Compare the2026 Mazda CX-90VS 2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Palisade doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Palisade doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the Palisade.

Both the CX-90 and the Palisade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Palisade has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 61 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 4 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The CX-90 has more powerful engines than the Palisade:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Palisade:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Palisade:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 27 miles. The Palisade can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Palisade doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Palisade (265/55R19 vs. 235/65R18). The CX-90 Preferred/Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Palisade (275/45R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The CX-90 Select’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Palisade’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 Select has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Palisade.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Palisade (122.8 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Palisade XRT PRO’s (38.1 feet vs. 39 feet). The CX-90’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Palisade’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Palisade (8 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Palisade. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The CX-90’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Palisade’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The CX-90’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Palisade’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Palisade doesn’t offer cornering lights.