The 2026 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade both target McKinney families who want three rows without a full-size SUV. Both seat up to eight, both come loaded with driver-assist tech, and both just went through updates that raised the bar for the segment.
The real separation shows up once you compare the numbers side by side. The CX-90 starts lower for an all-wheel-drive three-row, delivers more torque, and returns better fuel economy on regular gas. The redesigned Palisade counters with more cargo room throughout the cabin and a longer warranty than Mazda offers.
El Dorado Mazda built this comparison for McKinney, Plano, Frisco, and Allen shoppers who are already cross-shopping the Palisade before they commit. This guide covers pricing, power, cargo, technology, and safety, so you know exactly where each vehicle pulls ahead before you visit our McKinney showroom.
Mazda CX-90 vs. Hyundai Palisade
| Specification | Mazda CX-90 | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (incl. destination, AWD) | $40,945 | $42,430 |
| Max Horsepower | 340 hp (Turbo S, premium fuel) | 329 hp (Hybrid, estimated) |
| Max Torque | 369 lb-ft (Turbo S / PHEV) | 339 lb-ft (Hybrid, estimated) |
| Fuel Economy (combined, AWD, EPA est.) | 25 mpg (Turbo, regular fuel) | 20 mpg (V6 AWD) |
| Cargo Space (behind 3rd row / max folded) | 14.9 / 74.2 cu ft | 19.1 / 86.7 cu ft |
| Overall Length / Wheelbase | 201.6 in / 122.8 in | 199.2 in / 116.9 in |
| Towing Capacity (max, as equipped) | 5,000 lbs (Turbo S / Premium Sport) | 5,000 lbs (V6, most trims) |
| Standard Safety Suite | i-Activsense (Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert) | Hyundai SmartSense (Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist) |
| Basic / Powertrain Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi / 5 yr/60,000 mi | 5 yr/60,000 mi / 10 yr/100,000 mi |
Starting MSRP shown includes destination and handling charges for AWD trims and excludes options, taxes, title, and dealer fees. Fuel economy figures are EPA estimates as equipped and may vary by trim. Contact El Dorado Mazda to confirm current pricing and incentives.
The Palisade's 3.5-liter V6 makes up to 287 horsepower, seven more than the CX-90's standard turbo six at 280 horsepower. Torque flips the script: the CX-90 produces 332 lb-ft on regular fuel, well past the Palisade V6's 260 lb-ft.
Step up to the CX-90 Turbo S and output climbs to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft, a number the gas Palisade cannot match. Hyundai's own answer is the Palisade Hybrid, which reaches an estimated 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft. That means switching powertrains to get there.
Fuel economy favors the CX-90 across comparable AWD trims. The Turbo returns an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined, ahead of the Palisade V6 AWD's 20 mpg.
Towing lands close to even once you match trims. Both can reach 5,000 pounds, enough for a boat headed to Lake Texoma. The CX-90 needs the Turbo S or Premium Sport trim with a Genuine Mazda hitch. Most V6 Palisade trims reach that number with the available tow package, standard on the XRT PRO.
Hyundai's redesign gave the Palisade real room to work with. It holds 86.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, well ahead of the CX-90's 74.2 cubic feet. Behind the third row, the Palisade's 19.1 cubic feet also beats the CX-90's 14.9 cubic feet.
The CX-90 counters with a longer wheelbase. At 122.8 inches, it runs nearly 6 inches longer than the Palisade's 116.9-inch wheelbase. That translates to more stretch-out room for second and third-row passengers on the drive out to Frisco or Allen.
Both SUVs seat up to eight passengers, with a bench or available captain's chairs in the second row. Families hauling strollers, sports gear, or luggage for a lake trip will notice the Palisade's extra cargo room first. Families who weigh passenger space more heavily may prefer how the CX-90's longer wheelbase shows up in the cabin.
Both SUVs put a large touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration front and center. The 2026 CX-90 adds standard Alexa built-in across the lineup. Ask it for directions or control smart home devices without reaching for your phone.
