There are a variety of larger 3-row SUVs on the market, including the Hyundai PALISADE, Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas. But with so many options, it can be difficult to know which model best fits your lifestyle. To help you make the best decision, we’ll take a closer look at each of these four vehicles’ specs.

Dimensions and Seating Capacity

You need to make sure that your vehicle’s size is a good fit for your needs. With that in mind, let’s compare each vehicle’s dimensions and seating capacity:

• 2026 Hyundai PALISADE: The PALISADE comes standard as an 8-seater vehicle, but is available with 7-seater configurations. The base configuration measures 5,060 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, and 1,805 mm high. Additionally, it offers 1,052 mm of legroom for the first-row seats, 1,092 mm for the second, and 815 mm for the third.
• 2025 Honda Pilot: Like the PALISADE, the Pilot comes standard as an 8-seater but is available as a 7-seater. The base model measures 1,803 mm tall, 5,077 mm long, and 2,090 mm wide (mirrors folded). It also provides 1,041 mm of legroom for the first row, 1,036 mm for the second row, and 826 mm for the third row, notably offering less legroom than the PALISADE in the first two rows.
• 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander: The Toyota Grand Highlander also comes as an 8-seater, with 7-seater configurations available. The standard Grand Highlander is 1,781 mm tall, 5,114 mm long, and 1,989 mm wide. Toyota does not currently list the Grand Highlander’s legroom measurements on the vehicle’s specifications page.
• 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: The Volkswagen Atlas offers seating for up to 5 or 7 passengers, depending on configuration; notably, it is the only model on this list that does not offer an 8-seater option. The standard Atlas measures 1,787 mm high, 1,990 mm wide, and 5,097 mm long, with 1,058 mm of legroom for the first row, 955 mm for the second row, and 856 mm for the third row.

Powertrains, Performance, and Fuel Economy

It’s important to find a car that balances responsiveness and fuel efficiency. Here’s a look at each of these four SUVs’ available powertrains, plus their performance and fuel economy:

• 2026 Hyundai PALISADE: Drivers can choose between a gasoline or hybrid powertrain. The standard PALISADE has a 287-horsepower gasoline powertrain with a combined fuel economy of 11.1 L/100 km, offering the most power out of any vehicle with a gasoline powertrain on this list. Meanwhile, the upcoming hybrid PALISADE can produce up to 329 horsepower with a combined fuel economy of 8.1 L/100 km.
• 2025 Honda Pilot: The Pilot’s gasoline powertrain can produce 285 horsepower; its base model has a combined fuel efficiency of 11.0 L/100 km.
• 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander: Similarly to the PALISADE, the Grand Highlander is available as either a gasoline or hybrid vehicle. The standard gasoline Grand Highlander can produce 265 horsepower with a combined fuel economy of 10 L/100 km. The hybrid Grand Highlander offers drivers a choice between a powertrain that produces 243 horsepower with a combined fuel economy of 7 L/100 km, or a 362-horsepower powertrain with a combined fuel efficiency of 8.8 L/100 km.
• 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: Like the Pilot, the Atlas only has one available powertrain: a gasoline powertrain capable of producing 269 horsepower, with a combined fuel efficiency of 11.1 L/100 km for the base model.

Interior

The ideal 3-row SUV has a comfortable cabin that caters to all passengers. With that in mind, let’s look at each vehicle’s interior:

• 2026 Hyundai PALISADE: The Palisade offers a wide range of features designed for larger cabins, including an in-car intercom system, the ability to silence rear speakers to avoid disturbing passengers, and a dual-zone automatic temperature control system. It also features a 12.3-inch infotainment display, 7 USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, and 3 years of access to Bluelink®, Hyundai’s connectivity suite. Other standard features include a heated steering wheel and heated second-row seats. Additionally, an available Head-Up Display lets drivers project information on the dashboard.
• 2025 Honda Pilot: Many of the PALISADE’s standard features are only available on higher-tier Pilot configurations. For example, wireless charging, an intercom system, and heated second-row seats are only available on select configurations. Additionally, only select trims can access HondaLink, Honda’s connectivity suite. The standard Pilot also offers fewer USB ports (1 USB-A and 3 USB-C), as well as a 7-inch infotainment display–the smallest on this list. However, like the PALISADE, the Pilot comes standard with a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support; a Head-Up Display is also available.
• 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander: Like the PALISADE, the Grand Highlander features a 12.3-inch infotainment display, 7 USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a heated steering wheel, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Available features include heated second-row seats and a head-up display. The Grand Highlander also comes with a 3-year trial for Remote Connect, Toyota’s Connected Services suite.
• 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: The Atlas comes with a 12-inch infotainment display, 6 USB ports, and a wireless charger, as well as a 4-year trial for Volkswagen Connected Services. The car also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a Head-Up Display is available on the highest-tier trim. While a heated steering wheel comes standard, heated rear seats are only available on select Atlas trims.

