2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade stood out as a flagship SUV in Hyundai's lineup, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It boasted an elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of Hyundai's designs being unimaginative. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a signature look. Its design elements, such as the continuous strip of glass surfaces and pronounced taillights, added to its visual appeal. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and elegant interior with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and spacious seating arrangements, making it a worthy flagship in design and execution.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX, particularly in the Type S Ultra trim, aimed to deliver a subtle yet luxurious appearance. It featured chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic moonroof. The interior boasted quilted leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it challenging to use certain controls. While the MDX Type S was appealing, it had some design quirks that detracted from its overall luxury feel.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine choice, while not the most fuel-efficient, offered a satisfying power delivery with no turbo lag. The Palisade's handling was commendable, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. It could tow up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Despite the power increase, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive performance experience. Its transmission was indecisive, and the ride lacked compliance. The MDX Type S also had poor fuel economy, averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. While it offered various driving modes and performance enhancements, the overall driving experience fell short of expectations.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality. It offered comfortable seating across all three rows, with ample storage options throughout the cabin. The Palisade provided 509 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with both rear rows folded. Its compact shift-by-wire setup and well-placed controls added to its user-friendly design. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim level included luxury features like Nappa leather upholstery and a dual-panel sunroof.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating with flexible configurations. However, its interior design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the centre console. The MDX's cargo area provided 461 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded. While the MDX offered luxury features like heated and ventilated seats, its interior design choices limited its practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a standard display audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It offered wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a premium Harman Kardon audio system. The Palisade's infotainment system included multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display on higher trims. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment display. However, its infotainment system relied on a True Touchpad Interface, which was less intuitive than traditional touchscreens. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-tier audio system delivered impressive sound quality, but the infotainment system's usability was hindered by the touchpad interface.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of passive and active safety features, including seven airbags, blind-spot collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade's safety features contributed to its reputation as a safe and reliable family SUV.

The 2023 Acura MDX also received high safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It offered a range of safety features, including collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, during testing, the MDX experienced a false collision warning, highlighting a potential issue with its safety systems.