‘Comparable To Lexus Or Acura’: Should You Get A Hyundai Palisade Over Its Toyota Counterpart? This Salesman Says It’s Bordering On ‘Luxury’
A Texas car salesman’s TikTok pitch for the Hyundai Palisade might sound like typical dealership hyperbole. But Joe Waklili’s (@habibiwiththedeals) believes that Hyundai now rivals Lexus, Acura, and Toyota reflecting a deliberate corporate strategy years in the making.
“I got a question for my Toyota people that are driving either a RAV or a Highlander,” Waklili starts, immediately targeting a specific audience. He is walking the grounds at Huffines Hyundai dealership in McKinney, TX. “I got something in, a Hyundai Palisade. We call it the panda. You’ll see why in just a second. Somebody posted a comment the other day saying, ‘Grand Highlander is whatever. It’s better, it’s this, it’s that.’”
Then, he gets into the meat of his point. “It got me thinking, though. Hyundai, [its present iteration] started 15 to 20 years ago, has really dominated the market along with Toyota, Honda, Acura, and Lexus,” he shares. “And I think Hyundai is now gonna be a sort of a luxury brand. Very, very comparable to, say, a Lexus or an Acura.”
He also runs down the specs on the Palisade Calligraphy, detailing the amenities. He is making a point and some may consider it a luxurious car.
Hyundai’s Big Plan For Future Cars
Waklili isn’t blowing exhaust smoke.
This affordable-luxury push is part of Hyundai’s ambitious 2030 vision, unveiled at its 2025 CEO Investor Day. The roadmap includes expanding its hybrid lineup to more than 18 models by 2030 and investing $2.7 billion in product development. The ‘good-better-best’ strategy creates a three-tier approach: the cheaper, value-oriented base models, premium mainstream offerings like the Palisade Calligraphy, and the fully separated Genesis luxury brand.
The official pricing announcement shows the 2026 Palisade starting at $38,935 MSRP, with the Palisade Hybrid targeting up to 34 mpg and 619 miles of driving range, positioning it as “bigger, better, and goes further.” Per Kelley Blue Book, “The Palisade primarily competes with midsize SUVs like the Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, and the mechanically similar Kia Telluride.”
The Calligraphy models start at $54,060, whereas the Genesis models start at $42,500 for the base G70. Genesis’ flagship vehicle is the G90, which starts at $89,700 and is a full-on luxury offering rivaling BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus. One guide says the Calligraphy “will even peel off prospective buyers from luxury brands.”
To be clear, Genesis is still the official luxury line; Calligraphy is a tweener, a bridge trim within the mainstream brand.
How Does the Hyundai Palisade Compare Against Toyota Grand Highlander
The Hyundai Palisade, specifically, is directly in competition with the Toyota Highlander/Grand Highlander. So let’s plug in some numbers.
MAINSTREAM COMPETITOR COMPARISON: PALISADE vs. GRAND HIGHLANDER
| CATEGORY | 2026 HYUNDAI PALISADE | 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER |
| Market Position | Mainstream → Premium Mainstream | Mainstream (Basis for Lexus TX) |
| PRICING | ||
| Base Model | $38,935 (SE) | $42,855 (LE) |
| Mid-Tier | ~$45,000 (SEL Premium) | $48,000+ (XLE) |
| Top Gas Trim | ~$52,000 (Limited) | ~$54,000+ (Platinum) |
| TOP PREMIUM TRIM | $58,280 (Calligraphy AWD Hybrid) | $54,000+ (Platinum) |
| Price Difference | +$4,280 MORE | (for top trim) |
| ENGINE OPTIONS | ||
| Standard | 3.5L V6, 291 hp | 2.4L Turbo I-4, 265 hp |
| Hybrid | 2.5L Turbo Hybrid, 329 hp | 2.5L Hybrid, 245 hp |
| Performance Hybrid | — | Hybrid Max, 362 hp |
| FUEL ECONOMY | ||
| Gas MPG | 19/26/22 (FWD) | 21/28/23 (FWD) |
| Hybrid MPG | Up to 34 mpg | 36 mpg (standard hybrid) |
| Hybrid Range | Up to 619 miles | ~550 miles |
| INTERIOR | ||
| Seating | 7-8 passengers | 8 passengers (7 with captains) |
| Cargo Space | 87/46/19 cu ft | 97.5 cu ft max |
| Third-Row | Power-adjustable, heated (Calligraphy) | Standard bench |
| PREMIUM FEATURES (TOP TRIMS) | ||
| Upholstery | Nappa leather (Calligraphy) | Synthetic leather (Platinum) |
| Seats | Front + 2nd row relaxation seats | Heated/ventilated 2nd row |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 12-speaker | JBL available |
| Tech | Dual dash cams (Calligraphy) | Head-up display |
| Screen | 12.3″ touchscreen | 12.3″ touchscreen |
| Moonroof | Standard panoramic | Panoramic (higher trims) |
| WARRANTY | ||
| Basic | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Hybrid Battery | 10 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/150,000 miles |
| Maintenance | — | 2 years complimentary |
| TOWING | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| KEY ADVANTAGE | Luxury features in mainstream SUV | Toyota reliability + better MPG |
Not Everyone Is Buying The Palisade Hype
The pro-Toyota and others came out of the woodwork to cape for their brands on Waklili’s clip. “Hyundai and Kia are still junk. Always have been,” said one guy. “Problem is you pay all the money now when new, but in only 3 years or less it loses so much value compared to a Toyota,” another person wrote.
Of course, there is data to back this up. JP Power’s annual Vehicle Dependability Study shows Toyota ranks fourth, while Hyundai ranks 20th in 2025.
“Hyundai makes the nicest interior and best bang for your buck,” said one person. “But every time I want one, I look at the failed Hyundai and Kia transmission and engine page, and I feel better. But if I were to get one, I would sell it after 5 years.”
There was one fan, a fellow carsalesman.
“From someone who sells Toyota and has Hyundai as well, I will say the Palisade is truly impressive,” he said. “[Versus] the Grand Highlander, Toyota has the space and reliability, but man, those 3rd row heated seats are awesome! Hyundai has really stepped up. I have lost a couple of sales to the Palisade for sure.”
MotorBiscuit reached out to Waklili via TikTok direct message and comment, and Hyundai via email.
