2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Subaru Ascent
Comparison Overview
The most striking difference between the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and the 2026 Subaru Ascent is the 27 horsepower deficit in the Ascent (260 hp vs. Palisade's 287 hp), although the Ascent counters with superior torque, boasting 277 lb-ft compared to the Palisade's 260 lb-ft. Fuel economy slightly favors the Ascent with a 22 MPG combined rating against the Palisade's 21 MPG. Price is another key divergence; the Palisade starts $1,360 lower at an MSRP of $39,435. For spatial metrics, the Palisade offers greater length at 199.2 inches and slightly better cargo volume at 19.1 cubic feet versus the Ascent's 17.8 cubic feet. However, the Ascent is significantly taller by 2.1 inches (71.6 inches vs. 69.5 inches), and its standard All-Wheel Drive capability sets it apart from the Palisade's FWD base configuration.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade offers slightly better highway fuel economy at 25 MPG and is $1,360 cheaper, providing marginal daily savings.
2026 Subaru Ascent
The Ascent's standard All-Wheel Drive provides superior traction assurance across varied family travel conditions compared to the Palisade's FWD base.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade produces more peak horsepower at 287 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp, suggesting quicker acceleration potential.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Starting at $39,435, the Palisade undercuts the Ascent's MSRP by $1,360 while providing 1.3 cubic feet more cargo capacity.
Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...
- You prioritize maximum peak power, as the Palisade delivers 287 hp.
- Your budget is strict, given the Palisade's $39,435 starting MSRP.
- You need slightly more outright storage volume, offering 19.1 cubic feet.
Choose the Subaru Ascent if...
- Consistent all-weather capability is mandatory due to its standard All-Wheel Drive.
- You prefer marginally better fuel efficiency, achieving 22 MPG combined.
- You desire greater torque delivery for towing or low-end grunt, with 277 lb-ft available.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Palisade | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.2" | 196.8" |
| Width | 78.0" | 76.0" |
| Height | 69.5" | 71.6" |
| Wheelbase | 116.9" | 113.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 287 hp @ 6400 rpm | 260 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 5000 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) | 19/25 MPG | 20/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 21 MPG | 22 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 361.0/475.0 mi. | 386.0/501.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 19.0 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 11.6 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Speaker System | — | 6 |
| 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 | 41.5 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.2 in. | 42.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.4 in. | 61.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.8 in. | 57.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.7 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.0 in. | 60.3 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 56.7 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 Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R | 245/60R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
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. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and 2026 Subaru Ascent.
Which vehicle offers better acceleration based on provided specs?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade holds the advantage in horsepower with 287 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp. While the Ascent has more torque at 277 lb-ft versus 260 lb-ft, the higher horsepower generally correlates with better top-end performance.
How significant is the difference in price between the two crossovers?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade has a notable cost advantage, starting at $39,435, which is $1,360 less expensive than the 2026 Subaru Ascent's $40,795 MSRP.
Does the drivetrain affect fuel economy between the two?
The Subaru Ascent achieves slightly better overall efficiency at 22 MPG combined, likely benefiting from its standard AWD system paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Palisade achieves 21 MPG combined with its FWD setup and 8-speed automatic.
Which crossover is physically larger?
The Palisade is notably longer at 199.2 inches compared to the Ascent's 196.8 inches, potentially aiding in interior passenger or cargo layout. However, the Ascent is 2.1 inches taller at 71.6 inches.
Is there a major trade-off in cargo space?
Yes, the Palisade provides more standard cargo volume at 19.1 cubic feet. The Ascent trails slightly, offering 17.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats.
What fuel types are required for these vehicles?
Both the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and the 2026 Subaru Ascent are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying running costs for owners of either model.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool