Compare the2023 Hyundai PalisadeVS 2023 Volvo XC90

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Palisade are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The XC90 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Palisade and the XC90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Palisade is safer than the Volvo XC90:

	Palisade	XC90
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	19%	27%
Neck Stress	161 lbs.	252 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	94/151 lbs.	567/631 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	132 lbs.	177 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	351/306 lbs.	383/334 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Palisade is safer than the Volvo XC90:

	Palisade	XC90
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	51
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	113 lbs.	153 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	189 lbs.	608 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Palisade is safer than the XC90:

	Palisade	XC90
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	68	123
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	245 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	.91 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.18 in	1.42 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	7 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	70	124
Neck Compression	-67 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.38 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	491 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Palisade its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 134 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC90 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The Palisade comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The XC90’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Palisade 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the XC90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Palisade’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Palisade’s reliability 26 points higher than the XC90.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 71 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Hyundai higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 108 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 1 place higher in reliability than Volvo.

Engine

The Palisade’s 3.8 DOHC V6 produces 44 more horsepower (291 vs. 247) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the XC90 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Palisade is faster than the XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

	Palisade	XC90
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.1 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	92.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Palisade uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC90 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Brakes and Stopping

The Palisade stops shorter than the XC90:

	Palisade	XC90
70 to 0 MPH	177 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Palisade has larger tires than the XC90 (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R19).

Suspension and Handling

The Palisade has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC90’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Palisade uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Palisade is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the XC90.

The Palisade Limited AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the XC90 B6 Core pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Palisade’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the XC90’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

Chassis

The Hyundai Palisade may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Volvo XC90.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Palisade Limited AWD is quieter than the XC90 B6 Core:

	Palisade	XC90
At idle	38 dB	48 dB
Full-Throttle	74 dB	74 dB

Passenger Space

The Palisade has standard seating for 8 passengers; the XC90 can only carry 7.

The Palisade has 51.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC90 (155.3 vs. 103.8).

The Palisade has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 3.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 5.4 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room, 4.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.5 inches more third row headroom and 8.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Palisade’s middle and third row seats recline. The XC90’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Palisade’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

	Palisade	XC90
Behind Third Seat	18 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	45.8 cubic feet	35.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	86.4 cubic feet	85.7 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Palisade easier. The Palisade’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.6 inches, while the XC90’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Palisade’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC90 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Towing

The Palisade’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (5000 vs. 4000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Palisade Calligraphy’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Palisade has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XC90 doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Palisade’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XC90’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Palisade has standard extendable sun visors. The XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Palisade SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy has standard heated front seats and second and third row heated seats also avaiable, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Volvo doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the XC90.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Palisade’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The XC90 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Palisade Calligraphy’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The XC90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Palisade is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Palisade owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Palisade with a number “8” insurance rate while the XC90 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Palisade is less expensive to operate than the XC90 because typical repairs cost much less on the Palisade than the XC90, including $484 less for a water pump, $218 less for a starter, $33 less for fuel injection, $131 less for a fuel pump and $45 less for front struts.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Palisade, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC90 isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Palisade first among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XC90 isn’t in the top three.

The Hyundai Palisade outsold the Volvo XC90 by over two to one during 2022.

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