2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Toyota Highlander

$39,435 · Crossover

$45,270 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade bursts onto the scene packing a punch with 287 hp, promising an energetic drive right from its lower $39,435 MSRP. Conversely, the 2026 Toyota Highlander distinguishes itself with superior efficiency and all-wheel-drive traction, though it starts $5,835 higher at $45,270. The Palisade leads significantly in raw power, boasting 22 more horsepower than the Highlander's 265 hp, while the Highlander claws back ground with better torque delivery at 310 lb-ft versus the Palisade's 260 lb-ft. Fuel economy sees the Highlander maintaining a clear lead with a combined 24 MPG compared to the Palisade's 21 MPG. While the Palisade offers slightly more room overall (199.2 inches long), the Highlander's commitment to AWD and efficiency makes it a highly competent alternative despite its smaller 16 cu ft cargo bay compared to the Palisade's 19.1 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander's superior combined 24 MPG fuel economy makes it the more economical choice for daily driving compared to the Palisade's 21 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade is the practical choice for families needing maximum interior space, evidenced by its larger 19.1 cu ft cargo capacity and longer 199.2-inch frame.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Palisade

Enthusiasts seeking immediate acceleration will prefer the Palisade due to its higher output of 287 hp compared to the Highlander's 265 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade provides substantially more horsepower and cargo room while offering a significant $5,835 savings over the Highlander's base price.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You demand the highest horsepower figure available, clocking in at 287 hp.
You need maximum hauling capacity, benefiting from the generous 19.1 cu ft of cargo volume.
Budget is a primary concern, as the Palisade starts $5,835 less than the competition.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

Superior fuel efficiency is paramount, indicated by the 24 MPG combined rating.
You require standard all-wheel drive capability for varied road conditions.
You prefer strong low-end pulling power from the 310 lb-ft of torque.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Palisade	Toyota Highlander
Length	199.2"	194.9"
Width	78.0"	76.0"
Height	69.5"	68.1"
Wheelbase	116.9"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	287 hp @ 6400 rpm	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/25 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	361.0/475.0 mi.	375.9/501.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.0 gal.	17.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speaker System	—	6

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Front Head Room	41.5 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	44.2 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.4 in.	59.0 in.
Front Hip Room	58.8 in.	57.2 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Rear Head Room	40.7 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	43.0 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.0 in.	58.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.7 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R	P235/65R V
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Toyota
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and 2026 Toyota Highlander.

Which crossover has better raw performance metrics between the two models?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade edges out the competition in outright power, producing 287 hp from its engine compared to the Highlander’s 265 hp. However, the Highlander counters this with significantly more torque at 310 lb-ft versus the Palisade’s 260 lb-ft.

How significant is the price difference when comparing the base models?

The 2026 Toyota Highlander has a substantially higher starting MSRP of $45,270, meaning buyers save $5,835 by opting for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade at $39,435.

For family road trips, which vehicle offers better efficiency?

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is the better choice for efficiency, achieving 24 MPG combined, which surpasses the Palisade's 21 MPG combined rating. This means fewer stops at the pump during long hauls.

Does the drivetrain (FWD vs AWD) affect their basic specs?

Yes, the Palisade comes standard in Front Wheel Drive (FWD), while the Highlander includes All-Wheel Drive (AWD) in its base trim, a key factor for traction regardless of the horsepower difference.

How do the physical dimensions impact interior usability?

The longer Palisade (199.2 inches) provides more useable space, evidenced by 19.1 cu ft of cargo capacity, making it better for gear than the slightly shorter Highlander (194.9 inches) which only offers 16 cu ft.

Which vehicle handles regular unleaded fuel for cost savings?

Both the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and the 2026 Toyota Highlander utilize regular unleaded fuel, ensuring both remain budget-friendly concerning fuel grades.