Mazda CX-90 vs Hyundai Palisade | Which Should You Buy?

Not sure which three-row SUV you should buy for your family? There are a lot of brands fighting for your attention, offering everything from rugged off-road features to extended wheelbase platforms. These SUVs can quickly climb up in price, though, leading many families to look for a middle ground. The mid-size SUV is usually the answer for families who want to avoid minivan life without sacrificing too much space. Two of the highest-rated options on the market today are the Mazda CX-90 and the Hyundai Palisade, both of which are touted for delivering premium cabins at a reasonable price. In the sections below, we’ll preview everything you need to know about both SUVs, breaking down cargo volume, trim levels, and more. Of course, we’re a Mazda dealership, so we naturally have little bias here, but both SUVs stand as industry standards for excellence. If you’d like to compare the SUVs for yourself, visit Bob Moore Mazda dealership in OKC to learn more.

CX-90 vs Palisade Fuel Economy and Engine

Let’s start by comparing engines. Both SUVs are offered with a hybrid powertrain, but for the sake of this breakdown, we’ll keep our scope limited to the gas models of each SUV. The Palisade comes with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 287 horsepower. It routes power through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD and optional AWD. With FWD, it gets 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. If you opt for AWD, those figures drop by one apiece. Every Mazda CX-90 comes equipped with the same turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six, but output varies by trim level. Base models deliver 280 horsepower, while Turbo S models are tuned to produce 350 horsepower. The extra ponies make the CX-90 a more spirited driver, and it helps that AWD comes standard. It’s more fuel efficient than the Palisade, getting 24 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with the AWD platform. Due to that and the option for extra horsepower, we’d give the win to the CX-90 in round one.

Palisade vs CX-90 Cargo Space and Cabin

When comparing cargo space, the Hyundai SUV makes up some ground. It offers 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear row, increasing to 86.7 cubic feet of total cargo volume when both rows are folded. The CX-90 has a smaller profile, with 15.9 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear row, and up to 75.2 cubic feet of total cargo volume. If space is at a premium in your family, the Palisade deserves the nod in this category. Both SUVs are well-made and sturdy, each earning a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Both SUVs are designed to deliver a luxurious driving experience across all three rows, with top trim levels nearly indistinguishable from their more expensive counterparts. The CX-90 and Palisade both have safety and connectivity technology throughout their cabins, highlighted by the large display screens that dominate both cabins. We think cabin spacing is largely a matter of taste and would recommend test-driving both SUVs to see which one best suits your family.

Mazda CX-90 vs Hyundai Palisade Pricing Comparison

The Mazda SUV comes in three trim levels, while the Hyundai has seven to choose from. We’ve limited our scope to the ICE models for each SUV, and have listed the trim levels and MSRPs for each model below: 

Trim Level:	MSRP:
Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select	$38,800
Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred	$42,950
Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Sport	$46,980
Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus	$50,270
Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Sport	$53,940
Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus	$57,370

Trim Level:	MSRP:
Hyundai Palisade SE	$39,435
Hyundai Palisade SEL	$41,940
Hyundai Palisade SEL Convenience	$43,370
Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium	$45,300
Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro	$49,870
Hyundai Palisade Limited	$49,770
Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy	$54,590

Across the board, both SUVs are very competitively priced. The CX-90 gets a little more expensive on the top end of its trim family, thanks in large part to its more powerful engine. We’re splitting hairs when comparing different trim levels, but we think the Mazda CX-90 usually has more to offer at similar price points. For instance, at the $42,000 mark, you’ll find the Mazda gets heated front and second row seats, 21-inch wheels, and a moonroof. The similarly priced Palisade gets a smaller sunroof, only a heated front row, and smaller wheels. While those features might not mean too much individually, they add up.

What’s the Best Three-Row SUV?

So, should you choose a Mazda CX-90 or a Hyundai Palisade? We’d love to tell you there’s a correct choice, but in reality, you can’t go wrong either way. With standard AWD and more features, we’d give the Mazda the win most of the time, but if you need to be strategic bout cargo space, the Hyundai Palisade might make more sense. Compare and contrast SUVs for sale in OKC with Bob Moore Mazda!

 

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