Safety

Safety is of the utmost importance in any vehicle. That’s why all four of these SUVs offer Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) which can offer guidance in unsafe situations. Let’s take a closer look at each vehicle’s safety suite:

• 2026 Hyundai PALISADE: The PALISADE comes with a variety of ADAS, including Blind-Spot Collision Warning or Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (depending on trim), High Beam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection. Available features like Blind View Monitor, which displays relevant blind spots on the infotainment display, offer increased protection. The PALISADE also comes with Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go support, which is similar to traditional cruise control but adjusts its speed based on the car ahead.
• 2025 Honda Pilot: The standard Pilot comes with Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Information System, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Forward Collision Warning, among other ADAS. Additionally, it offers Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow.
• 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander: The Grand Highlander features ADAS including Blind Spot Monitoring, Automatic High Beam, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Assist, and Road Sign Assist. Additionally, the car comes with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which works similarly to Adaptive Cruise Control.
• 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: The Atlas comes with Blind Spot Alert, Auto High-Beam Headlights Light Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and other ADAS. Like the PALISADE, it comes with Adaptive Cruise Control with support for stop-and-go traffic.

Discover the Hyundai PALISADE Today

The all-new 2026 Hyundai PALISADE is a spacious, comfortable vehicle that offers impressive performance, strong fuel economy, an extensive safety suite, and plenty of legroom. Additionally, its cabin is designed with 3 rows of passengers in mind, with the ability to silence rear speakers or use the sound system as an intercom.

Curious about the PALISADE? Use the Build and Price tool to customize your ideal configuration. Or, visit your local Hyundai dealership to test-drive the PALISADE today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Check out the FAQ below if you still have questions about the PALISADE or its competitors. You can also contact your local dealership for more information about the PALISADE.

Does the Hyundai Palisade come in a hybrid configuration?

Yes, the 2026 Hyundai PALISADE’s Ultimate Calligraphy and Luxury trims come with a hybrid powertrain. The PALISADE is also available as a gasoline car.

Does the Honda Pilot come in a hybrid configuration?

No, the 2025 Honda Pilot is not available as a hybrid car.

Does the Toyota Grand Highlander come in a hybrid configuration?

Yes, the Toyota Grand Highlander is available as a hybrid vehicle.

Does the Volkswagen Atlas come in a hybrid configuration?

No, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is not available as a hybrid car.

Does the Hyundai Palisade have remote start?

Yes, drivers can remotely start the 2026 Hyundai PALISADE using Bluelink, Hyundai’s connectivity suite; all new Hyundai cars come with 3 years of complimentary Bluelink access. Alternatively, Palisade also comes standard with remote start on the keyfob.

Does the Honda Pilot have remote start?

Yes, the Honda Pilot comes with remote start.

Does the Toyota Grand Highlander have remote start?

Yes, drivers can use the Toyota Grand Highlander’s Remote Connect suite to remotely start their vehicle.

Does the Volkswagen Atlas have remote start?

Yes, the Volkswagen Atlas comes with remote start.

How many seats does the Hyundai Palisade have?

The standard Hyundai PALISADE has 8 seats, but 7-seater configurations are available.

How many seats does the Honda Pilot have?

The Honda Pilot is available as a 7- or 8-seater SUV.

How many seats does the Toyota Grand Highlander have?

The Grand Highlander comes standard as an 8-seater, but drivers can opt for 7-seater configurations.

How many seats does the Volkswagen Atlas have?

The Volkswagen Atlas is available in 5- or 7-seater configurations.

Disclaimer: This article only discusses models and configurations available in Canada. While this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, it may not reflect the latest updates to vehicles, features, or availability. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please contact each model’s respective manufacturer. For information about Hyundai Canada’s vehicles, please consult each model’s respective vehicle listing page on the Hyundai Canada website. Hyundai Canada is not responsible for actions taken based on this content.