In the diverse world of midsize 3-row SUVs, you have choices among relative newcomers and well-established veterans. Two of our favorite options that represent these two camps are the Hyundai Palisade and the Toyota Highlander. Both have a lot to offer for families looking for safe and practical transportation.
Let’s take a closer look at these family haulers and find the right one for you.
2025 Hyundai Palisade
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is simply one of our favorite midsize 3-row SUVs. Its technology is advanced and easy to use, its warranty is unbeatable, and it even gets pretty luxurious in the Calligraphy trims. Notably, this is the final model year for this generation of the Palisade. An all-new model with a hybrid option is on the way for 2026.
Hyundai Palisade Highlights
Class-leading warranty: The Hyundai Palisade comes with the peace of mind of the best warranty coverage in its class. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Bigger interior: The Hyundai Palisade boasts an extra 3.4 inches of third-row legroom and a little more cargo space compared to the Toyota Highlander. This makes the Palisade great for families who will actually use the third row regularly. Your passengers will thank you for choosing the Hyundai.
Outstanding resale value: Resale value is normally Toyota’s thing; it’s the perennial winner of our Best Resale Value award for an automotive brand. However, the Hyundai Palisade has even better resale value than the Toyota Highlander. That means more money in your pocket when it’s time to sell or trade in.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Palisade models for sale near you.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The tried-and-true Toyota Highlander was one of the original midsize 3-row family SUVs, and it’s still one of our favorites. It takes everything we love about the Toyota brand, like safety, reliability, resale value, and efficiency, and packages those virtues as a practical SUV that families can trust.
Toyota Highlander Highlights
Better fuel economy: Comparing their respective base engines, the turbo 4-cylinder in the Highlander is more fuel-efficient than the V6 in the Palisade. According to EPA estimates, the monthly fuel costs of the Toyota are about $20 cheaper than those of the thirstier Hyundai.
Hybrid option: Speaking of fuel economy, the Toyota Highlander has a hybrid option and the Hyundai Palisade doesn’t (although that will change in 2026). The Highlander Hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive and gets an excellent fuel economy rating of 35 combined mpg in every trim.
Toyota reliability: Toyota has a peerless reputation for reliability. You can buy a Highlander or Highlander Hybrid with confidence that it will be a relatively painless ownership experience with modest maintenance costs.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Highlander models for sale near you.
Similarities
These both fit into the midsize SUV class, come standard with three-row seating for up to eight people, and have similar complements of safety and infotainment tech features.
Pricing
New 2025 Hyundai Palisade Prices
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Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$38,675
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$37,213
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$41,425
|
$39,391
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$44,525
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$42,383
|
|||
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$46,025
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$43,820
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|||
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$50,075
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$47,706
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|||
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$52,475
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$50,108
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|||
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$55,975
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$53,428
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles and New 2025 Toyota Highlander vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Hyundai Palisade | 2025 Toyota Highlander | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.8-liter 6-cylinder | N/A |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 pounds | N/A |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm | N/A |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm | N/A |
| Transmission | automatic, 8-speed w/shiftronic | N/A |
| Fuel Economy | 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg | 22 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 0 years/0 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | N/A |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 inches | N/A |
| Overall Length | 196.7 inches | 194.9 inches |
| Width | N/A | 76.0 inches |
| Height | 68.9 inches | 68.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.7 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.7 inches | 41.2 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.1 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 37.8 inches | 36.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 44.1 inches | 42.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 42.4 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 31.4 inches | 28.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.2 inches | 59.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 60.8 inches | 58.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 55.2 inches | 55.0 inches |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 18.0 feet | 16.0 feet |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 45.8 feet | 48.4 feet |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 86.4 feet | 84.3 feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
Although it’s hard to find fault in the Toyota Highlander, the Hyundai Palisade is a better buy for most families. The extra interior space, lower starting price, higher resale value, and better warranty coverage enable the Palisade to beat the Highlander at its own game. If you really want a hybrid, either go with the Highlander or wait for the Palisade Hybrid to arrive for the 2026 model year.