we cross shopped the Q7 and the X7 which was quickly eliminated due to price getting to the 90K$. We have yet to drive the Palisade to the mountains but that is our goal.
It's more roomy than the Q7. we have 3 kids as well. they are 11, 13,15 so they dont want to sit next to each other. Even with the Palisade we will use a Yakima box on top to hold all the skis, boots, snowboards, etc.
My friend ended up getting the Q7 for his 3 kids of similar age. Yakima box on top for gear and ski/board rack on the hitch. Definitely less room room inside for cargo.

Q7 is more fun to drive though.

 

I think you answered your own question,less room when the 3rd Row is up but certainly a Bang for your Buck with the Palisade.Ive owned BOTH and theres no comparison,the Hyundai is clearly the Winner.Just traded my 2021 Palisade Limited for the 2024 Palisade Caligraphy,Better than the Escalade,Q7-8 and as for Trade In Value,I calculated it cost me less than $500.00 per Month to Own it,you cant lease a Palisade Caligraphy for less than $900.00 per Month or $795.00 per Month with a Palisade Limited.Folding down Half of the 3rd Row is more than enough room with 3 Kids and Skis with the 2nd row Captain Chairs,I lost my shirt owning 2 Audi's at Trade In time and they spent 25% of the time in the Shop including repairing the Sun Roof Rails at $1200.00 "Not Covered".Technology comes from Hyundai Employed German Engineers and now BMW M's 30 Year German Engineer Albert Biermann is making Hyundai blow German cars out of the water.

 

This post is a very detailed comparison of Palisade and X7.

credit to @CVP33

Hyundai Palisade Forum

www.palisadeforum.com

 

Interesting choices. For me:

Palisade - $52K fully loaded Caligraphy. I believe the best you’ll find nowadays is $1K off MSRP. Great vehicle, amazing tech, awesome space, great mileage. A little noisy inside and less refined. But at $20K less there are going to be trade offs. Most complaints I hear/see are around the lack of folding mirrors, dual exhaust, more performance. None of that bothered us during our 12 mos and 17K miles of ownership.

Q7 - $85K built to match the Palisade. We didn’t try to negotiate on this one but Audi dealers are notoriously tough. Best interior period. Also amazing tech, especially the driver interface. Terrible mileage, terrible space and definitely the sport oriented of the bunch. We only test drove this one and didn’t go any further. Its really a terrible 3 row SUV if you need to transport 6 adult humans. But it is incredible to drive and the fit/finish is amazing.

X7 - $83K built to match the Palisade and beat it in several categories, except space. The Palisade is the roomiest, especially in the 3rd row. I was able to get at least 3 dealers to $12K off sticker. The BMW is everything you’ve heard and it beat both the Mercedes and Audi in all head to head tests that I’ve read. The tune-able suspension and experience modes are pretty cool and actually change the steering, throttle response and suspension mapping. The BMW has a split personality in sport or comfort mode. It’s easily the quietest and most composed of the 3 in comfort mode and nearly the match of the Audi in sport mode, although not quite. Hard to believe this thing gets 27mpg on the highway and will do 0-60 in 5.4 seconds......if that’s your thing.

 

Here’s a pic of our 2.

 

For the record my perfect SUV would:

1) Cost $51K like the Palisade
2) Have the interior space of the Palisade.
3) Have the exterior styling of the Telluride, except add 22” wheels and dual exhaust.
4) The interior of the Genesis GV80 - that interior is absolutely perfect! Better than the Mercedes IMO.
5) The performance of the BMW X7 in M50i trim and not the lowly 40i that I bought.

 

It depends on the size of your and tall they will grow. My family, all girls, are 5'9" and fit comfortably in front a 2nd row. They sat just to try 3rd row and fit nicely, but seats were not comfortable for them. I am 6'4" 250 lbs and forget about the 3rd row. It wont happen unless it is an emergency. Second row is comfortable for me, but I always drive whatever car we use.

The 4 of us just spent a mini vacation in the Smokey Mountains. The Pali drove nicely with the just the 4 of us and normal gear... backpacks, water and hiking sticks.

On road trips, highway driving, I let the Pali drive me.

2020 limited..

