If you are cross-shopping three-row SUVs, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Hyundai PALISADE comparison quickly reveals two different philosophies. Mazda builds the CX-90 on a rear-wheel-drive-based architecture with standard i-Activ AWD®, an available e-SKYACTIV G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo, and an available CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid EV. Hyundai’s PALISADE offers an all-new 3.5L V6 and optional HTRAC AWD, plus a separate Hybrid model that is not plug-in. Around town in Greenfield, WI, and across the I-43/I-894 corridor, those choices matter for confidence, composure, and refinement. Inside, both seat up to eight and deliver premium touches, but the CX-90’s craftsmanship, available Bose® audio, and thoughtful details stand out during school drop-offs and weekend drives from West Allis to Brookfield. Our team at Russ Darrow Mazda of Greenfield knows families want effortless tech, real-world versatility, and a vehicle that inspires confidence year-round. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 answers with standard i-Activsense® driver assists, available 360° View Monitor with See-through View, and tow-friendly features such as Trailer Hitch View. In short, the CX-90 leans premium and poised—attributes you notice every day in Greenfield, WI.
| Feature | 2026 Mazda CX-90 | 2026 Hyundai PALISADE |
|---|---|---|
| Standard AWD on every model | Yes | No |
| e-SKYACTIV G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo available | Yes | No |
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) option | Yes | No |
| Up to 340 hp available | Yes | No |
| RWD-based architecture | Yes | No |
| Kinematic Posture Control | Yes | No |
| 360° View Monitor with See-through View and Trailer Hitch View | Yes | No |
| 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ for this model line | Yes | No |
| Available Nappa leather-trimmed seating | Yes | Yes |
| Available panoramic or dual-pane moonroof | Yes | Yes |
Mazda’s sculpted surfaces bring the CX-90 to life with motion even at a standstill, a hallmark of the KODO philosophy. Subtle light reflections across the body panels showcase premium paint finishes like Rhodium White Premium, while dark chrome trim and Piano Black accents on select trims underscore its athletic stance. Wheel options—up to 21 inches—fill the arches handsomely and complement the CX-90’s confident proportions. The available panoramic moonroof enhances the sense of openness, and functional details such as roof rack accessories expand your weekend options. The PALISADE offers a bolder, upright look, available 21-inch wheels, and useful touches like available power-folding mirrors, but the Mazda communicates performance and refinement in equal measure. Practicality is baked in, too: the CX-90’s available 360° View Monitor with See-through View and Trailer Hitch View eases tight-angle parking and hitching in crowded lots and narrow driveways. It’s these moments—parallel parking on neighborhood streets, loading up for a game, or meeting friends after work—where the 2026 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Hyundai PALISADE becomes more than a spec sheet and starts to feel like a more thoughtfully honed everyday tool.
Step into the cabin and you feel the difference Mazda’s KODO design ethos makes. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offers an elegant, quiet space with available Nappa leather, tasteful Piano Black accents, and a flowing dash that frames the wide infotainment display. Families will appreciate available heated and ventilated seats for multiple rows, convenient third-row access, and smart storage solutions. Even those in the third row can stay connected thanks to available USB-C ports in the 2nd and 3rd rows, plus a front 12-volt outlet for added flexibility. An available Bose® sound system turns the CX-90 into a rolling studio—whether you are catching up on podcasts around State Street or cueing up a road-trip playlist out of Greenfield, WI. By contrast, the PALISADE’s spaciousness and available Nappa leather are strong, but the Mazda’s attention to tactile details and serene ride quality elevate daily commutes and longer routes. Mazda Connected Services keeps life simple with remote start, lock, and vehicle status via the MyMazda App, and the available panoramic moonroof floods the cabin with natural light. For families in Greenfield, WI, that balanced blend of utility and sophistication is a daily advantage.
