2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2024 Lexus GX

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, presented a more commanding presence on the road following its styling update. The new front fascia, with its bolder strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights enhanced its visual appeal, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. The new multi-spoke alloy wheel design, although less visually striking than its predecessor, conveyed a premium feel. The interior of the Ultimate Calligraphy trim was stylish, featuring premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof, while lower trims offered cloth seats and a single sunroof. The Palisade accommodated up to eight passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus GX embraced a geometric styling, departing from the softer lines of its predecessor. The redesigned midsize SUV featured a less pronounced spindle grille, flanked by standard triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's front end stood more vertically, giving it an aggressive look, while the flat hood rose above the front wheels for better off-road visibility. The GX's profile appeared carved from a solid block, with minimal character lines and a low window beltline for improved visibility. The GX was available in a single trim level with five packages, each catering to different needs, from luxury to off-roading. The interior blended luxury with utilitarian materials, featuring a large 14-inch touchscreen and physical controls for off-road features.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This made it more powerful than competitors like the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more so than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with paddle shifters, and in Canada, it came standard with an all-wheel drive system. While not suited for rock-crawling, the Palisade offered a comfortable ride and competitive towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. Its fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2024 Lexus GX, on the other hand, replaced its V8 engine with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The GX's powertrain provided impressive torque low in the rev range, making it adept at off-road driving. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX featured a stiffer chassis for improved stability. It employed a 10-speed automatic transmission and came standard with full-time four-wheel drive and a locking Torsen limited-slip centre differential. The Overtrail packages added a locking rear differential and advanced suspension technology for enhanced off-road capability. Despite its off-road prowess, the GX remained composed on-road, offering a controlled and relaxed driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers, with 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third. Its passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, and cargo space ranged from 509 litres behind the third row to 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded flat. The Palisade featured HVAC vents in all three rows and provided two cupholders per person. The centre console included a phone holder and space for a bag, while automatic dual-zone climate control was standard.

The 2024 Lexus GX's interior was more minimalist and sophisticated, with fewer physical buttons. It offered 1,047 millimetres of legroom in the front seats and 933 mm in the second row, but the third row was tight for adults. The GX excelled in cargo space, with 292 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,138 litres with it folded. Overtrail models offered even more space, with 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 1,291 litres of total cargo space.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and more. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims. The Palisade offered remote accessibility and management features through Hyundai's Bluelink system, allowing remote control of heated and cooled seats and other functions.

The 2024 Lexus GX boasted a 14-inch touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lexus Interface infotainment system included a voice assistant and remote connectivity features, though some required a subscription. The GX came with a 10-speaker audio system, with higher packages offering a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. While the Lexus Interface was user-friendly, subscription costs for certain features could add up over time.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features. These included forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like Highway Driving Assist II and a full-display digital rearview mirror.

The 2024 Lexus GX received significant safety upgrades with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the GX's modern architecture and advanced safety features inspired confidence.