 

For me the factor that would keep me from buying the Europeans is owing them out of warranty will be costly, more than likely. OP says they want to own this car for 10 plus years?

so the question you need to ask yourself is, are you willing to pay for repairs out of warranty?

all my friends who have owned their BMWs, Mercs or Audis past their warranty periods have told me they’d never do it again.

 

These are all really useful data points, thank you @cclcal @CVP33 @Eric G

For me the factor that would keep me from buying the Europeans is owing them out of warranty will be costly, more than likely.

This is a really good point @raggedy1, thanks for raising this

 

the fact that you're even considering these side by side suggests it's a no brainer to get the palisade. invest the difference for your kids in an S&P index fund and change their lives with that 30K compounding over time

 

Our kids are 8/6.5/just-3 and we got the bench... I made some notes here: 3 kids (with various levels of car seats) across the...

Short version is that you won't have any good access (that I could find) to the 3rd row until you get at least one of them out of a booster. This is not a ding specific to Hyundai.. in general I'd say few of the auto companies place sufficient value on making their family-haulers family-friendly... ie. lack of LATCH anchors, LATCH anchors on the wrong side of the belt buckle, too-recessed-for-kids-buckles, seat belts coming from high on the pillar (across the kids necks) vs. from the seat-back (which would be lower).

So in 2-3 years, it'll be a versatile car for you.. but for now it will be 2 rows with a generous trunk.

If you aren't in a rush, it would be worth waiting to see what the 2021 Pathfinder is like (ie. the 2nd row can tip forward WITH car seat installed), and/or if Honda ever updates the Pilot (they won't be smart enough to do it, but they should copy the 2nd-row sliding "magic seat" function from the Odyssey (ie. gives you both capt chairs and bench))

The Atlas is also has a more kid-friendly 2nd-rown, but I strong prefer cloth seats (for the southeast US summers), and the only Atlas trim level with cloth is the very base model.

I looked all the way up to the $70k levels and couldn't find anything more configurable.

The Expedition has a 2nd row middle bench which can be removed easily (<10 minutes) (resulting in effectively having capt chairs), but alas the Explorer does not (I was told > 1 hr to remove the 2nd row middle)

 

Just to touch on raggity1's comments - full coverage, $0 deductible for 10 years 120K miles is available for $1398 from Burlington Hyundai. This is a genuine Hyundai warranty, not a third party. For someone that keeps their cars until the wheels fall off (me) extended warranties give a lot of piece of mind, and $1398 is a screaming deal. I doubt the cost for a similar factory extended warranty for an X7 or Q7 would even be in the same time zone.

 

Maybe I have been spoiled by my previous vehicles. Most of them have been driven 10 years except a 2005 highlander that lasted us for 15 years and was running great when we traded it in. I have never purchased any type of extended warranty. I have never needed one. Maybe I just jinxed myself but I steer clear of extended warranties. We have only owned Toyota, Honda and Hyundai vehicles. The loan exception was a Mazda 626 that we leased and that thing was a pos. I couldn't wait to turn that thing in and be done with it.

 

What worries me is the electronics, especially in a new model. In my old Lexus LS460 the nav unit replacement cost $13,000. I also had an LS430 with air suspension, the right front shock started leaking air and had to be replaced. Can't just replace one, at a minimum have to replace both front shocks. Another $5K. Thankfully both were covered by an extended warranty. I'm sure Hyundai repair costs aren't in nose bleed territory like Lexus but if something like a nav unit or that big, bright, beautiful screen goes out it's going to be a dealer repair. I know I won't have to worry about repair costs until 2030, and by then I'll be ready for something else.

 

I own a Q5, my dad a Q7 and we just bought a 2020 Canadian Palisade Ultimate coming from a 2011 Honda Odyssey.

The Palisade was the safe choice and in my opinion, a compromise.

I find the acceleration adequate for such a large vehicle that runs on regular fuel.
It will never be as "fun" to drive as the Q5/Q7, but the interior legroom, headroom usable 3rd row, and truck space can not be beaten (I'm 6'5", my 16 yr old son 6'3" and growing).
The largest complaint from the rear passengers is nausea on twisty back roads, the Palisade does not corner as well as either the Audi or the Honda minivan.
The driver assistance tech works well but is not as refined as the Q7 or Q5. The 360 camera is also much better in the Q5/Q7.
The MMI with the sound system is much better on the Audi. I use Waze through Android auto and is it is hard to get the radio station info (XM or FM) at the same time.

