2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger and more assertive look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights added to its modern appeal, while the top Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille design. The interior of the Palisade was equally impressive, with premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim and a dual-pane sunroof that brightened the cabin. The Palisade offered a range of seating configurations, with second-row captain's chairs in higher trims and a bench option for lower trims, accommodating up to eight passengers.

The 2023 Acura MDX, particularly in the Type S Advance trim, aimed to deliver a blend of luxury and performance. The exterior featured chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, giving it a sporty stance. Inside, the MDX Type S boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and a Sport Appearance package. The cabin was designed with a focus on style, though some elements, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, could be challenging to navigate. The MDX Type S offered a panoramic sunroof and Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes, adding to its luxurious feel. However, the design choices sometimes compromised functionality, such as the limited storage space due to the center console layout.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, offering more power than some rivals like the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with paddle shifters, and front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Palisade excelled in towing capacity, able to haul up to 5,000 pounds, and featured a dedicated Tow Mode for AWD models. Fuel economy for the Palisade was reasonable, with FWD models achieving 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models offered slightly lower figures.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Despite the power increase over the standard MDX, the Type S's performance enhancements didn't fully integrate into a cohesive driving experience. The 10-speed automatic transmission and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system aimed to enhance driving dynamics, but the MDX Type S struggled with transmission indecisiveness and brake pedal modulation. Fuel economy was a concern, with the Type S averaging 16.9 mpg in combined driving, falling short of its EPA rating. The MDX Type S offered various driving modes, including a Lift mode for increased ground clearance, but its performance upgrades didn't translate into a seamless driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample interior space, comfortably seating seven or eight passengers. It provided 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third, with a total passenger volume of 155.3 cubic feet. The Palisade's cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 behind the second, and 86.4 with all rear seats folded flat. The interior was designed with convenience in mind, featuring HVAC vents in all three rows, multiple cupholders, and a hands-free smart liftgate on most trims.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the option to remove the center section of the second row for easier access to the third row. The MDX's interior was comfortable, with 16-way power-adjustable front seats in the Type S Advance trim, though the seats didn't fully support the model's performance-oriented mission. The MDX's cargo area provided 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 with the third row folded, and 71.4 with both rear rows down. While the MDX offered thoughtful cargo solutions, such as a hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close, the interior design sometimes prioritized style over storage space.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its technology offerings, including a standard 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. The Palisade was the first Hyundai to offer WiFi hotspot capability, standard across all trims. A premium Harman Kardon sound system was available, and the Palisade featured a range of connectivity options, including multiple USB ports and a wireless charger. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote accessibility and management features, and the Digital Key 2 Touch allowed for seamless key sharing and vehicle access.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment display. However, the infotainment system relied on a True Touchpad Interface, which could be challenging to use compared to traditional touchscreens. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, providing familiar voice recognition capabilities. The MDX's top-tier audio system, the Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D, delivered impressive sound quality. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, though the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread speed limits.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard across all trims. The Palisade also offered navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and Highway Driving Assist, enhancing its safety credentials. The 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, and the 2023 model was expected to maintain or improve upon this rating.

The 2023 Acura MDX came with Acura Watch, a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The MDX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors in certain trims. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. Some issues with the adaptive cruise control and collision warning system were noted during testing.