2023 Hyundai Palisade vs. 2022 Lexus LX 600: Is It Worth Paying Double for the Luxury SUV?
The three-row class is filled with many formidable competitors. Two popular entrants are the 2023 Hyundai Palisade and. And while one is considered a luxury SUV while the other falls into the average consumer category, we thought it would be a good idea to compare them.
Over the past year we’ve had the pleasure of testing both the Palisade and the LX 600 and have been impressed with both. But it got us wondering: Is it really worth spending twice as much money on a Lexus over a Hyundai?
Palisade Calligraphy, and you’ll notice it has many of the same things as the LX 600 Luxury. Some similar features include:
- Electrically adjustable front seats
- Heated first and second row seats
- The first and second row seats are ventilated
- Leather upholstery
- The steering wheel is heated
- 12.3-inch touchscreen for information and entertainment
- Wireless charging base
- Lots of USB ports
- Head-up display
- 360 degree screen
- bluetooth
Don’t get us wrong, sitting inside both cars, it’s clear that Lexus uses higher quality materials. However, when you consider that the Palisade Calligraphy costs half the price, it’s easy to give it a pass. However, we have to hand it to Hyundai for including many of the same tech features you can get in luxury SUVs.
Although it’s worth noting that choosing a model adds back-seat massage, a rear-seat wireless charger, a rear center armrest table, and an electric ottoman, features Palisade owners could only dream of. But this level costs 130 thousand dollars.
Lexus beats Hyundai when it comes to power
Many three-row SUV buyers will likely be interested in towing, and this is where the Lexus LX 600 beats the Hyundai Palisade. We weren’t able to pull anything off during our time with any of the SUVs, but we can definitely feel the power that Lexus has put out there. The LX 600 is powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine that generates 409 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.
That power is enough to tow up to 8,000 pounds, more than enough to quickly move an SUV to highway speeds. On the other hand, the Hyundai Palisade is powered by a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 that produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. With that power, the Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds, but it’s a bit more fuel efficient.
According to the EPA, the Palisade can get up to 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, compared to the LX 600’s ratings of 17 and 22, respectively.
The Hyundai Palisade has the Lexus LX 600 winning in the cargo area department
Although the Lexus LX 600 is clearly more luxurious and powerful than the Palisade, Hyundai excels when it comes time to move things around. The Lexus LX 600 has 64 cubic feet of space behind the first row, 44 cubes behind the second row, and 11 cubic feet when the third row is folded.
In contrast, that’s 86.4 cubic feet behind the first row, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 18 cubic feet behind the third row. This means that it becomes more practical when the car is fully loaded with passengers, with a decent margin.
What’s more, the Palisade’s third row is easier to get into than it is in the LX 600. The second-row captain’s seats easily fold down with the push of a button, and there’s room between them for easy passing, too.
Driving the Lexus LX 600 is a somewhat more luxurious experience
On the road, the 2022 Lexus LX 600 looks like a $100,000 SUV. Its ride is smooth, and the cabin is very quiet, making it easy to carry on conversations with passengers, even in the third row. The engine feels smooth as it weaves its way through the rev range, and the throttle is responsive. The brakes hold well, and the pedal provides a linear feel, which is saying a lot considering this SUV weighs nearly 6,000 pounds.
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade also offers a smooth driving experience. The cabin is well insulated from outside wind noise, though we did detect a fair amount of road noise. Compared to the LX 600, the Palisade’s suspension feels a little stiffer, which is probably why it translates more noise and vibration into the cabin.
Plus, the Palisade doesn’t feel forced. However, we felt its brakes could use a little more stopping power. Also, the pedal felt squishy in comparison, which doesn’t inspire confidence when driving downhill.
2023 Lexus LX 600 vs. 2023 Hyundai Palisade: Should You Spend The Extra Money?
After driving my three-row SUV for a week, we think the 2023 Hyundai Palisade offers about $50,000 better value than the Lexus LX 600. Of course, if you’re looking for a more luxurious experience and can use all of Lexus’ off-road features, spend the extra money on it.
However, if all you need is a three-row SUV that can carry up to seven passengers and plenty of stuff, we recommend getting the Palisade Calligraphy. It has almost everything a Lexus does for half the price.
