2024 Acura MDX vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Acura MDX presented a striking exterior with its large shield grille, rakish headlights, and modern intake vents, creating a refined presence. Inside, the MDX was high-tech but cluttered, with a center console full of controls that could be overwhelming. The MDX offered various trims, including the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance Packages, each adding unique features like ambient lighting, upgraded audio systems, and heated seats. The Type-S Advance package, which was reviewed, included a 26-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, providing a luxurious experience despite the busy interior.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold design, especially after the 2023 refresh that gave it a more angular look. The Palisade's interior was upscale, even in the base SE trim, with premium materials in higher trims like the Calligraphy. Despite some hard-to-read metallic control markings, the Palisade was loaded with thoughtful details, such as USB ports in seatbacks and smartphone storage pockets. The Calligraphy trim, tested, featured Nappa leather, massaging seats, and a host of comfort features, making it feel more like a luxury SUV than a mainstream one.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Type-S variant, however, boasted a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX Type-S Advance offered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, with Brembo performance brakes and an adaptive air suspension that adjusted ride height. The MDX's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System enhanced its agility, and it had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade's ride was firm at lower speeds but smoother on highways, and it handled speed bumps impressively. The powertrain was satisfying, with smooth shifts and a pleasant engine sound. However, fuel efficiency was a downside, with recorded figures below EPA estimates. The Palisade's steering and suspension provided a reasonable road feel, and its brakes were well-calibrated. The SUV's towing capacity matched the MDX at 5,000 pounds.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the first two rows being comfortable and supportive, while the third row was smaller and best for children. Cargo space was 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The MDX featured a power liftgate, and the Type-S Advance model had a second-row bench with a fold-down center console. The center console provided ample storage, but the cluttered center stack of controls was a drawback.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade also had three rows, with the test vehicle featuring second-row captain’s chairs. The Calligraphy trim included Nappa leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. The second-row seats were heated and ventilated, and the third row, though snug, was also heated. The Palisade offered generous storage, with adjustable cupholders and dedicated device storage. The Smart Liftgate was a convenient feature, and cargo space was 18 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its weak point, with a clumsy interface controlled by a touchpad rather than a touchscreen. Despite this, the MDX included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The clever placement of charging ports and a leather handrest for the touchpad were positives, but the system's unintuitive nature was a significant drawback.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology, while not the latest, was functional and comprehensive. It featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though smartphone connectivity required a cable. The Palisade included Bluetooth support, wireless charging, SiriusXM, and Bluelink+ services. The voice recognition system was impressive, and the Harman Kardon audio system delivered excellent sound. Additional features like Hyundai Pay and a digital rearview mirror added to the tech appeal.

The 2024 Acura MDX came with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Technology Package added parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking, while the Advance package included a 360-degree camera system. The MDX earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though the infotainment system's distraction potential was a concern.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, offering features like forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and Highway Driving Assist. Higher trims added features like a surround-view camera and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS through 2024, but a Poor rating in a new test affected its 2025 accolade. NHTSA ratings included five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance.