2025 Lexus UX vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Lexus UX and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade often boils down to size versus efficiency. Are you prioritizing city maneuverability and rock-bottom running costs, or do you need maximum passenger and cargo space? The Lexus UX is a nimble city slicker boasting an exceptional combined 43 MPG, crushing the Palisade’s 21 MPG combined rating—that's a massive 22 MPG difference! However, the Palisade offers substantial utility, being nearly 22 inches longer (199.2 inches vs. 177.0 inches for the Lexus) and significantly more powerful with 287 hp compared to the UX's 196 hp. While the Lexus starts slightly lower at $36,740 versus the Palisade's $39,435 MSRP, the massive fuel savings from the UX could offset the initial cost gap over several years, especially for high-mileage drivers prioritizing frugality.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Lexus UX
The Lexus UX wins decisively for commuting due to its outstanding 43 combined MPG rating, minimizing fuel stops and costs.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The significantly larger Hyundai Palisade offers better overall utility and space, despite its lower fuel economy.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade appeals more to performance seekers by offering 91 more horsepower (287 hp vs. 196 hp) and 260 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Lexus UX
The Lexus UX provides better long-term value by combining a lower MSRP starting point with vastly superior fuel efficiency.
Choose the Lexus UX if...
- You plan to drive frequently in dense urban areas where 45 MPG city efficiency will save substantial money.
- You prefer a smaller footprint for easier parking, given the UX's length of only 177.0 inches.
- Your budget prioritizes low operating costs, as the UX achieves 43 MPG combined while using regular unleaded fuel.
Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...
- You regularly need more passenger or cargo space than the 17.1 cu ft the Lexus offers.
- You desire significantly quicker acceleration provided by the Palisade's 287 horsepower engine.
- You prefer the controlled shifting feel of a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Lexus UX | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 177.0" | 199.2" |
| Width | 72.4" | 78.0" |
| Height | 60.6" | 69.5" |
| Wheelbase | 103.9" | 116.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Lexus | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear 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 Multi-Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 3.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 196 hp | 287 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 45/41 MPG | 19/25 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 43 MPG | 21 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 477.0/434.6 mi. | 361.0/475.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 10.6 gal. | 19.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 37.2 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 44.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.0 in. | 61.4 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 53.8 in. | 58.8 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 36.3 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 33.1 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 52.9 in. | 61.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.3 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.0 in | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Size | 225/50R18 | 235/65R |
| Run Flat Tires | ✓ | — |
| Tire Type | — | All Season |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Lexus | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus UX and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
How significant is the fuel economy gap between these two crossovers?
The difference is enormous; the 2025 Lexus UX achieves 43 combined MPG, whereas the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is rated at only 21 combined MPG. This 22 MPG advantage means the Lexus will cost significantly less to run daily.
Is the Palisade substantially larger than the Lexus UX?
Yes, the size difference is very noticeable. The Palisade measures 199.2 inches long, making it 22.2 inches longer than the compact 177.0-inch Lexus UX, translating to much more room inside.
Which car offers better power for highway merging?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is the clear winner here, producing 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, giving it a substantial 91 horsepower advantage over the Lexus UX's 196 hp.
Are there differences in the type of gas they use?
Fortunately, both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel, which is great for keeping refueling costs predictable. However, the efficiency difference remains the dominant factor in overall running expenses.
How does the starting MSRP compare between the two?
The 2025 Lexus UX has a slightly lower starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at $36,740 compared to the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, which begins at $39,435.
What are the cargo differences, especially with seats up?
While both are crossovers, the Palisade offers slightly more utility with 19.1 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Lexus UX's 17.1 cu ft behind the rear seats.
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