2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX presented a blend of luxury and performance, available in standard and Type S versions with various trim packages. The Type S Advance trim, priced at $74,995, featured a striking Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior. Despite its high price, the MDX Type S didn't fully meet expectations for quality and driving dynamism. The subtle design of the Type S, with its chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, offered a refined appearance. Inside, the MDX boasted perforated Milano leather and a Sport Appearance package, but some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made controls difficult to use.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, available in trims like the new Calligraphy Night Edition. Priced from $36,650 to $53,850, the Palisade offered a more affordable luxury experience. The Calligraphy Night Edition, with its blacked-out appearance and Hyper White paint, exuded sophistication. Inside, the Palisade impressed with its quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and a decadent artificial suede headliner. The interior's overall sophistication made the Palisade feel like a luxury SUV, despite its mass-market positioning.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), aimed to deliver a thrilling driving experience. However, the performance upgrades didn't fully integrate, leading to issues like an indecisive transmission and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, falling short of its EPA rating. While the turbocharged V6 offered quick acceleration, it guzzled fuel, and the suspension transmitted more noise than expected.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade's AWD system expertly distributed power, providing satisfying acceleration and a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Palisade averaged 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode during testing. Its suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride, and the brakes performed well under stress. The Palisade displayed unexpected athleticism on mountain roads, with predictable handling and minimal body roll.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats, with a choice of two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats didn't fully support the performance-oriented mission. The MDX provided 18.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The cabin prioritized style over storage, with limited space for small items.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy Night Edition. The Palisade's second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, with heating and ventilation available. The third row was more spacious than many rivals, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The smart tailgate feature added convenience, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment system relied on a True Touchpad Interface (TTI), which was less intuitive than a touchscreen. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, but the native voice recognition system was frustrating. The ELS Studio 3D audio system delivered excellent sound quality, and the Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via USB-A. The Bluelink+ connected services were free for original owners, offering features like remote engine starting and SOS emergency assistance. The Harman Kardon sound system provided excellent audio quality, and the digital key function allowed smartphone access. The head-up display showed navigation instructions and safety feature status, though it struggled with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Acura MDX included the Acura Watch suite, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, the MDX experienced a false collision warning during testing, raising concerns about its reliability.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with the SmartSense suite, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete. The Palisade's safety features, like the blind-spot view camera system, provided added peace of mind.