2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Hyundai PALISADE
For shoppers comparing the 2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Hyundai PALISADE, the decision often comes down to more than seating capacity. Both are spacious 3-row SUVs, but Mazda gives drivers a more engaging, premium-feeling approach from the first mile. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is built around a rear-biased platform, standard i-Activ AWD®, and available powertrains that include a turbocharged inline 6 or a flexible Plug-In Hybrid option. The PALISADE answers with roomy accommodations, a V6 gas engine, an available hybrid, and available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, but AWD is not standard across its gas lineup. At Bob Penkhus Mazda South, we focus on helping drivers choose a vehicle that feels composed on Powers Boulevard, confident on I-25, and refined for family travel in Colorado Springs, CO. If you want a 3-row SUV that blends utility with craftsmanship and driver-focused performance, Mazda makes a strong case.
| Feature | 2026 Mazda CX-90 | 2026 Hyundai PALISADE |
|---|---|---|
| Standard AWD across the lineup | Yes | No |
| Available plug-in hybrid powertrain | Yes | No |
| Turbocharged inline 6 gas engine | Yes | No |
| Up to 340 hp gas powertrain | Yes | No |
| Rear-biased performance platform | Yes | No |
| Kinematic Posture Control | Yes | No |
| Mazda Intelligent Drive Select with available Towing Mode | Yes | No |
| Seating for up to 8 passengers | Yes | Yes |
| Available 360° View Monitor or Surround View Monitor | Yes | Yes |
| 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ recognition | Yes | Yes |
Exterior - Mazda Dealer serving Colorado Springs, CO
From the outside, the CX-90 presents a design language that feels athletic without being exaggerated. Mazda KODO design gives the body a flowing, sculpted appearance, and the longer proportions emphasize the SUV's rear-biased architecture. Select models add 21-inch alloy wheels, Piano Black accents, dark chrome molding, and a sporty visual identity on trims such as the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Sport. The available panoramic moonroof adds openness to the cabin while reinforcing the CX-90's upscale personality. The Hyundai PALISADE takes a bolder, more upright approach, with a squared-off profile, available 21-inch wheels, and rugged-inspired details on XRT PRO trims. That look may appeal to shoppers who want a larger visual statement, but the Mazda's advantage is refinement. It looks premium without trying too hard, which fits drivers who want a 3-row SUV that can arrive at a downtown dinner, a professional meeting, or a weekend trail access point with equal confidence. For many buyers, the CX-90 simply feels more timeless.
Interior - 2026 Mazda CX-90 in Colorado Springs, CO
The Mazda cabin stands out because it feels intentionally designed rather than simply filled with features. Up to eight passengers can ride in the CX-90 depending on configuration, and available 2nd-row captain's chairs create a more open path to the third row. Mazda emphasizes a quiet, harmonious cabin with premium materials, available Nappa leather-trimmed seats, available Bose® sound, and convenient power access including USB-C charging outlets in the 2nd and 3rd row on select models. The PALISADE also offers a generous cabin, 7- or 8-passenger seating, available Nappa leather seating surfaces, available relaxation seats, and a large touchscreen experience, so it is certainly comfortable. The difference is the character of the space. Mazda leans into a more elegant, tailored atmosphere, with controls and displays arranged around the driver for a calmer, more connected feel. Families traveling between school, work, and trailheads near Pueblo and Canon City will appreciate that the CX-90 balances everyday practicality with an upscale sense of occasion.
Mazda CX-90 vs Hyundai PALISADE Mechanical Specs
Mechanically, Mazda gives the CX-90 a clear advantage for drivers who care about how an SUV responds. Standard i-Activ AWD® is always engaged and proactively monitors vehicle dynamics data in real time, helping distribute torque for predictable handling on changing surfaces. That matters in Colorado Springs, CO, where a single drive can include dry pavement, steep grades, gravel access roads, and tight parking areas near busy shopping corridors. The CX-90 also features Kinematic Posture Control, a Mazda technology designed to help the vehicle feel more settled during cornering. Mazda Intelligent Drive Select, known as Mi-Drive, allows the driver to tailor performance through modes such as Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and available Towing. The PALISADE offers available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, available Terrain Mode, towing capability, and an XRT PRO trim with more rugged equipment, but Mazda makes all-wheel-drive confidence part of the core experience rather than an add-on decision on many models. That standard confidence gives the CX-90 a more consistent mechanical identity.
Powertrain - Mazda Dealership in Colorado Springs, CO
Powertrain choice is one of the strongest reasons to favor Mazda. CX-90 3.3 Turbo models use the e-SKYACTIV®-G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbocharged engine with up to 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, while Turbo S models are tuned for up to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque when using recommended premium fuel. Every CX-90 Inline 6 model uses a SKYACTIV®-Drive 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with manual-shift mode, giving the SUV smooth, responsive character. Mazda also offers the CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid EV powertrain, which provides a flexible 27-mile electric range for short trips along with combustion and electric power for longer drives. The 2026 Hyundai PALISADE gas model uses a 287-hp 3.5-liter V6, while PALISADE Hybrid models use a turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid system. Hyundai's options are capable, but Mazda's inline 6 delivers a more distinctive premium driving feel. For shoppers who want power, balance, and a luxury-leaning personality, the CX-90 feels more special.
Safety - Mazda CX-90 vs Hyundai PALISADE
Safety is a major consideration in any 3-row SUV comparison, and both vehicles bring meaningful driver-assistance technology. The CX-90 is recognized as a 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, and Mazda notes that the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid EV earned a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Mazda's standard and available i-Activsense® safety features can include Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane-keep Assist, Road Keep Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Driver Monitoring, Vehicle Exit Warning, Cruising & Traffic Support, and an available 360° View Monitor with See-through View and Trailer Hitch View. The PALISADE also earned 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK recognition and offers Hyundai SmartSense features such as Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Surround View Monitor on select trims. The Mazda advantage is how the safety systems pair with the vehicle's responsive chassis and standard AWD, helping the driver feel aware, planted, and in control.
Why Drivers in Colorado Springs, CO Choose the 2026 Mazda CX-90
Drivers visiting Bob Penkhus Mazda South often compare the 2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Hyundai PALISADE because both offer three rows, but Mazda's balance of performance, craftsmanship, and confidence gives it a compelling edge.
- Performance: Standard i-Activ AWD®, available Mi-Drive modes, and an available turbocharged inline 6 create a connected drive.
- Comfort and technology: Premium materials, available Bose® audio, Mazda Connected Services, and available 360° View Monitor support daily convenience.
- Ownership experience: Our team helps shoppers find the right CX-90 configuration for commuting, school schedules, and weekend travel.
For a refined 3-row SUV that feels confident across local roads and mountain routes, we recommend starting with the Mazda CX-90.
Request more 2026 Mazda CX-90 information
The 2026 Hyundai PALISADE is spacious, well-equipped, and newly redesigned, but the 2026 Mazda CX-90 offers something more rewarding for drivers who want a premium 3-row SUV with real driving character. Mazda makes standard i-Activ AWD®, a rear-biased platform, available Kinematic Posture Control, and available Mi-Drive capability part of a cohesive experience. Add in the choice of an inline 6 turbo powertrain or a Plug-In Hybrid EV, plus a crafted cabin with available Nappa leather-trimmed seats, available Bose® sound, and practical seating for up to eight, and the CX-90 becomes the more complete choice for many Colorado families. At Bob Penkhus Mazda South, we are proud to help shoppers find a Mazda SUV that fits daily life in Colorado Springs, CO while still making every drive feel special. If your next vehicle should be confident, elegant, and genuinely enjoyable, the CX-90 deserves the first test drive.