2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Subaru Ascent

$37,200 · Crossover

$39,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant quantifiable difference between the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and the 2025 Subaru Ascent is the 31 horsepower disparity, with the Palisade producing 291 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp, despite both models achieving an identical 22 MPG combined rating. The Palisade also boasts superior torque output with 262 lb-ft versus the Ascent's 277 lb-ft, although the Ascent features standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) against the Palisade's FWD standard setup. Priced at $37,200 MSRP, the Palisade undercuts the Ascent’s $39,995 entry price, offering a $2,795 initial cost advantage. Dimensionally, the vehicles are nearly identical in length (196.7 in vs 196.8 in), but the Ascent is noticeably taller at 71.6 inches compared to the Palisade's 68.9 inches. Cargo capacity favors the Palisade slightly at 18 cu ft versus 17.8 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade's slightly better highway MPG potential (26 MPG) and lower starting MSRP make it marginally more economical for daily driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Ascent

The standard All-Wheel Drive system on the Ascent provides superior traction assurance for various family travel conditions compared to the Palisade's standard Front-Wheel Drive.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Palisade delivers higher peak power output with 291 horsepower, making it the punchier performer off the line.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade offers a $2,795 lower MSRP while providing 31 more horsepower and a marginally larger cargo capacity of 18 cu ft.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You prioritize maximizing horsepower, as the Palisade offers 291 hp versus the Ascent's 260 hp.
Initial purchase price is a key factor, with the Palisade starting at $37,200 MSRP.
You prefer the engagement of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

All-weather capability is mandatory, given the Ascent includes standard All-Wheel Drive.
You require a taller vehicle stance, as the Ascent measures 71.6 inches high against the Palisade's 68.9 inches.
You value higher torque output (277 lb-ft) for towing or low-end pullability over peak horsepower.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Palisade	Subaru Ascent
Length	196.7"	196.8"
Width	77.8"	76.0"
Height	68.9"	71.6"
Wheelbase	114.2"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/26 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.2/488.8 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speaker System	—	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	2	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	44.1 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	58.1 in.	57.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Rear Head Room	40.1 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.7 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and 2025 Subaru Ascent.

Which vehicle offers better fuel efficiency based on city driving metrics?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers a slight advantage in city driving efficiency, achieving 20 MPG City compared to the Hyundai Palisade's 19 MPG City. However, both achieve 26 MPG on the highway, resulting in an equal 22 MPG combined rating.

How does the standard drivetrain configuration affect their performance characteristics?

The Palisade comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD), whereas the Ascent includes All-Wheel Drive (AWD) across all trims. This fundamental difference impacts traction and stability, especially in adverse weather, despite the Palisade having higher peak horsepower (291 hp vs 260 hp).

What is the price difference between the base models?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade has a base MSRP of $37,200, which is $2,795 less expensive than the 2025 Subaru Ascent's starting price of $39,995.

Which crossover has superior engine torque figures?

The Subaru Ascent provides more peak pulling force with 277 lb-ft of torque, slightly surpassing the Palisade's 262 lb-ft rating. This superior torque rating may provide a marginal benefit during acceleration or when hauling loads.

How do their overall exterior dimensions compare?

The vehicles are virtually identical in length (196.7 in vs 196.8 in), but the Ascent is significantly taller at 71.6 inches versus the Palisade's 68.9 inches. The Palisade is slightly wider at 77.8 inches compared to the Ascent's 76.0 inches.

Are there notable differences in cargo capacity for utility?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offers marginally more maximum storage volume with 18 cubic feet compared to the Ascent’s 17.8 cubic feet. This difference is minimal, amounting to only 0.2 cu ft of space advantage for the Palisade.