The 2023 GMC Acadia and Hyundai Palisade are among the most eagerly anticipated midsize SUVs, each boasting a unique set of features that cater to a wide range of buyers. As you consider your options, it’s essential to understand the key aspects of each vehicle and how they compare to one another.
In this overview, we will delve deep into the world of these two SUVs, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and the factors that set them apart.
Exterior Design
The 2023 GMC Acadia exhibits a bold, rugged design that complements its reputation as a powerful and capable SUV. The aggressive front grille, sharp LED headlights, and sculpted body lines give the Acadia a commanding presence on the road. With an athletic stance, the Acadia sports large alloy wheels that provide both style and functionality.
The Hyundai Palisade features a sleek and modern exterior design. The wide cascading grille and the uniquely designed LED headlights create a distinctive and sophisticated look. The Palisade also boasts well-defined body lines, chrome accents, and large alloy wheels, contributing to its elegant appearance.
Interior Design
Inside the GMC Acadia, you’ll find a spacious and upscale cabin with high-quality materials and attention to detail. The dashboard is neatly organized, with an intuitive infotainment system that offers a user-friendly experience. The Acadia also features various comfort and convenience features, such as heated and ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.
The interior of the Hyundai Palisade is equally impressive, boasting a luxurious and spacious cabin. The Palisade’s dashboard is designed with driver convenience in mind, featuring a large infotainment touchscreen and easy-to-use controls. Premium materials, ambient lighting, and high-end features, such as ventilated seats and a dual-pane sunroof, add to the Palisade’s upscale feel.
Seating
The GMC Acadia provides seating for up to seven passengers, with comfortable and supportive seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provide ample space, while the third row offers decent legroom and headroom for children or smaller adults. Both rows can be easily folded for additional cargo space.
The Hyundai Palisade can accommodate up to eight passengers, making it a more spacious option for larger families. The second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs offer plenty of room, and the third row is surprisingly spacious, even for adult passengers. The Palisade also features easy access to the third row, thanks to its one-touch folding second-row seats.
Storage
When it comes to cargo space, the GMC Acadia offers a total of 79 cubic feet when the second and third-row seats are folded down. With all the seats in place, the Acadia provides 12.8 cubic feet of storage, which is decent for a midsize SUV.
The Hyundai Palisade, however, offers more storage with 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and a maximum of 86.4 cubic feet when both the second and third rows are folded down. This additional space makes the Palisade a more practical choice for families with larger storage needs.
Performance
The GMC Acadia offers a choice between a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower, and a more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates 310 horsepower. Both engines are paired with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The Acadia’s performance is well-rounded, with responsive handling and a comfortable ride.
Additionally, the Acadia can tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it a practical choice for towing small trailers and boats.
The Hyundai Palisade comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade offers a smooth and comfortable ride, with precise handling that makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. When properly equipped, the Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds, providing even more versatility for those with towing needs.
Fuel Efficiency
The GMC Acadia offers competitive fuel efficiency for its class. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine provides an estimated 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the 3.6-liter V6 engine offers 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. These numbers are respectable, but not class-leading.
The Hyundai Palisade’s fuel economy is similar to the Acadia, with an estimated 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. While not the most fuel-efficient in its class, the Palisade’s fuel economy is still reasonable for a vehicle of its size and capabilities.
Safety
The GMC Acadia comes standard with a range of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Additional safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert, are available in higher trim levels.
The Hyundai Palisade also offers a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, such as forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. With the Palisade’s focus on safety, it has received high safety ratings from industry experts, making it an attractive option for families.
Trim Levels
The 2023 GMC Acadia is available in four trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. Each trim offers a range of standard and available features, such as leather upholstery, a premium Bose sound system, and a head-up display, providing buyers with options to suit their preferences and budgets.
The Hyundai Palisade comes in four trim levels as well: SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. As you move up the trim levels, the Palisade offers more luxurious features, such as Nappa leather seating, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and a surround-view camera system.
Pricing
The 2023 GMC Acadia’s base price starts at around $34,000 for the SL trim and goes up to approximately $49,000 for the Denali trim. While the Acadia is competitively priced within its segment, higher trim levels can become quite expensive.
The Hyundai Palisade has a starting price of around $33,000 for the SE trim, with the top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim coming in at approximately $48,000. The Palisade offers a competitive price point, with a variety of standard features and options available across the trim levels.
Key Differences
Seating Capacity:
One of the most significant differences between the two SUVs is their seating capacity. The GMC Acadia can accommodate up to seven passengers, while the Hyundai Palisade offers seating for up to eight passengers. This distinction may be crucial for larger families or those who frequently need additional seating.
Storage Space:
When it comes to cargo space, the Hyundai Palisade has a clear advantage over the GMC Acadia. The Palisade offers 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and a maximum of 86.4 cubic feet when both the second and third rows are folded down. In comparison, the Acadia provides 12.8 cubic feet of storage with all seats in place and 79 cubic feet with the second and third-row seats folded.
Towing Capacity:
The GMC Acadia has a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it suitable for towing small trailers and boats. On the other hand, the Hyundai Palisade boasts a higher towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, providing greater versatility for those with more significant towing needs.
Engine Options and Performance:
The 2023 GMC Acadia offers two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and a more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower. In contrast, the Hyundai Palisade comes with a single engine option – a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 291 horsepower. Both vehicles provide smooth and comfortable rides, with the Acadia focusing on power and responsiveness, while the Palisade emphasizes precision and maneuverability.
Final Thoughts:
After examining the 2023 GMC Acadia and Hyundai Palisade in detail, it’s clear that both vehicles have a lot to offer. The Acadia showcases a rugged and powerful presence, while the Palisade shines with elegance and sophistication. The choice between these two SUVs ultimately boils down to your personal preferences, priorities, and budget.
By taking the time to understand the critical differences between the Acadia and Palisade, you can make an informed decision that meets your unique needs and provides a satisfying driving experience for years to come.
Features Breakdown
GMC Acadia:
- Exterior Design:
- Bold, rugged design
- Aggressive front grille
- Sharp LED headlights
- Sculpted body lines
- Large alloy wheels
- Interior Design:
- Spacious, upscale cabin
- High-quality materials
- Intuitive infotainment system
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Panoramic sunroof
- Seating:
- Seats up to 7 passengers
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Decent legroom and headroom in the third row
- Storage:
- 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place
- 79 cubic feet of cargo space with second and third rows folded
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (228 hp)
- 3.6-liter V6 engine (310 hp)
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- 4,000-pound towing capacity (when properly equipped)
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 2.0-liter engine: 22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
- 3.6-liter engine: 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Available adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert
- Trim Levels:
- SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali
- Pricing:
- Base price (SL): ~$34,000
- Top trim price (Denali): ~$49,000
Hyundai Palisade:
- Exterior Design:
- Sleek, modern design
- Wide cascading grille
- Unique LED headlights
- Chrome accents
- Large alloy wheels
- Interior Design:
- Luxurious, spacious cabin
- Premium materials
- Large infotainment touchscreen
- Ambient lighting
- Ventilated seats and dual-pane sunroof
- Seating:
- Seats up to 8 passengers
- Second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs
- Spacious third-row seating for adults
- Storage:
- 18 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place
- 86.4 cubic feet of cargo space with second and third rows folded
- Performance:
- 3.8-liter V6 engine (291 hp)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- 5,000-pound towing capacity (when properly equipped)
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Forward collision avoidance
- Lane-keeping assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control
- Trim Levels:
- SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy
- Pricing:
- Base price (SE): ~$33,000
- Top trim price (Calligraphy): ~$48,000