The Palisade counters with its own connected suite. Digital Key 2 Premium unlocks and starts the SUV from a compatible smartphone or smartwatch, and a Wi-Fi hotspot with Alexa keeps everyone online. An integrated front and rear dash cam records automatically, even while parked.
Trim walks differ too. The CX-90 lineup runs from the Turbo Select up through the Turbo S Premium Plus and two PHEV trims, topping out near $57,570 before destination. The Palisade spans SE through Calligraphy, with a parallel Hybrid lineup, topping out near $58,280 before destination.
The CX-90's standard i-Activsense package includes Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Smart Brake Support. It also adds Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keep Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert on every trim. Premium trims add a 360-degree view monitor and traffic sign recognition.
Hyundai SmartSense comes standard on every Palisade trim too, with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Ten standard airbags and an integrated dash cam back up the suite.
Warranty coverage is where the Palisade pulls ahead outright. Hyundai backs it with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, nearly double the CX-90's 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. That matters if you plan to keep an SUV a decade or more.
Price favors the CX-90 once you compare AWD to AWD. The 2026 CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select starts at $40,945 with destination included, about $1,485 less than the Palisade SE AWD's $42,430. The Palisade does start lower in front-wheel-drive trim, but Mazda does not offer a front-wheel-drive CX-90, so AWD is the fair comparison for both.
El Dorado Mazda has served McKinney, Plano, Frisco, and Allen as a family owned dealership for years. Our bilingual sales and service team back financing built for a range of credit situations, and can walk you through current CX-90 pricing.
Power, efficiency & driver-focused design
Cargo capacity & long-term coverage
The right pick comes down to how much you haul and how much power and efficiency matter to your commute. Warranty length matters too, especially over a decade of ownership, and so does which cabin feels right in person. El Dorado Mazda can show you how the CX-90 stacks up against the Palisade in person.
Weighing the CX-90 against the Palisade means comparing two recently updated three-row SUVs with real tradeoffs, not picking a badge out of habit. Here's what McKinney and DFW shoppers ask most.
The CX-90's turbocharged inline six produces significantly more torque than the Palisade's V6 and returns better fuel economy on regular gas. The Palisade counters with more cargo space and a longer powertrain warranty. The CX-90 also offers a longer wheelbase and standard AWD on every trim.
Both can reach 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The CX-90 needs the Turbo S or Premium Sport trim with a Genuine Mazda hitch. The Palisade reaches that number on most V6 trims with the available tow package, standard on the XRT PRO.
No. Hyundai backs the Palisade with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Mazda covers the CX-90 with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, so the Palisade holds a real edge here.
Families who prioritize torque and fuel economy for commuting or towing trailers tend to prefer the CX-90. Families who need maximum cargo room for strollers, sports gear, or lake trips often lean toward the Palisade's extra cubic feet.
El Dorado Mazda, located at 2150 N. Central Expressway in McKinney, TX, carries the full CX-90 lineup, including Turbo, Turbo S, and PHEV trims, serving Plano, Frisco, and Allen. Browse current inventory and schedule a test drive.
The 2026 CX-90 starts at $40,945 with destination, about $1,485 less than the Palisade SE AWD's $42,430. The CX-90 also returns better fuel economy on regular gas. Contact El Dorado Mazda to confirm current pricing.
If torque, fuel economy, and a lower AWD starting price matter most, the CX-90 fits better. If maximum cargo room and the longest warranty in the class matter most, the Palisade is worth a closer look before you decide.
El Dorado Mazda has served McKinney, Plano, Frisco, and Allen as a family owned dealership for years. Our bilingual sales and service team is ready to help. We're located at 2150 N. Central Expressway, McKinney, TX 75070.
Browse current CX-90 inventory online or contact our team to schedule a test drive. We can walk you through the CX-90's torque advantage, fuel economy, and current pricing, and show you how it stacks up against the Hyundai Palisade.
