Big families who want a plush SUV are spoiled for choice, but few are plusher than the Mazda CX-9 Azami LE and Hyundai Palisade Highlander.
Mazda CX-9 vs Hyundai Palisade Comparison
Mazda CX-9
Hyundai Palisade
How they stack...
warranty
warranty
CarExpert's Take
- Lots of metal for the money
- Punchy 2.5T still goes hard
- Comfortable and refined
- Piddly old infotainment display
- No 360 camera or front sensors
- No third-row air vents
- Mean blacked-out exterior
- Tough diesel powertrain
- Plenty of space inside
- Annoying driver assist tech
- No wireless Apple CarPlay
- A bit pricey
Standard Features
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | ||
Wireless phone charger | ||
Powered tailgate | ||
Rear air vents | ||
Adaptive cruise control | ||
Climate control | ||
Reversing sensors | ||
Reversing camera | ||
Autonomous emergency braking | ||
Optional Features
- Metallic Paint (+$695)
- Metallic Paint Special (+$695)
- Premium Paint (+$695)
Colours Available
For the 2022 model year, the CX-9 is available in the following finishes:
- Machine Grey metallic*
- Polymetal Grey metallic*
- Soul Red Crystal metallic*
- Snowflake White Pearl mica
- Sonic Silver metallic
- Titanium Flash mica
- Deep Crystal Blue mica
- Jet Black mica
*Premium finishes cost $495
Creamy White Mica is the standard paint colour, with the following finishes optional:
- Shimmering Silver metallic
- Graphite Grey metallic
- Abyss Black mica
- Sierra Burgundy mica
- Moonlight Blue mica
- Robust Emerald mica
- Gaia Brown mica (Highlander only)
- Olivine Grey metallic (Highlander only)
Premium paint is a $695 option.
While all colours are available on Highlanders with the black interior, Hyundai is restricting the availability of certain colours with the other interior themes.
Models with the Dark Khaki interior are available only in Creamy White, Abyss Black or Robust Emerald, while those with the Warm Grey interior can be had only in Graphite Grey, Gaia Brown and Moonlight Blue.
Comparison
Reviews
Mazda's largest SUV may be on its farewell tour, but even the base CX-9 has plenty to offer to Aussie families wanting bang for buck.
James Wong
It's a hefty unit with a hefty price tag, but the Hyundai Palisade is a solid choice if you look past the annoying safety tech.
Max Davies
Ready To Buy
Specs
Type | ||
TURBO DIRECT F/INJ | GASOLINE DIRECT INJ, TURBO CDI | |
Size (cc) | ||
2488 | 2199 - 3778 | |
Size (L) | ||
2.5L | 3.8L, 2.2L | |
Induction | ||
TURBO 4 | V6, DIESEL TURBO 4 | |
Camshaft | ||
DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | VARIABLE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM, DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | |
Valves/Ports per Cylinder | ||
16 | 16 - 24 | |
Power | ||
170kW | 147kW - 217kW | |
Power RPM | ||
5000 | 3800 - 6000 | |
Torque | ||
420Nm | 355Nm - 440Nm | |
Torque RPM | ||
2000 | 1750 - 5200 | |
Bore Stroke | ||
- | - | |
Compression Ratio | ||
10.5 | 13 - 16 |