Compare the2026 Lexus GXVS 2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Lexus GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Palisade doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The GX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Palisade doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the GX. But it costs extra on the Palisade.

Both the GX and the Palisade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Lexus GX weighs 713 to 1290 pounds more than the Hyundai Palisade. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 62 more horsepower (349 vs. 287) and 219 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 260) than the Palisade’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 20 more horsepower (349 vs. 329) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 339) than the Palisade’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus GX is faster than the Hyundai Palisade:

The GX has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GX has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade V6’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 19 gallons).

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus GX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Palisade.

For better stopping power the GX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Palisade:

The GX stops shorter than the Palisade:

For better traction, the GX has larger tires than the Palisade (265/55R20 vs. 235/65R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Palisade’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Lexus GX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Hyundai Palisade only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The GX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Palisade; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The GX Overtrail has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Palisade doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The GX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Palisade’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GX 550 Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Palisade XRT PRO (28.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GX 550 Premium has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Palisade (8.7 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GX 550 Overtrail’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the Palisade XRT PRO (9.8 vs. 8.4 inches).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the GX. The Palisade doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The GX’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Palisade’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Palisade’s (9063 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Palisade is only 5000 pounds. The GX offers up to a 9096 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the GX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Palisade. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 70% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

The GX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Palisade does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Palisade’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the GX the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Palisade can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Palisade doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The GX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Palisade’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The GX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Palisade doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GX offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Palisade doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Lexus GX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid.

The Lexus GX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Hyundai charges extra for Homelink® on the Palisade.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.