2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Subaru Ascent

$37,200 · Crossover

$40,795 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and the 2026 Subaru Ascent is the $3,595 difference in starting MSRP, with the Palisade beginning at $37,200 versus the Ascent's $40,795. Power output also separates them, as the Palisade generates 291 hp, exceeding the Ascent's 260 hp by 31 horsepower, though the Ascent counters with slightly superior torque at 277 lb-ft compared to the Palisade's 262 lb-ft. Both vehicles achieve an identical 22 combined MPG, with City/Highway ratings of 19/26 MPG (Palisade) and 20/26 MPG (Ascent). Dimensionally, the vehicles are near clones, with the Palisade being 196.7 inches long and the Ascent 196.8 inches, but the Ascent stands significantly taller at 71.6 inches versus 68.9 inches. Cargo space also shows a slight edge to the Palisade at 18.0 cu ft over the Ascent's 17.8 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent wins for commuters due to its standard All-Wheel Drive capability, offering better traction security over the Palisade's FWD baseline.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade secures the family win by offering marginally greater cargo capacity at 18.0 cu ft and superior horsepower for merging maneuvers.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Palisade

Enthusiasts will favor the Palisade for its higher peak output of 291 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade offers $3,595 in initial savings while still providing 291 hp and a slightly larger cargo area.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

Your primary concern is maximizing upfront affordability, as the MSRP is $3,595 lower than the Ascent.
You prioritize greater peak horsepower (291 hp vs. 260 hp) for acceleration needs.
You prefer the predictability of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

Year-round traction is mandatory, given the standard All-Wheel Drive system.
You require slightly more torque (277 lb-ft vs. 262 lb-ft) for heavy towing or low-speed pull.
A higher driving position is preferred, evidenced by the Ascent's greater height of 71.6 inches.

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	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
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 2026 Subaru Ascent.

Which crossover provides better fuel economy in this comparison?

Neither vehicle offers a distinct advantage in fuel economy; both the 2025 Palisade and 2026 Ascent achieve an identical 22 combined MPG. The city MPG is very close, with the Ascent showing a 1 MPG advantage (20 city vs. 19 city).

How does the standard drivetrain affect usability?

The Subaru Ascent includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which is often preferred for poor weather conditions, whereas the base Hyundai Palisade utilizes Front Wheel Drive (FWD).

What is the difference in passenger or cargo space metrics?

The 2025 Palisade is slightly larger for cargo, offering 18.0 cubic feet compared to the Ascent’s 17.8 cubic feet. In terms of exterior size, they are nearly identical in length (196.7 in vs. 196.8 in).

Is the increased price of the Ascent justified by performance metrics?

The 2026 Ascent costs $3,595 more but produces 31 fewer horsepower (260 hp vs. 291 hp). However, it compensates with slightly higher torque (277 lb-ft vs. 262 lb-ft).

Which vehicle uses a conventional automatic transmission?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade employs an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Ascent utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) transmission.

Are both models capable of using regular unleaded fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and the 2026 Subaru Ascent are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying ongoing fuel cost management.