2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Mazda CX-9

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade and 2023 Mazda CX-9 have similar reputations for interior excellence, good performance, and family-friendly amenities.

Choosing a favorite may come down to finding your favorite features at the right price. This trim level analysis should help with that. Spoiler alert: only the Palisade has second-row ventilated seats.

1. How do the Trims Under $40,000 MSRP Compare?

   The most affordable of either brand’s trim levels is the Palisade SE. Seating 8, this bargain has many contemporary standards, including Hyundai’s large 12.3 touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

   Cabins have soft-touch surfaces, a four-spoke steering wheel, LED exterior lights, an acoustic windshield, and a driver’s power chair. There are air conditioning vents and USB ports on every row. Remarkably, navigation is already standard. Power-fold second-row seats are a Hyundai exclusive.

   Seating 7 or 8, a Palisade SEL adds tri-zone automatic climate controls, the Hyundai Digital Key, a wireless charger, and a hands-free power liftgate. The seats wear an attractive synthetic leather.

   SEL drivers get more features on their power chair, and front seat passengers gain a power chair of their own. All-wheel drive can be added to SE or SEL trims with the suggested retail price staying under or around $40,000.

   Seating 6 for just under $40,000, the 2023 Mazda CX-9 Touring has a moonroof and leather trim on the first two rows. Otherwise, it has similar amenities to the SEL, including the tri-zone AC controls, dual heated power chairs, and rear power liftgate.

   Mazda uses a 10.25-inch display instead of a touchscreen. The driver uses a Multi Function Commander control to make menu choices. This system has the Apple and Android interface, Bluetooth and other standards like the Hyundai. The one thing missing is navigation.

2. How do the Second-Tier Trims Compare?

   For this model year, the Palisade SEL Premium package adds a sunroof, numerous driver aids, an in-car intercom, and window sunshades. This package includes ventilated seating for the front row and the center captain’s chairs. For Phoenix families, these four air-cooled seats may clinch the deal.

   Palisade XRT models are all about style. Interiors gain special H Tex leatherette and a sunroof. Exteriors have a rugged look that sets them apart from other Palisade trims.

   Meanwhile, the Mazda CX-9 Touring Plus adds more details such as a second-row center armrest, more USB ports, and larger wheels. This trim level adds ventilated front seats, but second-row ventilated seats aren’t available on this or any CX-9 trim.

3. What are the Luxury Trim Choices?

   Keeping initial pricing below the $50,000 mark, both the CX-9 and the Palisade have luxury interiors. With the Palisade Limited or Calligraphy trim levels, Hyundai shoppers get two rows of ventilated seats, three rows of heated seats and window shades. Leather upholstery choices are paired with a wrapped synthetic leather dashboard and more premium soft touches.

   Limited and Calligraphy dash tech includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, doubling the screens. The Harman Kardon system has 12 speakers with Quantum Logic Surround. There are additional USB ports and a Parent Talk in-car intercom. Calligraphy models have unique wing-out headrests for the center row seats.

   On the Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature trim levels, Mazda shoppers will find comforts such as window shades, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. There are more luxurious leather upholstery choices and a Bose 12-speaker system. Navigation and a 7-inch LCD Meter display are added to the dash tech.

   As you can see, the Palisade top trims come out ahead when it comes to amenities and dash tech. Affirming its style, the Hyundai has been named to the 2023 Wards 10 Best Interiors List.

4. How Spacious are These 3-Row SUVs?

   One thing parents always want to know is how comfortable the kids will be on the second and third row. It all starts with spaciousness. After all, kids may start out small, but they sure do grow.

   In this case, the Palisade has almost 20 cubic feet more passenger space. SE models have 8 seats, and 8 seats are offered on the SEL FWD/AWD trims. Seating for 7 is standard on the SEL, XRT, Limited and Calligraphy trims.

   The CX-9 trims generally offer six seats, although you can get seven seats on the Touring Plus and Grand Touring trim levels. This means the Mazda price nets you fewer seats and less space, regardless of trim level, when compared to the Palisade.

   

   For second-row passengers, Palisade SUVs have almost two more inches of second-row legroom. Plus, the Hyundai 3-row SUV has more headroom and more legroom on the third row where things are always tight.

5. What Safety Features Come with Each Trim Level?

   The CX-9 Touring has an emergency autobrake, lane departure warning, a blind spot monitor, pedestrian detection, and a rear cross traffic alert. Mazda Radar Cruise Control is also standard.

   The Carbon Edition adds front/rear parking sensors, a driver attention alert, and reverse autobrake support. The Grand Touring and Signature add a surround-view parking camera and traffic sign recognition.

