2021 Lexus GX vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy stood out with its distinctive grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, and unique 20-inch alloy wheels. It featured upgraded interior detailing and a simulated suede headliner, making it appear more luxurious than its price suggested. The standard LED headlights added a modern touch, and the overall design was polarizing, drawing mixed reactions. Inside, the Palisade impressed with quilted and stitched premium Nappa leather, offering a cabin that felt like a genuine bargain compared to other midsize three-row SUVs.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell, with minor updates over the years. The spindle grille, updated in 2020, and triple-beam LED headlights gave it a distinctive look. Despite its aggressive styling, the interior felt dated, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. The semi-aniline leather was standard, but the overall interior quality did not meet modern luxury SUV standards.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, Snow, and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade achieved a fuel efficiency of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Its firmer suspension provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive, though not outright fun. The Palisade's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, with a new seven-pin trailer pre-wiring connector.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine with 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Despite its power, the GX's 2,349 kilograms made high-speed manoeuvres challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, typical of traditional SUVs. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen centre differential, low-range 4WD, and Multi-Terrain Select. It offered a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms, with trailer-sway control.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and accessible interior, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and separate climate controls for the third row. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and support, and the third-row seat was more accommodating than most in its class. The Palisade boasted 509 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,447 litres with seats folded. The hands-free Smart Liftgate added convenience.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior felt cramped, with limited legroom due to the upright dashboard and high centre console. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position were reminiscent of driving a bus. While the boxy profile offered excellent visibility, the centre-console storage was small, and the third row was best for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with seats folded. The third row eliminated most cargo space when in use.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems, with 8-inch and 10.25-inch touchscreens. Both allowed dual smartphone pairing via Bluetooth, but only the 8-inch system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and Blue Link connected services. Additional features included wireless charging, a Driver Talk intercom, Quiet Mode, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It had a standard 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, but the touchscreen graphics were outdated. The interface relied on analog controls, offering a refreshing change from screen-centric systems. However, the lack of modern tech features was noticeable in a luxury SUV.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping systems. It featured a rear occupant alert system and active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems. The Highway Driving Assist provided smooth adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+ with a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models. Crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available for the GX.