Mazda CX-30 vs Hyundai Palisade
What's the difference?

Mazda CX-30

$22,850 - $41,950

2024 price

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Hyundai Palisade

$66,800 - $93,400

2026 price

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Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2024 Mazda CX-30

2026 Hyundai Palisade

By James Cleary

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

6.6L/100km (combined)

6.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Value
Practicality
Safety

Refined ride and handling
Timeless design
Easy to manoeuvre

Dislikes

Dated interior
Fuel efficiency could be better
Bit noisy

Rear bench-style seats are firm
Safety systems sometimes clunky
More expensive than rivals

2024 Mazda CX-30 Summary

If you’re in the market for a city- and family-friendly compact SUV, you’re in luck.

The small SUV segment is one of the most heavily populated and hotly contested in the Aussie new-car market and the Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP FWD is pitched against a seething pack of at least 10 similarly sized, generously specified and highly-credentialed competitors.

So, stay with us on a mission to determine whether this high-end version of one of Mazda’s best sellers is worthy of a spot on your new-car short list.

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2026 Hyundai Palisade Summary

If you’re in the market for an eight-seat family SUV, the Hyundai Palisade has probably already crossed your radar. But now there’s a twist. Hyundai has taken this well-established large SUV and given it a hybrid powertrain.

That puts it up against familiar rivals like the Toyota Kluger GXL Hybrid and Kia Sorento Sport+ Hybrid which are both strong players in the family-friendly space. The version we’re looking at for this review is the mid-spec Elite and we're family-testing it to see if the new hybrid powertrain makes for a winning combo.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Mazda CX-30 2026 Hyundai Palisade

Verdict

About to enter its fifth year in market the Mazda CX-30 is holding up well and this GT SP FWD grade delivers solid value relative to its key competitors, of which there are many. It’s also space-efficient, practical and performs well with top-shelf safety, decent refinement and good dynamic ability.

Alternately, it’s crying out for a hybrid powertrain to improve fuel efficiency, the interior form and function is starting to date and while it meets the market the ownership promise could be sharper. But this little SUV is still worthy of a spot on your new-car short list.

Verdict

The new hybrid powertrain for the Hyundai Palisade is a welcome addition for families looking for an efficient three-row SUV that doesn’t drive like a brick and looks good at the school pick up or client lunch. Overall, the Palisade remains a solid, all-round package that deserves praise and the eighth seat is an added bonus.

Mazda CX-30 vs Hyundai Palisade What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mazda CX-30 vs Hyundai Palisade
What's the difference?