   The Palisade SE is actually better equipped than the Mazda Touring. It starts off with intelligent speed limit assist, a lane keeper, a lane following assist, a driver attention warning, forward collision warning autobrake, pedestrian watch autobrake, junction turning guidance, and a blind spot warning. The rear cross-traffic alert has a helpful avoidance assist. Plus a reverse distance warning is standard driver assistance.

   The Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims add a forward distance warning, a surround view camera, and a head up display. The forward collision system adds the ability to watch for dangerous situations that involve oncoming traffic and more. An active assist can help steer or brake.

   Exclusive to Hyundai, the adaptive cruise control is kept informed by the navigation system, helping it deal better with curves. Parents will appreciate two more Hyundai SE standards, a rear occupant alert and safe exit assist.

   Highway Driving Assist I is standard on the SE, and semi-automated Highway Driving Assist II is added to the Limited and Calligraphy trims. These top Palisade trims have a blind spot view monitor which reveals a wide arc behind the car via a camera system that uses the rearview mirror as its screen. Calligraphy trims have Hyundai Remote Parking Assist that lets you stand aside while the Palisade parks.

6. What are the Powertrain and Drivetrain Choices?

   Big three-row SUVs need some serious power to stay competitive. Standard on all trims, a turbo four powers the all-wheel drive CX-9. A more traditional V6 engine powers the front-wheel drive Palisade. H-Trac AWD is available on all five Palisade trim levels.

   

   The 2023 CX-9 claims the higher torque rate while the Palisade claims a significantly higher rate of horsepower and a wider gear range for its automatic transmission.

   If you are looking for a tie breaker, the fuel economy won’t help with that. It is quite similar. Perhaps the most important point here is that the Palisade provides you with a stop-start system to help keep city fuel use as low as possible. Competitive financing deals are available from your Earnhardt North Scottsdale Hyundai dealer.

7. Tow Ratings

   How important is towing to a big family? It really depends on the family, but it’s nice to know you can tow if you want to. In this case, the CX-9 has a 3,500-pound tow rating while the Palisade offers a 5,000-pound tow rating. Even the Palisade SE has trailer sway control, hitch pre-wiring, and extra heavy duty engine coolers.

   New for 2023, the Palisade H-Trac includes a tow mode for easier travel with a tandem trailer. Ground clearance is 7.9 inches for the Hyundai and 8.8 inches for the Mazda.

8. Cargo Capacity

   A large 3-row SUV should be useful for hauling stuff as well as people. Some parents may be loading up the back with nursery furniture or a big-box playhouse. Other parents may find themselves driving their child to college with a load of furniture and gear. The larger Palisade is able to offer 86 cubic feet with its seats down. The CX-9 lags behind that with 71 cubes.

   All families take vacations, but three-rows are known for too-small cargo holds. The Palisade is able to accommodate more gear with its 18-cu ft cargo hold than the CX-9 with its 14.1-cube hold. Shoppers can get a power liftgate on the CX-9 Touring, a hands-free power liftgate on the Palisade SEL, or a hands-free liftgate on the CX-9 Signature.

   

   If just the third row is folded, the Palisade claims an extra 6 cubic feet of space. Power-fold second row seats are standard on the SE and all trim levels. Power-fold third row seats are standard with the Limited and Calligraphy. Power-folding seats are not listed for the CX-9.

9. Reputation and Rankings

   US News has ranked the well-liked Mazda CX-9 at #3 in midsize SUVs and #5 among 3-row SUVs. Tied for #1 among 3 row SUVs and midsize SUVs, the Palisade is the 2023 Best SUV for the Money at US News and World Report.

   Demonstrating its universal appeal, the Palisade is on prestigious lists such as Autotrader’s Best New Cars for 2023, Motor Trend Ultimate Car Rankings, and the Motor Week Drivers’ Choice Awards.

10. How can I Compare Ownership Costs?

    

    If you’ve paid attention in this comparison, you’ve noticed that Hyundai simply has more equipment at every trim level. Plus it has numerous features that are exclusive. You can add to that lower ownership costs. This is due to the long warranty coverage and free maintenance that isn't available with a CX-9 SUV purchase.

Conclusion

With more features, a more spacious cabin, and more high tech systems, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade manages to pull ahead at every trim level and price point.

Schedule a test drive at Earnhardt, your North Scottsdale Hyundai dealer serving Phoenix AZ.

REVIEWS

”The 2023 Hyundai Palisade shines in nearly every category. It offers a refined and spacious cabin, a long list of standard tech and driver-assistance features, an easy-to-use infotainment system and balanced ride and handling. So-so gas mileage is one of its few flaws.”

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”The refreshed Hyundai Palisade remains the comfortable and convenient family hauler it was known and beloved for in the first place.”

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