2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not have appealed to everyone, those who appreciated its aesthetics likely found much to admire in other aspects of the vehicle. In Canada, the Palisade was available in two trims: Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy, priced at $57,431 and $61,031, respectively, including destination charges. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which was tested, featured luxurious touches such as an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated interior elements, making it feel like a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV appearance with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. The sculptural sheet metal created a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, contributing to its athletic stance. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly designed with polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, offering an upscale feel. However, some design-related complaints arose, such as the confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. Despite these issues, the CX-90 maintained a sophisticated look and feel compared to other midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The Palisade offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance. Various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, allowed for versatile performance. The V6 engine provided ample power and satisfying acceleration, while the transmission consistently found the right gear. The Palisade's AWD system expertly distributed power on dirt and gravel roads, and its suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride. However, real-world fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 15.0 L/100 km in Comfort mode.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a turbocharged 3.3-litre inline-six engine, available in standard and high-output versions. The standard-output engine delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output version produced 319 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The CX-90's AWD system biased power to the rear wheels for improved driving dynamics. It offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The CX-90's ride and handling were impressive, but drivetrain refinement was lacking, especially during cold starts. Unwanted engine surge and acceleration were noted, and the vehicle suffered from noise and impact harshness. Despite these flaws, the CX-90's suspension provided a firm and communicative ride, making it one of the most agile family haulers.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a comfortable and well-appointed interior. In Canada, the Urban trim featured artificial leather upholstery, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim boasted premium Nappa leather. Standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard rear seats. The Palisade's configurable storage options and spacious second-row seating added to its practicality. The third-row seat was more comfortable and roomy than many competitors, and the hands-free power tailgate provided convenience. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior, in Signature trim, featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the cabin efficiently. The panoramic sunroof provided ample natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed comfortable seating. The CX-90's third row was best suited for children, and the long rear doors facilitated access. Storage space was limited, with a smartphone charging tray and shallow bins. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 451 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the second-row seats flattened.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It supported Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, though the latter required a USB-A cable. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included wireless charging and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services offered remote engine starting and emergency assistance. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror, a semi-autonomous remote parking system, and an excellent head-up display.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. While the infotainment screen was touch-sensitive for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the native Mazda Connect platform required using a knob and buttons. Mazda's voice recognition system was inconsistent, but a new Google built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display with helpful data. The blind-spot monitoring system added an extra layer of safety.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) was standard, providing a hands-on driving system for highway travel. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and received high marks in side-impact and rollover resistance tests from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of the few midsize SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It also earned five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids generally met expectations, though some features, like speed reduction, could be irritating.