 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½) and lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 16. What they share: 8 seats.