Outright speed is not the Palisade’s or Pilot’s strongest selling point. During Edmunds’ testing, the Palisade needed 7.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph, compared to 7.8 seconds for the Pilot. Going by the numbers, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade’s 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic are a match for its Honda rival. PERFORMANCE AND DRIVING The Honda Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 delivers 285 horsepower to the wheels courtesy of a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The experts at Edmunds put these practical three-row SUVs in a head-to-head comparison to see which is the better choice. For 2023, the Palisade gets an exterior makeover along with a tougher-looking trim called XRT, an upgraded touchscreen interface and more available features. Introduced in 2020, the Palisade made a name for itself thanks to its spacious cabin and many standard features. In comparison, the Hyundai Palisade is a relative newcomer among midsize three-row SUVs.

This more rugged design is highlighted by the new-for-2023 off-road-themed TrailSport trim. Twenty years later, the 2023 Pilot enters its fourth generation with updated front and rear styling for a more truck-like shape than its predecessor. The Honda Pilot first joined the automaker’s lineup for the 2003 model year and it’s been a popular choice for midsize crossover SUV shoppers ever since.

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