2020 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was a standout in terms of styling, with a bold design that could easily be mistaken for a luxury brand. Its massive grille and thin headlights gave it a distinctive look, complemented by a unique headlight assembly that included LED character lines. The use of chrome was notable, with a large strip running from the A-pillar over the side windows, adding a touch of elegance while breaking up the vehicle's length. Inside, the Palisade's cabin exuded an upscale feel, with a digital instrument panel and a large touchscreen. The Limited trim offered additional luxury features like ambient lighting and leather upholstery with unique stitching.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX maintained the brand's familial design with sharp lines and a sculpted exterior, similar to other Lexus models. The NX F Sport variant added sporty elements like a honeycomb grille and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the NX featured high-quality materials and a familiar gauge cluster, though its design felt dated compared to newer models. The F Sport model included exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and a G-Force meter, though the latter was more of a gimmick. The center stack's design was functional but outdated, with limited storage space between the driver and passenger.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade's drive modes included Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart, with Smart mode adapting to driving habits. The vehicle provided strong acceleration and impressive cornering, especially in Sport mode, thanks to the self-leveling rear suspension in the Limited trim. Fuel economy for the Palisade was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined for FWD, with slightly lower numbers for AWD.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It came with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds, with a relatively quiet ride despite some engine noise. The F Sport model included Active Sound Control for enhanced engine notes. Fuel economy was 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 combined for FWD, with AWD models achieving similar numbers. The NX offered three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, affecting throttle response and steering assist.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade excelled in versatility, offering 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The third row was spacious enough for adults on longer trips, and the second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and storage options. The Palisade's power-folding third-row seats added convenience, though they operated slowly.

The 2021 Lexus NX, while comfortable, had limited cargo space due to its design. It offered 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it one of the smallest in its class. The interior was quiet, with minimal road and wind noise, and the front and second-row seats provided ample room for adults. The NX featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and optional power-folding rear seats.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim offered an optional Driver Guidance package with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and navigation. The Limited trim included a Harman Kardon audio system, surround-view monitor, and head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with tactile buttons and a home button for easy navigation.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. The infotainment system was less intuitive, relying on a touchpad for navigation. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a WiFi hotspot. The NX offered a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system as an upgrade.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with features like forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a unique blind-spot camera system. The digital instrument panel displayed parking sensor warnings and blind-spot camera images.

The 2021 Lexus NX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The NX received top "Good" scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification.