2023 Hyundai Palisade vs. 2022 Lexus LX 600: Is It Worth Paying Double for the Luxury SUV?
The three-row SUV category is filled with a lot of formidable competitors. Two popular entrants include the 2023 Hyundai Palisade and the Lexus LX 600. And although one is considered a luxury SUV while the other falls under the regular consumer category, we thought it would be a good idea to compare them.
Over the past year, we have had the pleasure of testing both the Palisade and the LX 600 and were impressed by both. But it made us wonder: Is it really worth spending double the money on the Lexus over the Hyundai?
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy has a lot of the same features the Lexus LX 600 has
Take a close look at the features of the 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, and you’ll notice that it has many of the same stuff the Lexus LX 600 Luxury has. Some of the similar features include:
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Heated first and second-row seats
- Ventilated first and second-row seats
- Leather-trimmed upholstery
- Heated steering wheel
- A 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless charging dock
- Plenty of USB ports
- Head-up display
- 360-degree monitor
- Bluetooth
Don’t get us wrong, when sitting inside both of these vehicles, it’s clear that the Lexus uses higher-quality materials. However, when keeping in mind that the Palisade Calligraphy costs half the price, it’s easy to give it a pass. That said, we have to hand it to Hyundai for including a lot of the same tech features that you can get in a luxury SUV.
Although, it’s worth noting that opting for the LX 600 Ultra Luxury model adds rear-seat massages, a rear-seat wireless charger, a rear-center armrest table, and a power ottoman, which are features Palisade owners would only dream of. But that trim level costs $130,000.
The Lexus beats out the Hyundai when it comes to power
Many three-row SUV buyers are likely interested in towing, and that’s where the Lexus LX 600 has the Hyundai Palisade beat. We weren’t able to tow anything during our time with either SUV, but we could definitely feel the power the Lexus put out. The LX 600 is powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine that generates 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.
That power is enough to pull up to 8,000 pounds, and it’s more than enough to get the SUV moving quickly up to highway speeds. The Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 that produces 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. With that power, the Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds, but it is slightly more fuel-efficient.
According to the EPA, the Palisade can get up to 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, compared to the LX 600’s 17 and 22 ratings, respectively.
The Hyundai Palisade has the Lexus LX 600 beat in the cargo area department
Although it’s clear that the Lexus LX 600 is more plush and powerful than the Palisade, the Hyundai has it beat when it’s time to haul stuff around. The Lexus LX 600 has 64 cubic feet of space behind the first row, 44 cubes behind the second row, and 11 cubes when the third row is folded up.
In contrast, the Hyundai Palisade has 86.4 cubic feet behind the first row, 45.8 cubes behind the second, and 18 cubic feet of space behind the third row. That means it’s more practical when the car is fully loaded with passengers by a decent margin.
Furthermore, it’s easier to get into the third row in the Palisade than the LX 600. The second-row captain’s chairs fold easily with the push of a button, and there’s space between them for an easy pass-through as well.
Driving the Lexus LX 600 is a slightly more luxurious experience
On the road, the 2022 Lexus LX 600 feels like a $100,000 SUV. Its ride is soft, and the cabin is whisper-quiet, which makes it easy to carry on conversations with passengers, even in the third row. The engine feels smooth as it makes its way through the rev range, and the accelerator pedal is responsive. The brakes grip well, and the pedal provides a linear feel, which says a lot considering this SUV weighs nearly 6,000 pounds.
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade provides a smooth driving experience as well. The cabin is well-insulated from outside wind noise, although we did detect a fair amount of road noise. Compared to the LX 600, the Palisade’s suspension feels a little more firm, which it why it probably translates a little more noise and vibration into the cabin.
Additionally, the Palisade doesn’t feel underpowered; however, we felt its brakes could use a little more stopping power. Also, the pedal felt squishy by 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 both of these three-row SUVs around for a week, we think the 2023 Hyundai Palisade provides a better value than the Lexus LX 600 at around $50,000. Of course, if you’re looking for a more luxurious experience and can use all of the off-road features the Lexus has, then spend the extra money on it.
However, if all you need is a three-row SUV that can carry up to seven passengers and loads of stuff, we recommend getting the Palisade Calligraphy. It has nearly everything the Lexus does at half the price.
