DecodedCarsHyundai Palisade vs Toyota 4Runner
2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Hyundai Palisade is more fuel-efficient: 34 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $950 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Palisade (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
Across all model years since 2005, the Hyundai Palisade has had fewer recall campaigns (16 vs 38).
The two cars
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (33 city / 35 highway), 57% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $1,950 a year in fuel.
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).
Buying used? The 2022 Palisade and the 2024 4Runner have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 4Runner.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai Palisade if…
- You want lower fuel bills (34 vs 23 MPG)
- You want more standard driver-assist tech
- You put reliability history first (16 vs 38 recalls since 2005)
Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…
It doesn't clearly beat the Hyundai Palisade on any measure we track.
Pros & cons of each
2026 Hyundai Palisade
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 57% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (21.7 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
2026 Toyota 4Runner
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Full 2026 Hyundai Palisade specs →Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →