Hyundai Palisade vs. Toyota Highlander: Which Three-Row SUV Wins?

If you’re in the market for a three-row SUV, you’ve probably been eyeing both the Hyundai Palisade and the Toyota Highlander. Both are strong contenders in the automotive world. But at Tomball Hyundai, we believe the Palisade stands out in ways that matter, especially if you value space, comfort, features and peace of mind. So let's take a stroll through the details, talking about everything from legroom, powertrain, warranty, to tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Exterior Design & First Impressions

From the moment you pull into Tomball Hyundai’s lot, the Palisade catches your eye. It has bold exterior design, clean lines, upscale touches, especially in the Calligraphy trim, that make it feel like more than “just a family SUV.” In contrast, the Highlander is good looking and reliable, but the Palisade feels a little more premium out of the box.

Powertrain, Horsepower & Driving Feel

Let’s talk about performance. The Palisade is equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine delivering 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Palisade handles well when you’re on a road trip, climbing hills, or just hauling the family and gear. The drivetrain is smooth, and with available AWD it’s capable in a range of conditions.

The Highlander, on the other hand, uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with around 265 hp and big torque (310 lb-ft) in some trims. It’s efficient, yes, but in that comparison the Palisade feels a bit stronger when it comes to the pure driving experience.

Fuel Economy & Efficiency

Of course, we must talk about mpg. The Highlander shines here: base engines deliver 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway, 25 combined, in its non-hybrid form according to one comparison. If you go for the hybrid version of the Highlander, fuel economy gets even better.

By comparison the Palisade’s V6 is less fuel-sipping: about 19 low city/26 highway in one listing. So if your priority is maximum fuel economy, the Highlander may be slightly ahead. But if your priority is comfort, power and space, the extra sweet driving experience makes the Palisade totally worth it.

Interior Space

Here’s where the Palisade really shines and where Tomball Hyundai invites you to come see in person. The Palisade offers generous room in all three rows: headroom, legroom, even cargo space behind the 3rd row. One comparison noted the Palisade boasts an extra ~3.4 inches of third-row legroom compared with the Highlander.

In the Highlander, while comfortable, the 3rd row is more suited to children than full‐size adults, and passenger volume/cubic feet behind and between seats are smaller. If you’re doing family trips, hauling gear, road trip mode, the Palisade gives more.

Let’s Break It Down:

First Row: Both vehicles are comfortable up front, plenty of tech and adjustability.

Second Row (2nd Row): The Palisade offers generous legroom and options with captain’s chairs for better comfort.

Third Row (3rd Row Seat / 3rd Row): Palisade better suits adult passengers; Highlander’s third row is tighter.

Cargo space/Cubic Feet: With all seats up, again the Palisade has more room to store luggage.

Technology & Infotainment (Touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto)

Hyundai has gone all-in on tech. The Palisade features a large touchscreen (12.3-inch in many trims), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multiple USB-C ports in all rows, and a high-quality interface. The Highlander also offers a modern infotainment suite, and yes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported but some of the nicest tech features in Highlander are reserved for higher trims.

Safety Features & Reliability

Safety is always critical for a three-row SUV, especially when you have family onboard or you’re planning those long road trips. The Palisade comes standard with the Hyundai SmartSense suite: forward collision-avoidance, lane keeping, blind spot monitor, view monitor, and more. The Highlander brings the Toyota Safety Sense suite (TSS), advanced driver-assist features standard across trims, and great long-term reliability reputation.

In short: both are very safe. But again, the Palisade offers more of the advanced features standard across more trims, giving you better value.

Warranty & Value

Now here’s a big selling point for Tomball Hyundai to emphasize: the Palisade’s warranty. Hyundai offers an exceptional warranty for instance a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty in many cases. That kind of peace of mind is hard to beat.

Toyota has reliability and strong resale value, which is a plus. But when it comes to warranty coverage, the Palisade is a standout.

Road trip & Family Use

If you’re planning a road trip, yes, you’ll go farther, stay longer, carry more gear, the Palisade is ideal. With extra third-row legroom, second-row comfort, generous cargo space, top-tier tech for music and connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a strong powertrain, you’ll appreciate it on longer hauls.

The Highlander is still a reliable choice for such trips, efficient, comfortable, but if you prioritize that roomy, premium feel, the Palisade wins.

AWD, Drivetrain & Versatility

Both vehicles offer AWD (all‐wheel drive) options, which is useful in varying conditions. The Palisade’s drivetrain and available trims make it versatile for families, weekend getaways, trips with gear, changing weather. The Highlander’s turbocharged drivetrain is efficient and modern, the Palisade’s V6 gives that smooth, refined feel.

Why Choose Hyundai Palisade at Tomball Hyundai?

At Tomball Hyundai, we believe when you factor in:

Generous third row legroom

Strong horsepower (291 hp)

Outstanding warranty coverage

Advanced tech (touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto)

Premium interior, big cargo space, and comfort

Competitive MSRP and value

The decision becomes clearer. The Palisade offers that full-family, full-comfort, full-feature package. Yes, the Highlander remains a strong competitor but if your family uses that 3rd row, frequently hauls gear, enjoys the ride, and wants the extra touches, the Palisade is a smarter bet.

The Final Verdict for Tomball Hyundai

In the end, if you’re looking for a three-row SUV that truly meets full-family needs, strong powertrain, generous interior space, loaded tech, excellent warranty, you’ll love the Hyundai Palisade. At Tomball Hyundai, we’re confident in recommending it.

While the Toyota Highlander remains a solid, reliable choice, and for many buyers it makes sense, when you weigh everything, the Palisade comes out ahead in the categories that often matter most for families on the go: comfort, room, features, value.

So come by, take that test drive, see how it fits your life, your road trips, your haul of family and gear. Contact us today and let Tomball Hyundai show you why the Palisade wins.