2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, presented a striking presence on the road, enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a more commanding 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 20-inch alloy wheels, standard across the lineup in Canada, contributed to its premium feel, especially in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The new Robust Emerald colour option added a subtle elegance to the vehicle's appearance. Inside, the Palisade's Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered a stylish and bright interior, thanks to the dual-pane sunroof and premium Nappa leather seats. The seating configurations allowed for either seven or eight passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50, a rugged counterpart to the CX-5, showcased a more adventurous design. It was lower, wider, and longer than the CX-5, with a stretched wheelbase that emphasized its broad-shouldered proportions. The Meridian Edition, in particular, enhanced the CX-50's active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim. The earthy colour palette, including Polymetal Grey Metallic and Zircon Sand Metallic, complemented the Terracotta leather upholstery inside. The interior design was pleasing, with a BMW-like infotainment screen placement and impressive material quality. However, the CX-50's aspirations to move upscale were still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually adjustable passenger seat in the base model.

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, surpassing the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly edging out the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard paddle shifters, provided a smooth driving experience. In Canada, the standard all-wheel drive (AWD) system, known as HTRAC, demonstrated its capability during a muddy off-road test drive. While not designed for rock-crawling, the Palisade offered a comfortable ride and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), with a dedicated Tow Mode for optimized shifting. Fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane gasoline, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard across all models, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. Turbo models also included a Towing mode, increasing towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds). The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered a different driving experience, focusing more on daily driving comfort than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, while the roof platform contributed to wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers, with seating for seven or eight. It provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. Passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, and the second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row with a one-touch seat slide. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,297 litres behind the second, and 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded flat. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base trim. The Palisade's interior was designed for comfort, with HVAC vents in all three rows and ample cupholders. The centre console featured a phone holder and space for a bag, while physical buttons and knobs were laid out intuitively.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom in both rows. It provided 889 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,595 litres with them folded, slightly less than the CX-5. The CX-50 trailed competitors in cargo space, although it had more than the Subaru Forester with rear seats up. A power liftgate was available for easier cargo access, but the cargo area wasn't ideal for dirty or bulky items. The optional roof platform was high, making it less accessible for shorter individuals. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space and a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the centre console.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its technology offerings. A 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system was standard, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard in higher trims. The Palisade allowed up to two devices to connect via Bluetooth and offered USB charging ports in all rows. A wireless charger was standard on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The driver enjoyed a 4.2-inch colour info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. Remote accessibility and management features were enhanced with Hyundai's Bluelink system, allowing remote control of heated or cooled seats and other functions.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the centre console. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with dual front and rear USB ports. Higher trims included wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Mazda's touchscreen-free interface required adjustment but offered physical feedback through the rotary controller. The infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, making it suitable for buyers who preferred simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It came 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 across all trims. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go, Highway Driving Assist I, and Highway Driving Assist II were available on higher trims. A full-display digital rearview mirror and safe exit warning were standard on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, along with rear seat occupant alert and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, receiving top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it scored lower in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test and for standard headlights. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model year were incomplete, with a five-star frontal crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included emergency lane-keeping, rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.