Head-to-head
2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 93.5 to 85.8, on tech & comfort, price, performance. The Toyota Grand Highlander is ahead on safety and space & cargo.
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2026 Hyundai Palisade
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Palisade Hybrid FWD…
vs
B2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2026 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
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Clear winThe Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 93.5 to 85.8, on tech & comfort, price, performance. The Toyota Grand Highlander is ahead on safety and space & cargo.
Tech & comfort2026 Hyundai Palisade leads by 58.2
Price2026 Hyundai Palisade leads by 5.3
Safety2026 Toyota Grand Highlander leads by 5.3
| Category · weight | 2026 Toyota Grand Highlanderoverall 85.8 | 2026 Hyundai Palisadeoverall 93.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 94.7 | 100 |
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 94.5 |
| Safetyw 4 | 87.8 | 82.5 |
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 88.9 |
| Performancew 2 | 94.9 | 96 |
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 41.8 | 100 |
| Warrantyw 2 | no data | no data |
| Overall | 85.8 | 93.5 |
Toyota Grand Highlander: base trim LE FWD · Hyundai Palisade: base trim SE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
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Specifications side by side
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $41,660 | $39,435 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | 2,393 cc | 3,470 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Turbo | 3.5L MPI + GDI DOHC 24-Valve V-Type 6-cylinder |
| Fuel injection system | D-4S | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | 16-valve with Dual VVT-i | DOHC 24-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 265 hp | 287 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 21 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 24 mpg | 21 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 28 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.329 | 3.510 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 7.4 in |
| Overall height | 70.1 in | 69.5 in |
| Overall length | 201 in | 199 in |
| Overall width | 78.3 in | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | 116 in | 117 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 97.5 cu-ft | 86.7 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 57.9 cu-ft | 46.3 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 20.6 cu-ft | 19.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 153 cu-ft | 181 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.5 in | 41.5 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.2 in | 40.7 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.2 in | 37.8 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.7 in | 44.2 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39.5 in | 43 in |
| Third-row legroom | 33.5 in | 32.1 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,290 lbs | 4,575 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,290 lbs | 4,420 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,040 lbs | 6,327 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); rack-and-pinion | Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion, column-mounted |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19 ft | 39.2 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 345 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 325 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 8 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 235/65 R18 106H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.8 gal | 19 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Bluelink+ |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 3 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 60.2 in | 61.4 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58.8 in | 61 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 57.5 in | 55.6 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
150 features · differences first, then sharedSafety39 differ · 47 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection & JT/DO | — | std |
| Smart Cruise Control 2 (w/ Emergency Stop) | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection & JT/DO | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist 2 | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger airbag (2) | — | std |
| Front center airbag (1) | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist 2 | — | std |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go & Curve Control | — | std |
| Rear view monitor with parking guidance | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning | — | std |
| Front (2) and 2nd row (2) side impact airbags | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse | — | std |
| Safe Exit Assist w/ rear door indicator | — | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| 2x LATCH anchors & 3 tethers (for bench seat) in 2nd row; 2x LATCH & 3 tethers for 3rd row | — | std |
| 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver's-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts | std | — |
| Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors and driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | std | — |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning | std | — |
| Electronic parking brake with Auto Vehicle Hold | — | std |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and brake assist | — | std |
| Forward Attention Warning | — | std |
| Haptic Feedback | — | std |
| High Beam Assist | — | std |
| Highway Driving Assist – HDA I | — | 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 | — |
| Occupant classification system (OCS) – seat weight sensor and seat track sensor | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (door-logic system) | — | std |
| Rear-passenger seatbelt reminder | std | — |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | — | 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 |
| Vehicle Stability Management | — | std |
| Front (2) and 2nd row (2) side impact airbags | std | std |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | std | std |
| Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes | std | std |
| Driver Knee Airbag (1) | 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 |
Infotainment13 differ · 14 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 | — |
| Audio controls (Volume up/down, Seek up/down, Mode) | — | std |
| Bluelink® Connected Car System | — | std |
| Dynamic Voice Recognition | — | std |
| High Power USB-Cs: Two 1st row (2x USB-C Power) + Two 2nd row + Two 3rd row | — | std |
| Multiple Device Connection (up to two devices) | — | std |
| Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates | — | std |
| Paddle Shifters | — | std |
| Passenger Talk In-car intercom | — | std |
| Rear Seat Quiet Mode | — | std |
| 12.3" color touchscreen with onboard Navigation / Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay / HD Radio / SIRIUS XM | std | std |
