Lexus RX Hybrid vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was available in Canada in two trim levels: Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy. These trims were part of the broader Palisade lineup, which also included the Preferred Trend, XRT Pro, and Ultimate Calligraphy gas-only models. Each trim level, including the base Luxury, was noted for its stylish design and commanding presence. The Palisade featured a prominent grille with horizontal slats, LED projector headlights, and distinctive LED daytime running lights. The side profile was enhanced by body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities on the Luxury Hybrid. The rear design was equally striking, with wide-spaced letters spelling out the vehicle's name, LED taillights, and a discreetly tucked exhaust, emphasizing a focus on efficient and peaceful driving. Inside, the Palisade impressed with its thoughtful design and high-quality materials, offering features like H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and optional Nappa leather upholstery on higher trims. The interior was praised for its craftsmanship and well-considered storage solutions, providing a richer feel compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid aimed for high style with the RX 500h F Sport Performance, though it sometimes leaned towards excessive flair. The front design was particularly controversial, featuring a large, black trapezoidal grille flanked by slim headlights and air intakes. The profile was stylish yet more restrained, with flat wheel flares, a character line suggesting motion, and a floating roofline that resolved into a rear spoiler. The RX 500h sat on 21-inch wheels and featured a full-width taillight at the rear. Inside, the RX 500h offered Dark Graphite or Rioja Red leather, with sporty elements like a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals. The driver was surrounded by digital screens and soft-touch materials, creating a luxurious and sporty atmosphere.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid challenged the notion that hybrids were slow, especially in the realm of large, three-row crossovers. It featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery. The turbo-four engine alone produced 258 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but when combined with the electric motors, the total output reached 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, coupled with an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a lively driving experience, whether in town or on the highway. The Palisade Hybrid's next-generation hybrid system eliminated the old platform's starter motor and auxiliary belts, relying on a more capable electric motor connected directly to the engine. This setup allowed for seamless transitions between electric and gas propulsion, optimizing power and fuel efficiency. The Palisade was also noted for its quiet cabin, thanks to noise-absorbing carpet and acoustic glass, although engine noise could intrude under hard acceleration. The steering was sharp and responsive, though the pedal feel was somewhat soft, creating a slight disconnect between steering and braking inputs.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid, specifically the RX 500h, delivered power comparable to some luxury crossover SUV rivals but achieved it through a different approach. It utilized a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system to produce 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The engine generated 271 horsepower, with the remaining 95 hp coming from two electric motors. The front motor was positioned between the engine and the six-speed automatic transmission, while the rear motor was part of an eAxle providing all-wheel drive. The RX 500h's powertrain offered a seamless transition from electric to gas propulsion, with power stepping up smoothly through the gears. It achieved a 0-96 km/h time of 5.9 seconds, though this was slower than some competitors. The RX 500h featured standard adaptive dampers, rear-axle steering, and a firmer suspension, but it wasn't particularly sporty. The steering was direct but lacked feel, and the ride could become busy on bumpy roads. Lexus provided a Custom mode for adjusting various settings, but for a truly sporty experience, other luxury SUVs were recommended.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered a total cargo capacity of 2,455 litres, which was less than some competitors like the Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Honda Pilot but more than others such as the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, and Mazda CX-90. The Palisade Hybrid's second-row legroom was slightly compromised due to the battery's position, but it still provided more space than most competitors. The third row, however, lagged behind some rivals in terms of legroom and headroom. Despite these measurements, the Palisade's cabin was comfortable, with standard dual-zone climate control, second-row HVAC controls, and multiple USB-C power outlets. The Palisade Hybrid came standard with a second-row bench seat and seating for eight, with captain's chairs available on higher trims. The interior was filled with convenient storage solutions, including a centre console with a rubberized cargo space and a small shelf ahead of the front passenger seat.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid, specifically the RX 500h, offered a comfortable interior with eight-way power-adjustable sport seats featuring standard heating and cooling. The seats were thickly bolstered for support but spacious enough for larger frames. The steering wheel was heated, and a panoramic sunroof was standard. The rear seats provided good legroom, though accommodating three adults could be uncomfortable. With the second row up, the RX 500h offered 838 litres of cargo space, which expanded to 1,308 litres with the seats folded down. This cargo capacity was average for the class.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was well-equipped with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and a matching digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system supported HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay. A Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between the first and third rows. Most trims featured a 14-speaker Bose stereo, and a 15-watt wireless charging pad was standard, though it could overheat on warm days. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a built-in dashcam, recording front and rear views to an SD card. The Palisade Hybrid also introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the gas engine was off, provided the hybrid battery had sufficient charge.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid, specifically the RX 500h, featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, along with a standard head-up display. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Lexus Intelligent Assist for voice commands. Wireless phone charging was standard. The touchscreen was driver-oriented and responsive, a significant improvement over previous Lexus systems. However, the steering wheel's touch-sensitive pads were frustrating, as they controlled multiple functions and could be distracting. Lexus also offered a three-year Drive Connect subscription with Google points of interest and real-time traffic information.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor, typically reserved for higher trims, was standard on the XRT Pro and up, including both hybrid trims. The rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. While the 2026 Palisade had not been crash-tested by the U.S. National Highway Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) at the time of writing, the 2025 model received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid, specifically the RX 500h, was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of active safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more. Standard features also included front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included automatic parking, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The RX received a perfect five-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but scored a "Poor" rating in the updated moderate front overlap test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick award.