2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade

$39,995 · Crossover

$39,435 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Subaru Ascent and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade often boils down to prioritizing standard capability versus on-paper power. If your daily drive involves tricky weather, the Ascent's standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is a major confidence booster, even though its 260 hp engine returns a slightly better 22 MPG combined. Conversely, the Palisade starts $560 cheaper at $39,435 and offers 287 hp from its engine, though it returns 21 MPG combined and defaults to Front Wheel Drive (FWD). The Palisade is marginally larger overall, measuring 199.2 inches long compared to the Ascent's 196.8 inches, and it squeaks out more cargo space at 19.1 cubic feet versus the Ascent's 17.8 cu ft. Ultimately, both are capable three-row crossovers, but the choice hinges on whether you value Subaru's standard traction or Hyundai's higher immediate output and slight cargo edge.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Subaru Ascent

The 2025 Ascent is the better choice for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 22 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The 2026 Palisade wins for families by offering slightly more maximum cargo capacity at 19.1 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Palisade

Enthusiasts will appreciate the Palisade’s higher output of 287 horsepower, significantly more than the Ascent's 260 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade wins on initial purchase price, starting $560 lower at $39,435.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

You live in areas that frequently experience snow or mud, as the standard All-Wheel Drive is essential for traction.
You prioritize efficiency, as the Ascent achieves 22 MPG combined versus the Palisade's 21 MPG.
You prefer the peace of mind provided by Subaru's reputation for robust standard safety and drivetrain systems.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You want the most horsepower immediately available, as the Palisade delivers 287 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp.
You need maximum cubic feet for gear, benefiting from the Palisade's 19.1 cu ft cargo capacity.
You are aiming for the lowest starting price point, as the Palisade begins at $39,435.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Subaru Ascent	Hyundai Palisade
Length	196.8"	199.2"
Width	76.0"	78.0"
Height	71.6"	69.5"
Wheelbase	113.8"	116.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

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

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	flat 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	260 hp @ 5600 rpm	287 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

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

Fuel

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	19/25 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.0/501.8 mi.	361.0/475.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.3 gal.	19.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
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	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Front Head Room	41.2 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	42.2 in.	44.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.1 in.	61.4 in.
Front Hip Room	57.8 in.	58.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.6 in.	43.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.3 in.	61.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.5 in.	56.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R	235/65R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Ascent and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.

Which vehicle is better for towing or off-road performance?

While specific towing capacities aren't listed, the Subaru Ascent includes standard All-Wheel Drive, making it inherently more capable in slippery, low-traction situations than the standard Front Wheel Drive Palisade.

How much more cargo space do I actually get with the Palisade?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offers 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, giving it a slight advantage over the 2025 Subaru Ascent, which provides 17.8 cubic feet in that configuration.

Is the power difference between the two noticeable?

Yes, the Palisade has 287 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp, which means the Palisade should feel slightly punchier when accelerating onto the highway, despite using an 8-speed automatic versus the Ascent's CVT.

Are the fuel economy ratings very different between these crossovers?

The difference is minimal for regular unleaded gasoline users; the Ascent manages 22 MPG combined while the Palisade manages 21 MPG combined, resulting in only a slight running cost variance over the year.

Which vehicle is physically larger on the road?

The 2026 Palisade is longer and wider, measuring 199.2 inches long and 78.0 inches wide, making the 2025 Ascent feel a bit more compact at 196.8 inches long and 76.0 inches wide.

Do I need premium fuel for either vehicle?

Fortunately, both the 2025 Subaru Ascent and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, helping keep running costs predictable.