2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, which was a refreshing departure from the rugged styling cues often seen in other SUVs. The 2023 refresh gave it a more angular and technical look, enhancing its upscale appearance. Inside, even the base trim offered a modern and upscale feel, with premium leather and metal speaker grilles in the higher trims. Thoughtful details like USB ports in the front seatbacks and second-row smartphone storage pockets added to its appeal. The Palisade was available in four trim levels in Canada, with prices ranging from $53,284 to $63,584.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. Its sculptural sheet metal and athletic stance contributed to its premium look. Inside, the CX-90 featured polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, creating an upscale cabin. However, some ergonomic issues, like a confusing electronic shifter and non-touchscreen infotainment, detracted from the experience. Despite these flaws, the CX-90 maintained a sophisticated appearance, with prices ranging from $48,846 to $67,886 in Canada.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. It had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Palisade offered a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer ride on highways, with a satisfying powertrain that delivered smooth and refined performance. However, it wasn't the most fuel-efficient, recording 13.9 L/100 km in city driving and 11.9 L/100 km overall.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 offered three powertrain variants, including a standard-output 3.3 Turbo with 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, and a high-output version with 319 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The CX-90's AWD system was designed for better driving dynamics, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Fuel economy ratings were 9.3 L/100 km for the standard engine and 9.5 L/100 km for the high-output version. While the CX-90 provided impressive ride and handling, drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behaviour. The CX-90's taut suspension offered a firm and communicative ride, but the drivetrain's lack of isolation from noise and impact harshness was a drawback.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, with a seven-passenger arrangement featuring second-row captain’s chairs in the test vehicle. The Palisade's interior was comfortable, with Nappa leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. Heated and ventilated seats were available in the top trim, and the second-row seats provided good support and legroom. The Palisade offered generous storage space, with a Smart Liftgate and a maximum cargo capacity of 2,447 litres.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the climate control system was slow to cool the cabin. The CX-90's third row was best suited for children, and the rear doors facilitated loading and unloading. Storage space was limited, with a maximum cargo capacity of 2,129 litres. The CX-90's hands-free power liftgate revealed 451 litres of cargo space behind the third row.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology included a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While it required a cable for smartphone connectivity, the system was otherwise impressive, with features like Bluetooth support, wireless charging, and a navigation system. The voice recognition system performed well, and the Harman Kardon audio system provided commendable sound. The Palisade also offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display with blind spot warnings.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the native Mazda Connect platform requiring a knob and buttons. The voice recognition system was hit and miss, but the Bose audio system delivered a rewarding listening experience. The CX-90 also featured a head-up display with helpful data.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The Highway Driving Assist system paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024, but a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test prevented it from receiving the accolade in 2025. The NHTSA awarded it five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.

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 all NHTSA crash tests, with a four-star rollover resistance rating. The CX-90 offered a long list of standard safety features, with additional features available on higher trims. The driver aids met expectations, but the speed reduction feature was irritating, and the audible warning systems were excessive.