2025 Acura RDX vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Acura RDX and the 2025 Hyundai Palisade often comes down to whether you prioritize luxury refinement or sheer size for less money. That initial $7,500 price difference ($44,700 for the RDX versus $37,200 for the Palisade) is substantial right off the bat. Performance is comparable; the RDX offers slightly more torque at 280 lb-ft compared to the Palisade's 262 lb-ft, though the Palisade squeezes out 291 horsepower versus the Acura's 272 hp. Practicality swings heavily toward the Palisade in size: it measures 196.7 inches long, significantly stretching beyond the RDX's 187.4 inches, and offers a larger presence overall. However, the RDX manages marginally better fuel economy at 23 combined MPG versus 22 combined MPG, though both recommend premium fuel (Acura) or regular (Hyundai). Cargo space favors the smaller Acura at 29.5 cu ft compared to the Palisade’s 18 cu ft, assuming the Palisade utilizes its third row.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Acura RDX
The RDX offers slightly better fuel economy (23 combined MPG) and its smaller footprint aids easier city maneuvering.
2025 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade’s significantly longer 196.7-inch body and greater overall height suggest better space for growing families, despite the smaller stated cargo number.
2025 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade wins on raw power delivery, boasting 291 horsepower compared to the RDX’s 272 hp.
2025 Hyundai Palisade
Saving $7,500 upfront while getting more horsepower makes the Palisade an outstanding value proposition.
Choose the Acura RDX if...
- You frequently drive solo or only with one passenger and prioritize a premium, nimble feel.
- Your budget comfortably absorbs the $44,700 starting MSRP without strain.
- You prefer the handling characteristics often associated with Acura's AWD system.
Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...
- You need to keep the initial purchase price under $38,000.
- You frequently haul larger items or require the capacity provided by a larger chassis.
- Saving money on fuel type matters, as the Palisade accepts regular unleaded gasoline.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Acura RDX | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 187.4" | 196.7" |
| Width | 74.8" | 77.8" |
| Height | 65.7" | 68.9" |
| Wheelbase | 108.3" | 114.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 3.8 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6500 rpm | 291 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/27 MPG | 19/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 22 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 359.1/461.7 mi. | 357.2/488.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 gal. | 18.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.2 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 9 | — |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 44.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.0 in. | 61.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.0 in. | 58.1 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | 40.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.0 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.0 in. | 60.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 50.0 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | 245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Acura | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Acura RDX and 2025 Hyundai Palisade.
How much smaller is the 2025 Acura RDX compared to the 2025 Hyundai Palisade in exterior size?
The RDX is substantially smaller; it is 9.3 inches shorter in length (187.4 inches vs. 196.7 inches) and about 3 inches narrower overall.
Does the power difference between these crossovers translate to significantly better fuel economy?
Not significantly; the RDX achieves 23 combined MPG while the Palisade gets 22 combined MPG, so both fall into a similar efficiency bracket.
Which vehicle saves more money regarding fuel requirement?
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade saves money by recommending regular unleaded, whereas the 2025 Acura RDX recommends premium fuel, adding recurring costs.
Why does the smaller RDX list more cargo space than the larger Palisade?
The stated cargo capacity of 29.5 cu ft for the RDX likely reflects a measurement behind the second row, indicating the Palisade's space measurement might account for its standard three rows of seating.
Which crossover delivers more initial power output?
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offers slightly higher peak power with 291 horsepower compared to the RDX’s 272 horsepower.
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