2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design. It featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a sophisticated appearance. The interior was equally polished, with high-quality materials and a horizontally arrayed screen. The spacious cabin offered comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, with options for captain's chairs or a bench in the second row. The Palisade's fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, while redesigned, maintained a similar appearance to its non-hybrid counterpart, with subtle differences like the badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model stood out with its performance-tuned design, featuring a blacked-out grille and aggressive styling. The interior adopted a cleaner, minimalistic look with contemporary textures and ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury model boasted luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier, all-black interior. Despite its popularity, the RX's design remained somewhat unbalanced, with a blunt-nosed front and a visually shortened rear end.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine, equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a smooth and responsive driving experience. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was moderate, with EPA estimates of 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway for AWD models. The SUV's handling was commendable, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. However, its fuel efficiency was lower, at 27 mpg combined. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system provided an engaging driving experience, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system. The RX 350h offered better fuel economy, averaging 32 mpg, and felt more secure in curves due to its lower center of gravity.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and versatility. It offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with ample legroom and headroom. The second-row captain's chairs were particularly comfortable, and the front row provided generous storage options. Luggage space was impressive, with 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 86.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The Palisade's intuitive controls and shift-by-wire setup added to its user-friendly design. Higher trims featured luxury amenities like a dual-panel sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, and a hands-free liftgate.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim, with ten-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model had sportier seats with eight-way power adjustment. The rear seats provided excellent leg support, though headroom was tight due to the higher seat cushion and lower roofline. The RX's cargo space improved over the previous model, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seat folded. However, it still fell short compared to some rivals.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology, with a standard display audio system and an optional 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with Harman Kardon premium audio. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Multiple USB ports and a Qi wireless charging pad ensured connectivity for all passengers. The Palisade also featured Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of connected services plans for full functionality. The system included a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. However, the interface had limitations, such as viewing only one screen menu at a time and a lack of a tuning knob. The available head-up display featured dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting, especially with polarized sunglasses. Despite these issues, the new system represented a significant upgrade for the RX.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It included seven airbags, active head restraints, and a range of active safety and driver assistance features, such as blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection. Optional features included forward-looking parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and a new Traffic Jam Assist system enhanced safety and convenience. However, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The RX also offered an available Advanced Park system for semi-autonomous parking.