2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade

$38,045 · Crossover

$39,435 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade often comes down to balancing power, efficiency, and space for your growing family needs. If maximizing every gallon matters, the CX-90 pulls ahead immediately, delivering a combined 25 MPG versus the Palisade's 21 MPG, translating to significant savings over time with regular unleaded fuel. However, the Palisade counters with superior utility, boasting 19.1 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Mazda's 14.9 cu ft behind the third row, a crucial distinction for hauling gear. While the Palisade offers slightly more power at 287 hp, the CX-90 provides more low-end grunt with 332 lb-ft of torque for a starting MSRP of $38,045, making it $1,390 less expensive than the Hyundai's $39,435 entry price. These differences in efficiency and practical dimensions define which crossover best suits daily driving routines.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 offers significantly better fuel economy at 25 combined MPG, saving daily drivers money at the pump.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade wins for families due to its larger 19.1 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 provides superior torque delivery at 332 lb-ft, despite the Palisade having 7 more peak horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 starts at a lower MSRP of $38,045 while offering better fuel efficiency.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Fuel economy is a top priority, as the CX-90 achieves 25 combined MPG versus the Palisade's 21 MPG.
You appreciate stronger low-end performance, evidenced by the CX-90's 332 lb-ft of torque.
You want to save money upfront, as the CX-90 has a lower starting MSRP of $38,045.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You frequently use the third row and need maximum storage, leveraging the Palisade's 19.1 cu ft cargo area.
You prefer a slightly taller stance, as the Palisade stands 69.5 inches high compared to 68.2 inches for the Mazda.
You value slightly higher peak horsepower, as the Palisade outputs 287 hp compared to 280 hp for Car 1.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	Hyundai Palisade
Length	200.8"	199.2"
Width	78.5"	78.0"
Height	68.2"	69.5"
Wheelbase	122.8"	116.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling 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	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	3.3 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	V6
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	287 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/28 MPG	19/25 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	361.0/475.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	19.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	61.4 in.
Front Hip Room	56.2 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 Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	43.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	61.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	56.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/55R19	235/65R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.

Which vehicle is more efficient for highway commutes?

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is the clear highway winner, rated for 28 MPG highway compared to the 2026 Hyundai Palisade's 25 MPG highway. This 3 MPG advantage should result in fewer stops at the pump over a year of driving.

How much does the difference in cargo space impact packing capacity?

The Hyundai Palisade offers substantially more room behind the rearmost seats, providing 19.1 cu ft versus the Mazda CX-90's 14.9 cu ft. That 4.2 cu ft difference is significant when loading up for a long family road trip.

Are either of these models powerful enough for confident merging?

Both crossovers offer strong performance, but the Mazda CX-90 delivers significantly more pulling power with 332 lb-ft of torque, even though the Palisade has 287 hp. Both utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission.

What is the price difference between the base models?

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 starts at $38,045, making it $1,390 cheaper than the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, which begins at $39,435. This initial saving is a major factor for budget-conscious buyers.

Do I need premium fuel for either the CX-90 or the Palisade?

Fortunately, both crossovers are designed to run perfectly well on regular unleaded fuel. This aligns well with the value proposition of both vehicles for everyday ownership.

How do the overall dimensions compare?

The Mazda CX-90 is slightly longer at 200.8 inches, while the Hyundai Palisade is notably taller at 69.5 inches compared to the CX-90's 68.2 inches. Both are nearly identical in width at about 78 inches.