Things that are missing on the Palisade which are weird for me.

• no lock on the glove compartment.
• much smaller gas tank than I'm used to (only about 650 km range).
• seat memory is not linked to the key (a feature even my 2011 Honda has).
• I prefer the motion sensor of the Audi to unlock the car VS the push button of the Palisade.
• folding mirrors when locked is missing.
• I prefer having some radio preset physical buttons like in the Audi.

Palisade is better than the Q7:
-more storage areas
-more leg and headroom
-more affordable
-cheaper fuel (Q7 uses premium gas)
-cheaper for parts, accessories, repairs, warranties, and price.
-a less shiny target for thieves
-larger trunk
-has a spare instead of run-flat tires
-larger dealer network (more choice for getting repairs done)
-I also like when the driver's seat reverses all of the way back when the engine turns off which makes it easier to exit the vehicle.

 

Here’s how Doug DeMuro saw the new Tahoe. At the end you can see how he ranks 3 row SUV’s that he’s tested. If you put any faith in his Doug scoring method.

 

A 2021 Tahoe High Country also starts at $71k and can go upwards of $80k. Even a base Tahoe starts at $55k.

 

Remember Eric our OP is cross shopping two $80,000+ vehicles. It’s doubtful he’ll be scared off by a $73,000 MSRP.

 

I'm aware. It should still be mentioned as a point of comparison.

Also, this is a public forum. People other than the OP also read this thread and may appreciate having this info.

 

LOL....it is. In the video, but thanks? As for others joining the conversation, the math will be the same and irrefutable. If you have headroom up to $85K then the new Tahoe is less and easily fits in the consideration set.

 

Not everyone will watch the video. Not everyone who reads this thread is necessary looking to spend that kind of money and is simply interested in reading how people compare these cars.

I don't know why you have such a problem with my posting the price of the Tahoe High Country. It's useful info in the context of this thread. Let it go already.

 

I’ve owned (or leased) several luxury vehicles (Cadillac, Lincoln, Xfinity), but this vehicle represents an extreme value, for what you get. It’s not as powerful as the X7 or other imports, but it’s adequate. I too go to the mountains, but usually take my 4 wheel drive Ram pick-up truck, because of traction and size. The tires (factory) on The Palisade are not sufficient for winter mountain travel, but you will find all kinds of tire upgrades on this forum.

The Palisade is big enough for a large family, but not for all your gear. I don’t have a large immediate family, but I could never get all my gear required for an extended mountain trip in The Palisade. With interior packing management, I’m sure you could make it work. Overall, I recommend The Palisade to you, just for the value it represents.

 

I have a Hyundai Santa Fe and will likely upgrade to the larger Palisade. I test drove one and 7 of us went on a short road trip. My son was almost 6 feet tall at the time and he and his cousin rode in the very back seats. He said it was fine for the short trip but if we were spending days driving he would like the middle row. He fits very well in the middle row. We loved all the features that come with the Palisade. Now I just have to talk myself into giving up my gas mileage for my son's comfort! He will be driving in a couple of years anyway. I have not driven the Q7 so I cannot say much about it.

 

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses. It's a testament to this vehicle that it's not seen as crazy to run comps to cars 20-30k higher.

And the fact that such a kind and supportive community already exists counts for a lot too!

 

Not a direct response to the OP's question asked, but perhaps something to consider for those who are in a similar position:

An SUV is great as a daily driver, hauling people and some cargo, and long road trips. By design these cars are excellent at hauling and limited by the laws of physics when it comes to fun to drive. Yes, some SUVs are better balanced and are more engaging to drive than others, but if you are looking for a fun car, a tall box on wheels with a high center of gravity and a lot of weight is not going to satisfy. If the budget allows it, maybe buy the practical and value-packed Palisade for the family and daily responsibilities, then with the money you saved buy yourself a really fun car that can actually deliver the "Sport" you seek in the SUV.
I see there are several reasons this wont work for lots of people but it is just an idea.

