2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade stood out in the Hyundai lineup as a flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It boasted an elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of being unimaginative. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a signature look. Its design elements, such as the continuous strip of glass surfaces and pronounced taillights, added visual interest and high visibility. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and near-luxury experience with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and spacious seating arrangements, making it a worthy flagship in design and execution.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, while popular, did not achieve the same level of aesthetic appeal. The RX models carried a blunt-nosed design with a visual imbalance due to their wheelbase stretch. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, more minimalistic appearance with contemporary textures and detailing. The RX 350h Luxury model featured beautiful Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Despite its design shortcomings, the RX Hybrid offered a luxurious and comfortable interior experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine choice, while not the most fuel-efficient, provided a satisfying power delivery with no turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel consumption was estimated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.6 on the highway, and 11.1 combined. It featured a four-wheel independent suspension and could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid powertrain options. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, producing 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It featured an adaptive damping suspension and a Direct4 AWD system, providing a more dynamic driving experience. However, its fuel economy was estimated at 8.6 L/100 km, and real-world testing showed an average of 11.3 L/100 km.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality. It offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with ample legroom and headroom. The Palisade provided 509 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded, and 2,447 litres with both the second and third rows folded. It featured a compact shift-by-wire setup, a dual-panel sunroof, and various luxury features in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, such as Nappa leather upholstery and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, while comfortable, had some limitations in interior space. The RX 350h Luxury model offered ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with standard-grade leather. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat affected rear headroom, but it provided excellent leg support. Cargo space was improved over the previous model, with 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the back seat folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology features. It included a 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Palisade offered multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a head-up display in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription plans for full functionality. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cloud-based navigation system, and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. However, the system had some usability issues, such as limited screen menu views and reflections. The RX also offered a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of safety features, including seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and advanced driver assistance systems like blind-spot collision avoidance and forward collision-avoidance assist. It received top safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driver assistance systems such as motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. It also offered Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. However, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert system and curve-speed reduction tech, had usability issues.