2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, which was a refreshing departure from the rugged styling cues often seen in SUVs. Its angular and technical look, especially after the 2023 refresh, gave it a distinctive character that sparked mixed reactions. Inside, the Palisade offered a clean, modern, and upscale feel, even at the base SE trim level. The higher trims boasted luxury features like premium leather and metal speaker grilles, although some control markings were hard to read in daylight. Thoughtful details such as USB ports in the front seatbacks and second-row smartphone storage pockets added to its appeal.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. Its sculptural sheet metal and athletic stance contributed to a premium look. Inside, the CX-90 featured an elegantly rendered interior with Nappa leather and polished metallic trim. However, the ergonomics were less than ideal, with a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. Despite these issues, the CX-90 maintained a sophisticated appearance, though it lacked the refinement expected from its drivetrain.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power directed to the front wheels or optionally to all wheels with AWD. The Palisade had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 22 mpg combined, dropping to 21 mpg with AWD. During testing, it recorded 16.9 mpg in city driving and 19.8 mpg overall. The Palisade's ride was firm at lower speeds but softened at higher speeds, and its powertrain was smooth and satisfying, though not particularly fuel-efficient.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, on the other hand, offered a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine in its 3.3 Turbo models, delivering 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The 3.3 Turbo S variant increased output to 319 hp and 369 lb-ft. Power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard AWD system. The CX-90 had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined, though testing showed 21.3 mpg. While the CX-90 excelled in ride and handling, its drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior, especially when cold.

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 leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. The second-row seats were heated and ventilated, and the third row was heated as well. Storage was generous, with adjustable cupholders and thoughtful compartments. The Smart Liftgate provided hands-free access, and cargo space ranged from 18 cubic feet behind the third row to 86.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, in 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim, featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the climate control system struggled to cool the cabin efficiently. The second-row captain’s chairs were comfortable but lacked seat-track travel, making child seat installation challenging. The third row was best suited for children. Storage was limited, with a focus on style over practicality. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with seats folded, which was small for the segment.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology, while functional, appeared dated compared to newer Hyundai models. It featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for smartphone connectivity. 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 a head-up display, blind spot warnings, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard had a traditional layout with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment system was touch-sensitive only with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring a knob and buttons for the native Mazda Connect platform. The voice recognition system was inconsistent, but a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The CX-90 featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display, though the blind-spot monitoring system was overly sensitive.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features under the Hyundai SmartSense umbrella. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like ultrasonic rear occupant alert, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The Calligraphy model offered automatic parking 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 Mazda CX-90 was one of the few midsize SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The PHEV model earned five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests, while gas-only models received four stars in frontal-impact testing. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. The CX-90's driver aids were effective, though the speed reduction feature was irritating, and the audible warning systems were overly intrusive.