Convenience8 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote engine start (on key fob) | — | std |
| Height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection | 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 | — |
| Proximity w/ detachable valet key (2) | — | std |
| Remote release – Hood | — | std |
| 12-volt outlet – 2 total: 1 Fr, 1 cargo | — | std |
| Power windows with safety front auto-down/up | — | std |
| Proximity key entry with push button start | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd and 3rd row air vents | — | std |
| PTC Heater | — | std |
| 3-Zone automatic climate control w/auto defog | std | std |
Seating11 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Row – 60/40 split fold-flat seats with recline & adjustable head restraints | — | std |
| 8-way power driver's seat | std | — |
| 6-way adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| 3rd row 60/40 split-fold seats with ingress/egress handles | — | std |
| 6-way adjustable passenger seat | — | 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 |
| Seating Capacity 8-passenger (SE) / 7-passenger (all others) | — | std |
| Sliding 2nd-row seats with electric cargo area releases | — | std |
| Tilting Walk-In Feature | — | std |
| Materials – Cloth | std | std |
Interior19 differ · 21 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2" Color multi-information display | — | std |
| 13 cup and bottle holders | std | — |
| All-Weather Floormats/Liners | — | opt |
| 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 |
| Dashboard – Wrapped, artificial leather | — | std |
| Door handles – Metal Paint | — | std |
| Front center console – Fixed armrest storage with tray | — | std |
| Glove compartment with damper and illumination | — | std |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | — | std |
| LED interior cabin lights | — | 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 |
| Upper door panels / console armrest – Premium Soft Touch | — | std |
| Manual Anti-Glare Rearview Mirror | std | — |
| Headliner/Pillar – Cloth | — | std |
| Overhead console with sunglasses storage and maplights | std | — |
| Door storage pockets – Front and rear | — | std |
| Sunvisor – W/ illumination | std | std |
| Sunvisor – Dual vanity mirror with cover, W/ sliding function, W/ illumination | std | std |
Exterior21 differ · 29 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18 X 8.0J Alloys / 235/65 R18 106H | — | std |
| 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 | — |
| Color-keyed outside door handles | std | — |
| Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature | std | — |
| Door handle welcome lights | — | std |
| Grille – Black + Silver Accents | — | std |
| Hood insulator | — | std |
| LED center positioning light | — | std |
| LED daytime running lights | — | std |
| Rear liftgate windshield washer and backup camera washer | std | — |
| Rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light | std | — |
| Roof antenna, shark-fin | — | std |
| Windshield wiper de-icer | std | — |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
| Solar front glass – Front door, windshield | — | std |
| LED Roof-mounted center high-mount wide stop lamp | — | std |
| Rear spoiler – Wide Integrated with CHMSL, bodycolor | — | std |
| LED headlights (Projector) | std | std |
| Acoustic side glass – Front | std | std |
| Acoustic windshield | std | std |
| Heated outside mirrors | std | std |
| LED rear combination lamps/taillights | std | std |
| Privacy glass – Rear/quarter/back glass | std | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | std | std |
| Compact Spare Tire / T155/90R18 | std | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Configuration – FWD | — | std |
| 8-speed automatic transmission (A8LF1) | — | std |
| AWD Lock indicator | — | opt |
| Drive Mode Select (Eco, Sport, & My Drive) – Dash-mounted button + toggle switch | — | std |
| Idle Stop & Go | — | std |
| Shift-by-Wire w/paddle shifters | — | std |
Chassis4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front suspension – MacPherson strut with coil springs | — | std |
| Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion steering, column-mounted | — | std |
| Rear suspension – Multi-link Independent, separated spring & shocks | — | std |
| Rear suspension – Self-Leveling suspension | — | std |
Cargo5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tow Hitch | — | opt |
| TOW mode – Dash-mounted button | — | std |
| Cargo – Underfloor storage compartment | — | std |
| Roof cross bars | — | opt |
| Trailering Package (trailer prewire, HD engine/trans coolers, sway control) | — | 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 Signal86 B
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls3
Owner complaints30 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutUnspecified (10), Structure (8), Engine (6)
Top recalls
- highPower Train26V437000 · 5,408 vehicles
- minorEquipment26V179000 · 8,230 vehicles
- minorBack Over Prevention25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
Hyundai Palisade
Safety Signal78 C
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls3
Owner complaints114 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutSeats (47), Electrical System (28), Forward Collision Avoidance (17)
Top recalls
- highSeat Belts26V169000 · 46,787 vehicles
- highElectrical System26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles
- moderateSeats26V160000 · 61,307 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Toyota Grand HighlanderLE FWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41,660 (base trim) | $39,435 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $41,660 – $59,575 14 trims | $39,435 – $58,780 21 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Grand Highlander Hybrid | Palisade Hybrid FWD Blue |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,750 | $1,850 |
| 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 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander or the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
The Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 93.5 to 85.8, on tech & comfort, price, performance. The Toyota Grand Highlander is ahead on safety and space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Palisade scores 93.5 and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander 85.8. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander or the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade starts lower — $39,435 against $41,660, a gap of $2,225 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander or the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. 2026 Hyundai Palisade: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 3 recalls. 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 differences between the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
This page puts 54 specifications and 150 equipment items side by side, with the better value marked on every row where the direction is unambiguous and the differences listed before the things both cars share.