2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design. It featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a sophisticated appearance. The interior was equally polished, with high-quality materials and a horizontally arrayed screen. The spacious cabin offered comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, with options for captain's chairs in the second row. The Palisade's fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX boasted a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blocky designs, making it easier to maneuver in technical driving situations. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with an abundance of plastic materials. Despite this, the GX offered some luxury touches, such as heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's design and interior features reflected its focus on off-road capability rather than pure luxury.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine choice, while not the most fuel-efficient, provided a smooth and responsive driving experience 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 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it a versatile family SUV.

The 2023 Lexus GX, on the other hand, was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 provided a satisfying driving experience with a linear power delivery. The GX's towing capacity of 6,500 pounds was impressive, but its fuel economy lagged behind modern SUVs, with an EPA estimate of 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. The GX's weight and outdated design affected its handling, but its off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a Torsen limited-slip differential and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality. It offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with ample legroom and headroom. The Palisade provided 18.0 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The interior featured a compact shift-by-wire setup, intuitive controls, and high-end luxury features in the Limited and Calligraphy trims, such as a dual-panel sunroof and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX struggled with interior space, particularly in the third row, which was too tight for regular use. The GX offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The interior featured a deep center console bin, but the lack of USB-C ports and small door pockets were drawbacks. The GX's side-hinged trunk door was also less convenient than a power-operated liftgate.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology, with a high-resolution touchscreen, premium audio system, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The infotainment system included multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a head-up display in higher trims. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system offered remote engine start and vehicle monitoring, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2023 Lexus GX, despite a recent infotainment update, felt dated compared to other Lexus models. The 10.3-inch touchscreen offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, but the graphics and responsiveness lagged behind competitors. The GX's off-road technology, including a real 4WD system and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, was a highlight, but its infotainment system fell short of expectations.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured a comprehensive list of passive and active safety features, such as seven airbags, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection. The Palisade's advanced driver assistance systems provided peace of mind for families.

The 2023 Lexus GX lacked crash test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it included essential driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. However, it missed some advanced features found in newer models. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were commendable, but it couldn't match the Palisade's comprehensive safety package.