2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Lexus NX

$37,200 · Crossover

$44,175 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade bursts onto the scene prioritizing sheer presence and muscle, boasting 291 hp and a more substantial footprint at 196.7 inches long. This family hauler appeals with its accessible $37,200 MSRP and regular unleaded requirement. In stark contrast, the 2026 Lexus NX enters the fray with its razor-sharp efficiency, achieving an astonishing 40 MPG combined, though producing only 240 hp. The NX commands a $44,175 starting price and mandates premium fuel, demanding more at the pump both in cost and octane rating. While the Palisade offers greater outright power, the NX wins on fuel economy by a massive 18 MPG margin, making this a classic showdown between brute force and premium efficiency in the compact/midsize crossover segment.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Lexus NX

The 2026 Lexus NX is the superior choice for commuters due to its phenomenal 40 MPG combined fuel economy.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offers a larger overall package and requires less expensive regular unleaded fuel for daily driving.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade delivers significantly more traditional performance with 291 hp compared to the NX's 240 hp output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade is $6,975 cheaper to purchase initially and offers considerably more horsepower for the money.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You need maximum usable power with 291 hp ready to move your larger vehicle.
Budget consciousness extends to fuel type, as the Palisade accepts regular unleaded gasoline.
You prioritize a larger physical presence, with the Palisade measuring 196.7 inches in length.

Choose the Lexus NX if...

Exceptional fuel efficiency is non-negotiable, given its 40 MPG combined rating.
You are cross-shopping strictly based on size, as the NX is smaller and more nimble at 183.5 inches long.
You prefer maximizing cargo density, as the NX offers 22.7 cu ft despite its smaller external dimensions.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Palisade	Lexus NX
Length	196.7"	183.5"
Width	77.8"	73.4"
Height	68.9"	66.1"
Wheelbase	114.2"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row 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	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	240 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	—
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/26 MPG	42/38 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	40 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.2/488.8 mi.	609.0/551.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 gal.	14.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
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	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	9.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speaker System	—	10
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	38.3 in.
Front Leg Room	44.1 in.	41.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	56.3 in.
Front Hip Room	58.1 in.	56.3 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Rear Head Room	40.1 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	36.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	54.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.7 in.	52.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	—
Tire Size	245/60R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Lexus
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	1 yr./ 10000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and 2026 Lexus NX.

How does the fuel cost compare between the 2025 Palisade and the 2026 NX?

The NX is dramatically more fuel-efficient, achieving 40 MPG combined versus the Palisade's 22 MPG combined, a difference of 18 MPG. However, the NX requires premium unleaded fuel, which further increases its operational cost relative to the Palisade's regular unleaded requirement.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Palisade significantly larger than the 2026 Lexus NX?

Yes, the Palisade has a considerably larger body, measuring 196.7 inches long compared to the NX's 183.5 inches. Despite this size difference, the smaller Lexus NX actually has slightly more usable storage space, boasting 22.7 cu ft versus the Palisade's 18 cu ft.

Which vehicle offers better acceleration based on raw horsepower figures?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade clearly leads in immediate power delivery with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This is a substantial 51 hp advantage over the 2026 Lexus NX's 240 hp output.

What is the initial purchase price difference between these two crossovers?

The Lexus NX comes with a premium asking price, starting at $44,175, making it $6,975 more expensive than the Hyundai Palisade's $37,200 MSRP. This price difference heavily influences the overall value verdict.

Do these crossovers utilize similar transmissions?

No, they employ different approaches to automatic shifting; the Palisade uses a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the Lexus NX utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).

Which vehicle is better suited for the driver focused on performance dynamics?

While both are crossovers, the enthusiast driver will lean toward the Palisade for its higher output (291 hp) and its greater torque (262 lb-ft), suggesting a more assertive on-road feel than the efficiency-tuned NX.