2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade
Cars comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
2025 Toyota Highlander and 2025 Hyundai Palisade are two of the most cross-shopped cars right now, and the gap between them is narrower in some rows and wider in others than the marketing suggests. The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a three-row family SUV with a 2.4-litre turbo, a 36 mpg hybrid option and Toyota's reliability record. The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is the Telluride's sibling with a plusher Calligraphy trim, the same 291 hp V6 and Hyundai's 10-year powertrain warranty.
Quick verdict
Hyundai Palisade scores 59 to Toyota Highlander's 51 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for buyers who want Telluride space with a more luxurious finish. Toyota Highlander remains the right call for families who want a dependable three-row SUV.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the cars category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a three-row family SUV with a 2.4-litre turbo, a 36 mpg hybrid option and Toyota's reliability record.
Best for families who want a dependable three-row SUV
2025 Hyundai Palisade
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is the Telluride's sibling with a plusher Calligraphy trim, the same 291 hp V6 and Hyundai's 10-year powertrain warranty.
Best for buyers who want Telluride space with a more luxurious finish
Key differences
- Base powertrain: Toyota Highlander 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder vs Hyundai Palisade 3.8 L V6 — a preference, not a scored win
- Range per tank/charge: Toyota Highlander About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank) vs Hyundai Palisade About 410 miles (18.8 gal tank) — a preference, not a scored win
- Cargo volume: Toyota Highlander 16 cu ft (84.3 max) vs Hyundai Palisade 18 cu ft (86.4 max) — a preference, not a scored win
- Warranty: Toyota Highlander 3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain vs Hyundai Palisade 5 yr/60k basic, 10 yr/100k powertrain — a preference, not a scored win
- 0-60 mph: Toyota Highlander 7.5 s vs Hyundai Palisade 7 s — Hyundai Palisade is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Toyota Highlander | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Midsize three-row SUV | Midsize three-row SUV |
| Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Cargo volume | 16 cu ft (84.3 max) | 18 cu ft (86.4 max) |
| Base powertrain | 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder | 3.8 L V6 |
| Horsepower | 265 hp | 291 hp |
| 0-60 mph | 7.5 s | 7 s |
| Combined economy | 25 MPG/MPGe | 22 MPG/MPGe |
| Range per tank/charge | About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank) | About 410 miles (18.8 gal tank) |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain | 5 yr/60k basic, 10 yr/100k powertrain |
| Base MSRP (USD, 2025) | $39,620 | $37,200 |
Practicality: Toyota Highlander vs Hyundai Palisade Score: Toyota Highlander 94 · Hyundai Palisade 94
Both list Midsize three-row SUV for body style, so nothing separates them here. Both list 8 for seats, so nothing separates them here.
The two differ on cargo volume (16 cu ft (84.3 max) against 18 cu ft (86.4 max)), and cargo volume decides whether the weekly shop and a pushchair fit.
Performance: Toyota Highlander vs Hyundai Palisade Score: Toyota Highlander 46 · Hyundai Palisade 68
For base powertrain, Toyota Highlander uses 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder whereas Hyundai Palisade goes with 3.8 L V6. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the powertrain decides running costs and refinement. The horsepower row goes to Hyundai Palisade: 291 hp against 265 hp. More horsepower helps with highway merging and towing.
Hyundai Palisade is better on 0-60 mph at 7 s against 7.5 s, a 0.5 s difference; lower is better because 0-60 time is the simplest measure of real-world acceleration.
Economy: Toyota Highlander vs Hyundai Palisade Score: Toyota Highlander 41 · Hyundai Palisade 26
Toyota Highlander offers 25 MPG/MPGe of combined economy while Hyundai Palisade stops at 22 MPG/MPGe; the 3 MPG/MPGe gap matters because combined economy drives your yearly fuel or charging bill.
Toyota Highlander: About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank). Hyundai Palisade: About 410 miles (18.8 gal tank). Neither is scored, but range decides how often you stop on a road trip.
Value: Toyota Highlander vs Hyundai Palisade Score: Toyota Highlander 24 · Hyundai Palisade 47
For warranty, Toyota Highlander uses 3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain whereas Hyundai Palisade goes with 5 yr/60k basic, 10 yr/100k powertrain. This is a preference rather than a scored win: warranty length is a direct measure of how much risk the maker takes on.
On base MSRP (USD, 2025), Hyundai Palisade keeps it to $37,200 while Toyota Highlander lists $39,620. That $2,420 edge counts since base MSRP is the fairest starting point; regional pricing and incentives vary.
Pros and cons
Toyota Highlander
Pros
- Three rows with hybrid option
- Toyota Safety Sense standard
- Strong resale value
- Better combined economy (25 MPG/MPGe)
Cons
- Weaker horsepower (265 hp)
- Weaker 0-60 mph (7.5 s)
- Weaker base MSRP (USD, 2025) ($39,620)
Hyundai Palisade
Pros
- Calligraphy luxury trim
- 291 hp V6
- 10-year/100k powertrain warranty
- Better combined economy (22 MPG/MPGe)
Cons
- Weaker horsepower (291 hp)
- Weaker 0-60 mph (7 s)
- Weaker base MSRP (USD, 2025) ($37,200)
Which one should you buy?
Choose 2025 Toyota Highlander for…
Families who want a dependable three-row SUV. It stands out for three rows with hybrid option, toyota safety sense standard, strong resale value.
Choose 2025 Hyundai Palisade for…
Buyers who want Telluride space with a more luxurious finish. It stands out for calligraphy luxury trim, 291 hp v6, 10-year/100k powertrain warranty.
Final verdict
Hyundai Palisade scores 59 to Toyota Highlander's 51 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for buyers who want Telluride space with a more luxurious finish. Toyota Highlander remains the right call for families who want a dependable three-row SUV. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another car
Frequently asked questions
Is Toyota Highlander better than Hyundai Palisade?
On the VersusAnything Score, Hyundai Palisade finishes ahead 59 to 51. That makes Hyundai Palisade the better overall pick for buyers who want Telluride space with a more luxurious finish, while Toyota Highlander is still the right choice for families who want a dependable three-row SUV.
What is the biggest difference between Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Palisade?
The largest gap is base powertrain: Toyota Highlander lists 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder while Hyundai Palisade lists 3.8 L V6. The powertrain decides running costs and refinement.
Which is cheaper, Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Palisade?
Hyundai Palisade is cheaper on base MSRP (USD, 2025): $37,200 against $39,620 for Toyota Highlander. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose Hyundai Palisade over Toyota Highlander?
Hyundai Palisade is the better fit for buyers who want Telluride space with a more luxurious finish. Its strongest points are calligraphy luxury trim, 291 hp v6, 10-year/100k powertrain warranty.
Sources
- Toyota Highlander: Toyota official site (manufacturer)
- Toyota Highlander: EPA fueleconomy.gov (regulator)
- Hyundai Palisade: Hyundai official site (manufacturer)
- Hyundai Palisade: EPA fueleconomy.gov (regulator)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.