2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger and more imposing look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights added to its modern appeal, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. The Palisade's body-colour mirrors were heated and powered, with approach lighting included in the top trim. In Canada, 20-inch alloy wheels were standard, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering a new multi-spoke design. The interior of the Ultimate Calligraphy trim was stylish, featuring premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof. The Palisade offered various seating configurations, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims, providing comfort and versatility.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a stylish and high-quality choice in the compact crossover SUV segment. It exuded a sense of luxury with its refined materials and sophisticated design. The CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 187-horsepower four-cylinder and a more powerful 256-hp turbocharged four-cylinder. The turbocharged engine provided impressive power, especially when using premium fuel. The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced by structural and suspension improvements, making it feel more solid and responsive. However, the CX-5's small back seat, cramped cargo area, and frustrating infotainment system were notable drawbacks. Mazda's decision to transition to the CX-50 nameplate was part of a broader marketing strategy, but the CX-5 continued to be a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and engaging driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, offering more power than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with standard paddle shifters, and in Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard. The HTRAC AWD system proved capable during a muddy off-road test drive. While not designed for rock-crawling, the Palisade provided a comfortable ride and had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). Its fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base model featured a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. Its fuel economy was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo, with its 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on regular fuel. This engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm on regular gas and 2,500 rpm on premium. The CX-5's driving dynamics were enhanced by structural and suspension improvements, resulting in a tighter and more solid feel. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy was slightly higher, at 9.8 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers and cargo. It could comfortably seat seven or eight passengers, with 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third. The Palisade's passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, and its cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,297 litres behind the second row, and 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded flat. The Palisade featured a hands-free smart liftgate on all but the base trim, and its interior was designed for convenience, with HVAC vents in all three rows and multiple cupholders. The centre console included a phone holder and space for storage, while the layout of physical buttons and knobs was intuitive.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, while stylish and refined, had limitations in terms of interior space. The front seats were improved for comfort and support, with power adjustment available on higher trims. The CX-5's interior featured high-quality materials, including Nappa leather on the Signature trim. However, the CX-5's technology, storage space, rear-seat head and legroom, and cargo space were less impressive. The cargo area offered 871 litres of space behind the rear seat and 1,680 litres with the back seat folded down. The CX-5's infotainment system, Mazda Connect, was a source of frustration due to its lack of a helpful voice recognition system and awkward physical controls. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-5 remained a stylish and engaging choice for those seeking a compact crossover SUV.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its advanced technology features. A 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system was standard, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims. The Palisade allowed up to two devices to connect via Bluetooth simultaneously and offered multiple USB charging ports throughout the cabin. A wireless charger was standard on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The Palisade's digital instrument cluster and in-car intercom system enhanced the driving experience, while the Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote accessibility and management features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system, while visually appealing with its 10.25-inch display, was a source of frustration. It lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and its physical controls on the centre console were awkward to use. The system required memorization and conscious thought to navigate, making it distracting while driving. Despite these challenges, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a free three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. The CX-5's upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system and a surround-view camera system for easier parking.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came equipped with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard on all trims. The Palisade also featured adaptive cruise control with stop and go, Highway Driving Assist I and II, and a full-display digital rearview mirror on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard, enhancing passenger safety.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with its i-Activsense suite of driver assistance technologies. Most features were standard, with additional features like a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist exclusive to the 2.5 Turbo Signature trim. The CX-5's safety systems operated smoothly and accurately, with an Active Driving Display providing visual alerts. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the IIHS. However, the CX-5 lacked a warning message for driving without headlights at night, a safety concern that Mazda needed to address.