Hyundai Palisade vs Toyota Fortuner
What's the difference?

Hyundai Palisade

$66,800 - $93,400

2026 price

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Toyota Fortuner

$53,990 - $70,990

2025 price

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Summary

2026 Hyundai Palisade

2025 Toyota Fortuner

By Emily Agar

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.5L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.8L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

6.8L/100km (combined)

7.6L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Refined ride and handling
Timeless design
Easy to manoeuvre

Capable 4WD
Rugged build
Function over fashion

Dislikes

Rear bench-style seats are firm
Safety systems sometimes clunky
More expensive than rivals

Feels old
Lacklustre performance
Driver-assist tech needs work

2026 Hyundai Palisade Summary

If you’re in the market for an eight-seat family SUV, the Hyundai Palisade has probably already crossed your radar. But now there’s a twist. Hyundai has taken this well-established large SUV and given it a hybrid powertrain.

That puts it up against familiar rivals like the Toyota Kluger GXL Hybrid and Kia Sorento Sport+ Hybrid which are both strong players in the family-friendly space. The version we’re looking at for this review is the mid-spec Elite and we're family-testing it to see if the new hybrid powertrain makes for a winning combo.

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2025 Toyota Fortuner Summary

The Toyota Fortuner has been around since 2015 with very few significant changes in the years between then and now.

And that’s telling because the HiLux-based Fortuner has never managed to make the mark in its market segment that Toyota would so dearly like it to.

With a new Fortuner possibly due in the not-too-distant future – with Toyota’s mild-hybrid 48V V-Active system onboard perhaps? – it’s worth revisiting the seven-seat Fortuner to see how the current ageing 4WD wagon stands up against its fresher rivals.

Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Hyundai Palisade 2025 Toyota Fortuner

Verdict

The new hybrid powertrain for the Hyundai Palisade is a welcome addition for families looking for an efficient three-row SUV that doesn’t drive like a brick and looks good at the school pick up or client lunch. Overall, the Palisade remains a solid, all-round package that deserves praise and the eighth seat is an added bonus.

Verdict

The Toyota Fortuner is a family friendly wagon and a very capable 4WD, but it’s looking and feeling decidedly old, especially when cross-shopped against the current highly competitive 4WD wagon market in which vehicles are increasingly stylish, sophisticated and packed with driver-assist tech (that isn't clunky) and standard features (that are extensive).

The Fortuner is practical and easy to live with as a daily driver, and in GXL spec it makes a lot of sense as a functional not flashy off-road tourer, but it’s far from the best family 4WD wagon around.

Until a next-generation Fortuner possibly arrives, there are plenty of Toyota fans who’d happily settle for a current Fortuner – if they haven’t already.

Hyundai Palisade vs Toyota Fortuner What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Hyundai Palisade vs Toyota Fortuner
What's the difference?