2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and an overall height of 74.2 inches. The front end appeared ready to dominate the road, framed by large headlights that added to its distinctive look. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, returned with new paint options, including Eminent White Pearl and Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs suggested it was built for off-road adventures. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and disappointment, with an abundance of plastic materials. Yet, it still offered heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, making it easily recognizable among family-friendly SUVs. Available in multiple trims, including the new Calligraphy Night Edition, the Palisade ranged in price from $36,650 to $53,850. The Calligraphy Night Edition featured a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim, badges, and wheels. Inside, it boasted an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and sophisticated interior design, making it feel like a luxury SUV. The Palisade's interior was well-appointed, with features like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and premium Nappa leather upholstery in higher trims.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to newer engines, the V8 provided a satisfying linear power delivery and a distinctive sound. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds but lagged in fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. Despite its weight, the GX offered predictable handling and strong brakes. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and standard 4WD system made it capable off-road, with features like downhill assist, hill-start assist, and traction control.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, and had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Palisade's AWD system distributed power effectively, and it achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. The Palisade excelled in ride comfort, with a firm yet comfortable suspension, excellent outward visibility, and impressive handling on mountain and canyon roads. The brakes performed well under stress, and the overall driving experience was enjoyable, though real-world fuel economy was slightly lower than expected.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin, a phone space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, sticking with older USB-A ports. The GX's physical controls were a blessing for those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens, though the abundance of buttons required some getting used to. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. The third row, however, was too tight for regular use. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts in the Calligraphy Night Edition. Higher trims featured heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and memory settings. The Palisade's configurable storage included a large center console bin, wireless smartphone charger, and additional storage under the bridge-style center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed excellent comfort, with options for heated and ventilated captain's chairs. The third row was more spacious than most rivals, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The Palisade's cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, the system lagged and lacked the crisp graphics of newer models. The GX included a CD player, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo, and three years of Lexus Enform Remote. Off-road capabilities were a highlight, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). The Off-Road Package added features like a multi-terrain monitor and crawl control.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a rear-seat Quiet Mode. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable. The Palisade's voice recognition system worked well, though it struggled with specific music requests. Bluelink+ offered remote engine starting, automatic collision warning, and more. The Harman Kardon premium sound system provided excellent audio quality. Additional tech included a digital key function, digital rearview mirror, semi-autonomous remote parking, and an excellent head-up display.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its older design, Lexus equipped the GX with modern safety features.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The Palisade Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Night Edition offered three layers of blind-spot safety. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and received high marks in NHTSA side-impact and rollover resistance tests.