2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking design. It featured distinctive lines and shapes, including a prominent grille, crisp shoulder lines, and a tasteful tailgate. The SUV's profile was enhanced by sculpted wheel arches and a continuous strip of glass surfaces, creating a floating rear roof effect. The Palisade's LED headlights, running lights, and accents provided a signature look, while 20-inch alloy wheels were standard in Canada. Inside, the Palisade offered a luxurious experience with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, high-quality materials, and spacious seating for up to eight passengers. The Ultimate Calligraphy model, in particular, impressed with its near-luxury fit and finish.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a blend of subtle seductiveness and newfound ruggedness. Its design featured a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, complemented by blistered fender swells and oversized air intake designs. The CX-50's exterior elements, including a black grille and mirror caps, along with available 20-inch alloy wheels, created an appealing look. The interior boasted a driver-focused design with quality materials, polished metallic trim, and a mix of analog and digital gauges. The CX-50 offered comfortable seating with heated and ventilated options, and its cargo space was practical, though slightly limited compared to some competitors. Overall, the CX-50 presented a good-looking compact crossover with a modern and adventurous vibe.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a smooth and powerful driving experience without 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. Despite its middling efficiency, the Palisade delivered ample power for family use. It had a towing capacity of up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes and handled well with its four-wheel independent suspension.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The base GT model featured a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, while the GT Turbo trim boasted a turbocharged version producing up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine's power varied depending on the fuel type, with 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. The CX-50's fuel economy was rated at 10.4 L/100 km city, 8.1 highway, and 9.4 combined. The turbocharged engine provided smooth acceleration and a broad power curve, with minimal turbo lag. The CX-50's Mi-Drive system offered various driving modes, enhancing its versatility. It had a towing capacity of up to 1,587 kilograms and performed well on different terrains, though it lacked a downhill assist control system.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement, offering comfortable seating and ample storage throughout the cabin. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were notably comfortable. The front row featured generous storage options, including compartments in the centre console and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space measured 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,297 litres with the third row folded, and a cavernous 2,447 litres with both rows down. The Palisade's gear selector used a compact shift-by-wire setup, and controls were logically arranged. A dual-panel sunroof and luxury features like Nappa leather upholstery were available on higher trims.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control added to the comfort. The back seat was spacious enough for adults, and rear doors opened wide for easy access. Storage space was adequate, though some opportunities for additional bins were missed. The CX-50 provided 889 litres of cargo space, with a maximum of 1,595 litres when the rear seats were folded. The available power rear liftgate and side bins added convenience for securing loose items.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology with a standard display audio system featuring a 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen. Most trims included a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers and Clari-Fi music restoration technology. The infotainment system offered wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and satellite radio. USB ports were available in all rows, and a Qi wireless charging pad was included in the Ultimate Calligraphy model. The Palisade also featured Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display on higher trims.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The system featured a 10.25-inch display, though touchscreen control was limited to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The user interface relied on centre console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition, which could be distracting. The available Bose 12-speaker Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The CX-50 also offered an Active Driving Display, projecting important information within the driver's line of sight.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured a comprehensive list of passive and active safety features, including seven airbags, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection. The Palisade also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Highway Driving Assist on higher trims.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to some headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance results. The CX-50 included a generous standard package of driving assistance systems, such as active blind-spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in, requiring manual intervention.