The Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Hyundai Palisade

What Are The Differences in Size and Style?

When you’re looking for the right vehicle, design and overall look is of great importance. The Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Palisade share many qualities including their design and eye-catching colors, but how do they differ?

Taking a look at the outside we can see lots of similarities like 18 in. alloy wheels, unibody frame and three-row seating. In terms of aesthetics, however, the Hyundai Santa Fe goes for a retro-modern, boxy aesthetic, with sharp curves and a compact structure. The Hyundai Palisade is known for a more classic and elegant presence with its signature grille and overall sleek design. The difference in size is minute, with the Hyundai Palisade being slightly larger, so you can expect a similar experience maneuvering through Churchill.

For different styles, there’s the XRT trim, shared by both, that’s built to provide you with more off-road capabilities. This includes an elevated unibody design, available HTRAC All-Wheel Drive and all-terrain tires with 1.3 in. ground clearance. If you’re considering either vehicle as your go-to for city streets and off-roading alike, this trim helps you invest in making both experiences seamless. There’s also the Calligraphy trim for those who are interested in luxury driving when choosing their Hyundai vehicle. All the bells and whistles are included like premium Nappa leather seating, quilted leather door panels, Bose or Harmon Karmon premium audio for the Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Palisade respectively, full display digital rear-view mirror and 64-color ambient lighting. The overall design and multiple trims make it challenging to narrow down your choices, as both models represent an abundance of desirable attributes.

What About Interiors and Features?

Due to the similar size, you can expect a comfortable interior no matter your choice. The three-row seating also means either vehicle could be perfect for bigger families. That said, the Hyundai Palisade has more overall room. For cargo, the maximum space (second and third row down) for the Hyundai Santa Fe is 79.6 cu. ft. while the Hyundai Palisade has 86.4 cu. ft. That’s not insignificant and could be reason to consider the Hyundai Palisade, though that ultimately rests on how much cargo room you’ll need. For technology, both models have a 12.3 infotainment display, HD radio and standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. The audio can be upgraded with higher level trims. Some features, like advanced voice recognition, dual automatic temperature control, Hyundai Pay and more are available on the base Hyundai Palisade but only available on higher level trims for the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Both models have Hyundai’s SmartSense, a carefully designed suite of safety features, built in. This means helpful options like blind spot collision warning, forward collision assist, safe exit assist, smart cruise control and more are all at your fingertips the moment you step into either model. You’re in good hands no matter your choice, so you can chalk safety up as a tie – both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Palisade are phenomenal. The Hyundai Palisade overall provides more technology in the lowest priced model, but both provide a great overall experience.

How Do They Compare In Capability and Options?

When people choose a Hyundai SUV, they want a vehicle that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s all about reliability – both in terms of strength and fuel efficiency. In that area, is there a notable difference between the Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Palisade?

When it comes to both fields, it’s very close. Let’s start with the pure strength and capability of both. The inline 4-cylinder 2.5L turbo engine of the Hyundai Santa Fe provides up to 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. As for the Hyundai Palisade, it has a 6-cylinder 3.8L engine capable of up to 292 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Despite both vehicles putting up great numbers, they pull ahead in different areas. If you’re cruising down the highway or navigating the streets of Penn Hills, the Hyundai Palisade’s impressive horsepower makes for an effortless journey. If you’re traveling off-road – maybe embarking on a family road trip – the Hyundai Santa Fe easily carves a path through the terrain.

When it comes to fuel efficiency the Hyundai Santa Fe narrowly wins with an EPA-estimated combined 24 mpg versus the Hyundai Palisade with a combined 22 mpg. Both are efficient, but depending on how often you’ll be driving, that extra value could propel the Hyundai Santa Fe to being your top choice. It’s a close call between which performs better, you’ll want to consider whether the off-road is going to come into play and how important the extra fuel efficiency is.

Which Model Fits Your Budget?

Often, the choice between vehicles can come down to price and which is more financially viable. Though, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Palisade are similar in this area as well. The base Hyundai Santa Fe SE starts at MSRP $34,200 versus the base Hyundai Palisade SE which starts at MSRP $36,800.

Choosing either vehicle grants you access to Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance and America’s Best Warranty—a 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. Plus, #1 Cochran Hyundai Monroeville frequently holds specials and also offers certified pre-owned vehicles for both models, allowing you the chance to get the most value possible whichever you choose. We’re dedicated to ensuring all drivers, from Churchill to Trafford and all across Western PA, find the best choice for them.

Should I Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Hyundai Palisade?

No matter the choice between the two, you’re looking at a reliable vehicle that excels at providing all types of drivers an unforgettable experience.

The choice mostly comes down to the small, but important, advantages each model has. This includes fuel efficiency and off-road performance for the Hyundai Santa Fe versus more technology and enhanced performance from the Hyundai Palisade. Both have the captivating unibody design, but depending on tastes you might gravitate more to the retro, boxy aesthetic of the Hyundai Santa Fe or the classic presence of the Hyundai Palisade. Both offer great value and both provide safe, reliable driving no matter the trim.

Whether you choose one of them, or decide you want to see the rest of our lineup, feel free to visit us at #1 Cochran Hyundai Monroeville. From Penn Hills to Plum and all across Western PA, drivers have can always rely on the #1 Cochran family for all their automotive needs.