I personally love the looks and handling of the X7 (even in 6 cylinder form) so if money were no object, I'd lease that in a heartbeat. Unfortunately money is a concern of mine and I'd hate to own another German car out of warranty again, despite how nice they were. The peace of mind of owning a car with such a long warranty is priceless these days, especially with how complicated cars are now compared to how they were just 10 years ago.

Best of luck in your car search and please keep us updated! Cheers to years of trouble-free driving

 

Simply some perspective... I can't and won't spend $80+K on an SUV, so the 2020 Palisade Limited at $48K (I also negotiated over $2.8K off the sticker as well) that we purchased is meeting our needs and the fit and finish in some instances rivals vehicles nearly twice it's price. The Palisade gets a lot of looks and compliments.

I'm a performance "car" guy and have ridden in and driven various Audi's, BMW's, MB's, etc. and for the money, I'm not all that impressed. Looking at maintenance costs of those vehicles (once outside of the included maintenance) I find the pricing to be ridiculous and for those where money is no object. I'm fine spending money on a collector vehicle, but not a depreciable asset like an SUV. I had a BMW 540i that was out of the warranty period and it developed a vacuum leak which turned out to be a rubber boot and the dealer whacked me over $800 to find and replace a $30 piece of rubber... yes smoke testing and diagnostic time was also part of the cost, but $800 (discounted) is insane, but part of owning a "high-end" brand. Additionally, the various codes that started popping up as well from time to time made me send it on it's way. These types of issues with a Hyundai should be much more reasonable. I'll work through any quirks that may pop up on the Palisade knowing that an $85+K SUV would likely also have some BS to deal with at some point as well.

 

Technically you are paying for repair costs whether you need them or not with an extended warranty. I get it though.

My wife drives an 2014 ES 300h. She loves the car and we haven't needed any extra repair work, knock on wood.

 

Frankly I wouldn’t own any car outside of warranty unless I bought it used and let someone else take the 20-30% depreciation hit for me. There are some cars where the warranty comes into play so often that even in-warranty becomes an issue. Like our Palisade.

The new Tahoe just hit showrooms 3 weeks ago and looks to have improved in all the areas it was lacking, except maybe dash design where it still looks a little dated.

Another thing to consider is true cost of ownership. You can pay $63K for a BMW X7 that’s worth $33K 4 years later. You can pay $51K for a Palisade that’s worth $21K 4 years later. The cost of ownership would be the same. MANY people miss this when buying a car. Warranties and free maintenance neutralize other costs and if mileage is similar you have a wash.

Our dealership saw our Palisade more than we did in the end and after 3 months and 9K on the odometer our X7 has been bullet-proof. We’ll see where we are in 4 years.

 

I'm not following the cost of ownership being the same for two vehicles at two different price points simply because the depreciation is the same even if their is a greater residual on the more expensive vehicle. The cost of ownership can't simply be the depreciation amount + a higher residual. If someone is making a payment on a $63K vehicle, the cost of ownership is noticeably greater than the $51K vehicle, regardless of what the end depreciation is over the ownership term and/or residual value is, especially if there is a loan with interest. If this were the case, then I should have sprung for the $106K Shelby GT500 vs my $65K GT350, especially if I only plan on keeping it for a short number of years. Owning the $63K vehicle for the same duration as the $51K vehicle will cost more. I'm certainly not trying to be the one that is right, because I could care less who is technically right....it's just not the experience that I've had in the many years of owning various vehicles at different price points.

 

I don’t think that residual value works with Fords. LOL, seriously though, this is what trips people up. Sometimes paying $12K more for a vehicle with a better resale value ends up costing less overall. Edmunds has a good calculator that can help you, but every situation is different. My vehicle had an MSRP of $83K and I negotiated down to $63K. That was a dealer demo that is CPO so my B2B warranty ends up being 5.5 years with unlimited mileage and no deductible. Frankly the only way I’d buy a BMW.

My rule is if you can finance for 5 years with nothing down and never be upside down, then you’ve bought well. I just put our 2020 BMW X7 through Carvana for laughs and they offered me $65K. So in essence I drove the vehicle for free for the last 3 months.

 

I don’t think that residual value works with Fords. LOL,

Haha!

Yup, I agree, CPO is the only way to buy a BMW and the only way that I would as well