The CX-90’s mechanical core sets it apart. A rear-wheel-drive-based platform with a longitudinally mounted engine gives the Mazda inherently balanced dynamics and a planted, composed feel you can sense on entrance ramps and sweeping curves. Standard i-Activ AWD® continuously monitors road conditions and vehicle inputs to proactively distribute torque, while Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control subtly applies brake force to help reduce body lift in corners—delivering stability you notice on uneven pavement and during quick lane changes on I-894. Mi-Drive offers selectable modes such as Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and available Towing, so you can dial in response for different conditions around town or on weekend trips. PALISADE counters with available HTRAC AWD and a confident chassis, plus features like a Camera Cleaning System, but it rides on a front-drive-based layout that emphasizes comfort more than rear-biased precision. In daily life, from pothole-patched city stretches to smoothly paved suburban routes, the CX-90’s tuning feels tailored to southeastern Wisconsin—surefooted and settled, yet eager to respond when you ask for it.
Mazda gives you genuine choice. The e-SKYACTIV G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo comes in two tunes—up to 280 hp in 3.3 Turbo models and up to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft in 3.3 Turbo S models when using recommended premium fuel—paired to a smooth 8-speed automatic. The result is effortless passing and quiet, confident cruising, even fully loaded. Prefer electrified flexibility? The Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid EV offers an electric-only range suited to short errands, then seamlessly blends its gasoline engine for longer drives. PALISADE introduces an all-new 3.5L V6 rated at 287 hp and an available Hybrid rated at a combined 329 hp. While strong on paper, the Mazda’s Inline 6 delivers a refined character and reserves that feel a class above in everyday use. Whether you are merging into brisk traffic or towing a small trailer when properly equipped, Mazda’s powertrains respond with smooth authority. The pairing of i-Activ AWD® and Mi-Drive also means traction and throttle response feel consistent and predictable—a hallmark of the brand’s “car-as-one” driving philosophy that resonates during every accelerative burst and on-ramps near Greenfield, WI.
Confidence starts with awareness. Every CX-90 includes i-Activsense® safety technologies like Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Lane-keep Assist. Available enhancements add Front Cross Traffic Alert and Brake, Cruising & Traffic Support for low-speed assistance, and a 360° View Monitor with See-through View. The CX-90 line earned a 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, and the 2025 CX-90 received a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. PALISADE brings its own robust SmartSense safety suite and was named a 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK, plus offers advanced features such as Highway Driving Assist 2 and available Blind-Spot View Monitor. Both SUVs support secure family travel, but the CX-90’s recognition at the highest IIHS tier underscores Mazda’s relentless focus on proactive protection. In stop-and-go congestion, tight urban parking, or a sudden winter squall, the CX-90’s systems work in the background to support your decisions. Layer in the natural stability of its RWD-based platform and traction from standard i-Activ AWD®, and you have a three-row that feels surefooted regardless of the day’s conditions.
Our guests tell us the CX-90 strikes a rare balance—luxury quietness, responsive driving feel, and useful tech that makes life simpler. Here is why it resonates with households navigating busy weeks and long weekends around the Milwaukee area.
Visit Russ Darrow Mazda of Greenfield for a personalized walkaround and a drive that highlights what sets the CX-90 apart.
When you look beyond surface specs, the Mazda approach becomes clear. The CX-90’s RWD-based engineering, standard i-Activ AWD®, available e-SKYACTIV G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo, and available CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid EV give Greenfield families meaningful advantages you can feel—calm composure, refined power, and year-round assurance. Hyundai’s PALISADE is spacious and feature-rich, yet the Mazda’s driving character and attention to detail consistently shine through. From threading through neighborhood streets to highway miles with kids and cargo, the CX-90 feels dialed-in for daily life in Greenfield, WI. Our team at Russ Darrow Mazda of Greenfield is ready to help you compare seating configurations, try Mi-Drive modes, and explore features like the 360° View Monitor. If you want a three-row SUV that drives as premium as it looks—and supports you with smart technology day after day—Mazda built the right tool for the job. See why so many local drivers choose Russ Darrow Mazda of Greenfield to make the most of their time and roads in Greenfield, WI.
