2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, which replaced the Santa Fe XL as Hyundai's flagship SUV, showcased an elegant and striking exterior design. It featured distinctive lines and shapes, from its prominent grille to its crisp shoulder lines and tasteful tailgate. The SUV's profile was visually interesting, highlighted by sculpted wheel arches and a provocative continuous strip of glass surfaces that gave the impression of a floating rear roof. Inside, the Palisade was equally polished, with high-quality materials and finishes adorning every surface. The horizontally arrayed screen and beefy center console anchored the dash, while the second row offered either a roomy bench or captain's chairs, and the third row was spacious enough for two adults or three kids.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50, on the other hand, exhibited a subtle seductiveness with its blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield. It conveyed newfound ruggedness through blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body and wheel arch cladding, and fake front and rear skid plates. The CX-50's standard black grille and mirror caps, along with available 20-inch wheels, created an appealing exterior. Inside, the CX-50 featured a driver-focused design with quality materials, polished metallic trim, and a mix of analog and digital gauges. The interior was dressed in black leather with caramel-colored accent stitching, and the vertical air vents and center console controls added to the overall aesthetic.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade came with a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 gasoline engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a balance of power and efficiency. The Palisade's EPA estimates were 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. The Palisade's four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars provided a smooth ride, and it could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged version of the same engine producing up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was expected to return 27 mpg in combined driving, while the turbocharged engine averaged 23.4 mpg. The CX-50's turbo engine provided smooth acceleration with minimal turbo lag, and the SUV featured Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes. The CX-50's ride quality was firm, and it had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered comfortable seating throughout the cabin, with ample legroom and headroom in the second row and easy access to the third row. The front row featured multiple storage compartments, including a locking glove box and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Palisade also had an underfloor storage compartment and roof rails for additional cargo. The gear selector was a compact shift-by-wire setup, and the Limited and Calligraphy trims included luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior featured power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control provided comfort in various weather conditions. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long drives, and the back seat was roomy enough for adults. The CX-50 offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The available power rear liftgate and side bins added convenience, though the storage space was narrow between the wheel wells.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology, with the Limited and Calligraphy models featuring a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade had multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Limited and Calligraphy trims also included a head-up display and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, which offered remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The digital instrument cluster integrated with the turn signals and blind-spot monitor cameras.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S model had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims featured a 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect historically lacked touchscreen control, but the CX-50 allowed touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The CX-50 also offered an Active Driving Display, projecting data within the driver's line of sight and showing blind-spot warnings.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, and a comprehensive list of standard and available active safety features. These included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Limited and Calligraphy trims added forward-looking parking sensors, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to excel in safety, similar to other Mazda models. It offered a generous standard package of driving assistance systems, with exclusive features on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-50's driving assistance systems generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead.