2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was introduced with a fresh design, yet it retained a familiar aesthetic that made it difficult to distinguish from its non-hybrid counterparts. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels, maintained a subtle elegance without overt hybrid branding. In contrast, the RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, signaling its performance-oriented nature. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not universally praised, with critiques focusing on its front-heavy appearance and visually shortened rear end. Inside, the RX embraced a minimalist approach, featuring a new infotainment system and contemporary interior materials, with the RX 350h Luxury offering luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance opted for a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and aluminum accents.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade distinguished itself with bold styling that set it apart from other family SUVs. Available in various trims, including the new Calligraphy Night Edition, the Palisade offered a range of features and prices, with the Night Edition showcasing a blacked-out appearance and exclusive Hyper White paint. The interior of the Palisade, especially in the Calligraphy Night Edition, exuded luxury with its artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated design elements. The Palisade's interior was praised for its comfort and upscale feel, rivaling luxury SUVs in its segment.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid lineup offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, delivered a more exhilarating experience with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. This model accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but sacrificed fuel efficiency, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing. The RX 350h, however, provided a more balanced driving experience, with a quieter cabin and better fuel economy, averaging 32 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade offered several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, and had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The AWD system provided excellent traction on various surfaces, and the Palisade averaged 18.8 mpg in combined driving during testing. The SUV's suspension was tuned for a firm yet comfortable ride, and it displayed surprising agility on winding roads, with responsive brakes and predictable handling.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable and luxurious interior, with the RX 350h Luxury model featuring ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and a three-zone automatic climate control system. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrid's battery placement under the rear seat provided excellent leg support but compromised rear headroom. Cargo space was improved over the previous model, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade provided 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. The Palisade offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an Ergo Motion massage function for the driver. The interior featured configurable storage solutions, and second-row passengers enjoyed captain's chairs with optional heating and ventilation. The third row was more spacious than most rivals, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The Palisade offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring a subscription for full functionality. The system included a cloud-based navigation system, Intelligent Assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the interface had some usability issues, such as limited screen views and reflections. The available head-up display featured dual-function touch-sensing control pads, which could be challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Bluelink+ connected services, and required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Palisade offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a digital key function, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display provided comprehensive data, but it was not compatible with cheap polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems such as motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The Proactive Driving Assist technology was appreciated, but some features, like the curve-speed reduction tech, were less favored. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though the latter was not tested.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Highway Driving Assist provided a hands-on driving system for highway travel, and the rear-seat reminder added ultrasonic sensing. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete.