2025 BMW X3 vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, which was a refreshing departure from the typical rugged styling cues seen in many SUVs. The 2023 refresh had given it a more angular and technical look, replacing the previous chubby-cheeked face. This design choice sparked mixed reactions, but it was generally appreciated for its balanced forms and upscale appearance, making it seem like a bargain at its sticker price. Inside, even the base Palisade SE trim offered a clean and modern look, with higher trims featuring luxury cues like premium leather and metal speaker grilles. However, some metallic-surface control markings were difficult to read during the day.

The 2025 BMW X3, with its redesigned seductive appearance, featured a long and tall hood, captivating dashboard-to-axle ratio, and a tapering greenhouse and roofline, giving it an athletic look. The test model's Arctic Race Blue paint, paired with machined surface wheels and Calm Beige upholstery, added to its allure. The Veganza artificial leather looked and felt authentic, while the cabin's plastic trim elements glowed with ambient lighting. However, some interior materials revealed the X3's price point, particularly the plastic used lower in the cabin, which lacked liners to reduce noise and vibration. Despite these minor drawbacks, the X3's overall design and feel were impressive.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Power was transferred to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with an optional AWD system available. The Palisade had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and averaged 22 mpg in combined driving, though our test recorded slightly lower figures. Despite its age, the Palisade's driving experience was smooth and refined, with a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer ride on highways. The powertrain was satisfying, with plenty of power and smooth shifts, making it a delight in a segment where many rivals opted for turbocharged four-cylinder engines.

The 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight, the X3 achieved a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds, thanks to its eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive AWD system. The engine's power curve was impressive, providing peak torque from a low 1,600 rpm to near redline. The X3 also had a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing responsiveness and making the start-stop system nearly imperceptible. The M50 xDrive variant offered even more power with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. The X3's sport-tuned suspension and performance tires provided a thrilling driving experience, though the ride quality was more akin to a go-kart on imperfect roads.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, accommodating adults comfortably. Our test vehicle featured a seven-passenger setup with second-row captain’s chairs, while an eight-passenger configuration was available. The Calligraphy trim included Nappa premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. The second-row seats were heated and ventilated, with good thigh support and legroom. The third-row seat was also heated, a rarity in this segment. Storage space was generous, with thoughtful features like adjustable cupholders and smartphone trays. The Smart Liftgate provided hands-free access to the cargo area, which offered 18 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 86.4 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2025 BMW X3's interior felt spacious, with a simple dashboard and a prominent BMW Curved Display housing digital instrumentation and infotainment. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and upholstered in Veganza artificial leather. The rear seats, however, were less comfortable, with passengers positioned too low and hard front seat-back panels causing discomfort. The cargo area offered 31.5 cubic feet of space, with a lightweight cargo cover and additional storage under the load floor. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo and passenger arrangements.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology, while functional, appeared dated compared to Hyundai's newer models. It featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though smartphone connectivity required a cable. The system included Bluetooth support, wireless charging, SiriusXM, and Bluelink+ services. The voice recognition system performed well, and the Harman Kardon audio system delivered commendable sound. Additional features included Hyundai Pay, a digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 BMW X3's BMW Curved Display was powered by the new iDrive 9 software, offering a Quick Select user experience. However, our test vehicle experienced issues with profile creation and accessing BMW Digital Services. The system occasionally froze, and media preferences were sometimes forgotten. Despite these challenges, the navigation system with augmented video provided accurate directions. Wireless Apple CarPlay worked flawlessly, offering a reliable alternative to the native infotainment features.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features under the Hyundai SmartSense umbrella. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. Higher trims added features like ultrasonic rear occupant alert, surround-view camera, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024 but missed the accolade in 2025 due to a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test. The NHTSA awarded it five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.

The 2025 BMW X3's driver assistance features were more rewarding than its infotainment system. The standard Active Driving Assistant suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium Package added adaptive cruise control and Parking Assistant Plus. The Driving Assistant Professional Package offered hands-free Traffic Jam Assistant and other advanced features. The X3 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings in the frontal-impact crash test. The IIHS had not published ratings for the 2025 model at the time of writing.