2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, which set it apart from other SUVs that often relied on rugged styling cues. The Palisade's design, especially after the 2023 refresh, was more angular and technical, moving away from its previous softer look. This design choice sparked mixed reactions, but many appreciated its upscale appearance, which seemed like a bargain at its price point. Inside, the Palisade continued this value story with a clean and modern interior, even at the base trim level. Higher trims offered luxury features like premium leather and metal speaker grilles, although some control markings were hard to read in daylight. The Palisade was also packed with thoughtful details, such as USB ports in the front seatbacks and accessible drink holders for children. In Canada, the Palisade was available in four trims, with prices ranging from $53,284 to $63,584, including destination charges.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was priced at around $90,000 and featured a unique Incognito paint job with orange brake calipers. Despite these distinctive touches, the RX's design was considered unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic rear haunch swell. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power outputs and fuel efficiencies. All models came with standard AWD in Canada, and the RX 500h stood out with its sport-tuned suspension and performance features. Inside, the RX offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, although some ergonomic issues with controls were noted. The RX's interior storage was practical, but some areas lacked refinement. Cargo space was decent, with 838 litres available behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,308 litres with the seats folded.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. It had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Despite its age, the Palisade's driving dynamics remained competitive, with a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer feel on highways. The powertrain was smooth and refined, with satisfying power delivery and silky transmission shifts. However, it was not very fuel-efficient, recording 13.9 L/100 km in city driving and 11.9 L/100 km overall during testing. The Palisade's steering and suspension offered reasonable road feel, and the brakes were well-calibrated.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance. The RX 350h, the least powerful, had a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with a CVT. The RX 450h+ PHEV used the same engine with a larger battery and more powerful electric motor, delivering 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. It had a sport-tuned suspension, 21-inch wheels, and a sophisticated AWD system. The RX 500h's drivetrain was powerful but not fuel-efficient, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing. The adaptive suspension provided a firm ride, and while the RX 500h was capable on twisty roads, it lacked communication between the road and driver, making it less rewarding to drive.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, accommodating up to eight passengers in the base trim and seven with second-row captain's chairs in higher trims. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured Nappa leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver's seat. Heated seats were standard in the first two rows, and the second-row seats provided good support and legroom. The third row was suitable for adults with some adjustments. The Palisade offered generous storage, including adjustable cupholders and door panel trays. The Smart Liftgate provided hands-free access to the cargo area, which offered 509 litres of space behind the third row, expandable to 2,447 litres with seats folded.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were snug with enhanced bolstering, but the bottom cushions were uncomfortable on long drives. The rear seats were spacious and comfortable, with optional power-reclining, heating, and ventilation. Interior storage was practical, though some areas lacked refinement. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,308 litres with the seats folded. The hands-free power liftgate provided easy access, but the cargo cover could be cumbersome when loading larger items.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology was functional but starting to show its age compared to newer Hyundai models. It featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for smartphone connectivity. The system included Bluetooth support, wireless charging, SiriusXM, navigation, and voice recognition. The Harman Kardon audio system provided good sound quality, and the Palisade offered a digital rearview mirror and head-up display. The surround-view camera system was useful for parking.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury expectations with high-tech features. The RX 500h F Sport Black Line included digital key functionality, a camera-based rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a cloud-based navigation system. The system worked well, though there were occasional glitches with satellite radio. The Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality, but the steering wheel controls were distracting and difficult to use while driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Highway Driving Assist system combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Palisade also offered advanced features like evasive steering assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist. It received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS through 2024 but lost it in 2025 due to a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test. The NHTSA awarded it five stars for frontal impact and four stars for rollover resistance.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 provided advanced driver assistance features like forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS gave it a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test. The surround-view camera was a valuable addition, though some safety features were cumbersome to use.