Key Takeaways:
- The Tucson offers more engine variety, with a four-cylinder, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid. However, the Palisade competes with one engine delivering 291 horsepower.
- The Palisade is more spacious than the Tucson as it is midsize and can tow 3000 pounds more than its competitor. Similarly, it also has more passenger space for up to eight people.
- The Tucson is a better option for better mileage and maneuvering due to its compact size and a maximum of 84 MPGe.
- Both vehicles are equally safe with various safety features and perform off-road well.
- The Palisade’s starting price is more expensive than the Tucson by a slight amount. However, with on-roads, the Tucson exceeds the Palisade price.
Hyundai SUVs have been soaring in popularity these days. You can get the real deal with an SUV, from their futuristic designs, extensive features, and options to excellent ride quality. However, the main issue is that there are so many different models to choose from! For 2023, we have the Hyundai Tucson and Palisade to look out for.
Read on to learn more about the differences between these two models, including performance, mileage, price, and more.
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson and Palisade: A Comparison
Performance and Gas Mileage
The most noticeable difference between the Tucson and Palisade is size. The former is a compact SUV, while the latter is midsize. Hence, their engines differ respectively.
The Tucson offers three options for engines:
- A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower.
- A hybrid engine with 226 horsepower.
- A plug-in hybrid with 226 horsepower.
On the contrary, Palisades doesn’t offer this much variety. Each model comes with a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with a horsepower of 291. Though options are limited, the Palisade offers much more horsepower than the Tucson.
However, Tucson is more maneuverable than its competitor due to its small size. If your driving habits don’t require much horsepower, this model may be the best for you. Therefore, parking and backing into corners are easier with a Hyundai Tucson.
The Tucson also holds another advantage over the Palisade: better mileage. The fully gas-powered model is estimated to get up to 28 combined mpg, while the Tucson Hybrid gets up to 43. Additionally, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid achieves 84 MPGe in electric-only mode and 35 combined mpg when hybrid.
The Palisade is expected to get up to 22 combined mpg, which may be less for some car owners.
Towing Capability
This is where the Tucson’s smaller size fails to benefit. The Palisade and Tucson can both tow considerable pounds, but the Palisade has a higher towing capacity of 5000 pounds. It also features a drive mode select where you can choose the snow and tow mode for a smooth towing experience.
On the other hand, the Tucson can only tow up to 2000 pounds of cargo. Equipped with trailer brakes, it can tow up to 1650 pounds without them if you have the standard powertrain setup. The Palisade is a much better choice for those who need to tow material frequently.
Off-roading Capability
The Tucson and Palisade stand equal in the matter of off-roading. Both offer an all-wheel-drive system with many features that are perfect for off-roading.
The Palisade is complete with 7.9 inches off the ground, which may seem too less. However, the skid plates underneath offer maximum protection so you can easily clear obstacles. Its engine can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds flat. This makes it an excellent option for climbing steep, muddy slopes safely.
You can activate the locking differential on the Palisade in case you need extra traction. A locking differential locks the two wheels on an axle together, allowing them to receive equal power from the engine and improving traction on challenging terrain.
This feature offers more stability and control over muddy areas. As a matter of fact, it won’t slip even when you accelerate over obstacles, offering a smooth experience.
Similarly, the Tucson provides many safety features, such as Downhill Brake Control. It helps you maintain a safe and consistent speed when driving down steep inclines by automatically applying the brakes as needed.
Its suspension system does all the work for you, ensuring your car will slow down to under five mph before stopping.
Additionally, it also offers a Hill-Start Assist Control. This feature will prevent your SUV from rolling backward if you start off a sharp incline. The Active Cornering Control automatically transfers torque to the wheels with the best traction, improving performance in off-road and slick-road situations.
Passenger Space
The Palisade offers more interior space than the Tucson due to its larger size. It has a total passenger volume of 155.3 cu-ft and can seat up to eight people. The Tucson pales in comparison as it seats five people in 108 cu-ft.
Furthermore, the Palisade provides more storage space. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 86.4 cu-ft, compared to the Tucson’s 80.3 cu-ft. In this respect, the Palisade is a better family and work car for those who frequent trips with many people.
Price
The 2023 Palisade starts at $35,250 MSRP for the SE trim and goes up to $49,200 MSRP for the Calligraphy trim. The Tucson is not too far behind in price, starting from $34,900 before on-road costs. With on-roads, the Tucson now extends to $52,900.
Safety Features
The Tucson and Palisade are safe and even won the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. The Palisade has built-in safety features such as:
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW).
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA).
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection and Junction Turning.
- Lane Following Assist (LFA).
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW).
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA).
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA).
Meanwhile, the Tucson also offers an extensive range of safety features, including:
- Reversing camera.
- Rear parking sensors.
- Leading vehicle departure alert.
- Safe exit warning.
- Rear occupant alert.
- Tire-pressure monitoring.
- Front, front-side, and curtain airbags with a front-center airbag.
Conclusion
While the Tucson and Palisade are SUVs, they differ in their towing capabilities, passenger space, and horsepower. They stand similarly in terms of price and safety, so the decision boils down to the type of lifestyle you lead. A Palisade is best suited for those who carry heavy loads frequently and transport more people. However, both vehicles make for excellent family and off-roading cars.
We at Auffenberg Hyundai of Cape Girardeau offer a wide range of new and pre-owned Hyundai SUVs for all your shopping or browsing needs. You can also visit our showroom to browse our inventory or schedule a car service. If you have any queries, a professional is available on a 24/7 chat service on our website.
