SUVOTY I Contenders
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 7-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission 3.8L DOHC 24-valve V-6/8-speed automatic Curb Weight
(F/R Dist) 4,459 lb (56/44%) Wheelbase 114.2 in Length x Width x Height 196.1 x 77.8 x 68.9 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy 177/140 kW-hr/100 miles
CO2 Emissions, Comb 0.93 lb/mileSPECS 2020 Hyundai Palisade HTRAC
Base Price/As Tested $34,295/$47,605
Power (SAE net) 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 7.1 sec
Quarter Mile 15.3 sec @ 89.1 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 129 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.74 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 28.3 sec @ 0.63 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 19/24/21 mpgW
ith smart packaging,
room for seven, and lots
of thoughtful features,
the Palisade delivers sufficiently
macho looks while providing for
your family. If it carried a BMW
or Lexus badge, it would cost 75
grand. Instead, a loaded version
comes in a touch over $47,000.
“The style, materials, and
feature content are enough to go
toe to toe with anything Buick or
Acura can offer,” Evans said. “And
the interior is nicer than some
luxury vehicles.”eased by built-in grab handles,
but it can be tight back there.
Clever touches include center-
console storage, usefully located
USB ports, and a screen that
shows your blind spots.
Overall, this is a crossover for
the practical buyer, Priddle said:
“Thoughtful touches, not driving
dynamics, are the reason to buy
this.” Mark Rechtina locking center differential, and
downhill speed control.
Then there’s its looks. The
Palisade’s Predator-with-an-
underbite visage is a challenge to
confront every morning. However,
de Nysschen was complimentary
of the “attractive, modern interior
design with good packaging.”
The second-row seats slide
fore and aft. Third-row access isA platform cousin of the Kia
Telluride, the Palisade’s ride more
approximates that of a floaty
minivan than a bumpy SUV. The
suspension’s composure over
bumps is impressive for a big
vehicle—but there was tire howl
around even the gentlest curves.
The engine unfortunately
feels a bit soggy in getting up
to speed. Thankfully, throttle
response is adequate, and the
transmission shifts quickly.
For those in snowy climes, the
Palisade offers all-wheel drive,PRO Tremendous value • Stylish interior • Packaging, storage solutions
CON Adequate engine • Tight third row • Oh ... that grilleHyundai Palisade
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission 3.5L SOHC 24-valve V-6/9-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist) 4,264
lb (58/42%)Wheelbase 110.9 in Length x Width x Height 190.5 x 78.6 x 72.2 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy 177/140 kW-hr/100 miles CO2 Emissions,
Comb 0.93 lb/mileSPECS 2019 Honda Passport Elite
Base Price/As Tested $44,775/$44,775
Power (SAE net) 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 6.6 sec
Quarter Mile 15.1 sec @ 89.2 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 135 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.78 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 28.1 sec @ 0.64 g (avg)
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 19/24/21 mpgWhere the Passport unques-
tionably shines is in packaging.
Honda claims it has class-leading
passenger room and interior
volume, and it certainly looks and
feels that way on the inside. “The
huge, fold-flat second-row seat
means you can park and take a
nap in the back, even if you’re 6
feet tall,” Rechtin said.
“Bland” and “lacking emotional
appeal” were how a couple of
SUVOTY judges described the
Passport, noting bolder players in
the competitive set. These judgesI
f the Honda Pilot is a pair of blue
jeans, the new Honda Passport
is jorts (jean shorts, for you
olds out there); both have the
same width and wheelbase, but
the Passport is 6 inches shorter
overall and thus has two rows of
seats to the Pilot’s three.
The Honda Pilot, Ridgeline,
Odyssey, and Passport share the
same American-made 3.5-liter
V-6 engine, albeit in slightly
different states of tune. In our
Passport Elite AWD tester, this
naturally aspirated V-6 is goodfor 280 horsepower and 262-lb-ft
of torque, leading to a 0–60 time
of 6.6 harmonious seconds.
“The engine emits a lovely
melody with smooth and satis-
fying shifts from the nine-speed
auto,” Priddle said, commending
the Passport’s sole transmission
option. Editors generally agreed
that the transmission is better
in the Passport than it is in other
applications.
Evans took it even further: “All
the sloppiness and clunkiness
have been purged.”may not care to be seen in jorts,
but they couldn’t deny the Pass-
port’s off-road capability, safety
and value.
With a 5-Star NHTSA safety
rating, three-zone climate
control, heated and ventilated
seats, Apple CarPlay, and
onboard Wi-Fi, Passport presents
a safe and solid value. Said
Cortina, a noted jorts aficio-
nado, “The amount of space and
equipment that one gets for the
money is pretty good.”
Edward LohPRO Huge, useful interior package • Great value • Five-star safety rating
CON Ho-hum exterior • Unremarkable driving dynamics • Not very stylishHonda Passport
22 MOTORTREND.COM JANUARY 2020