Hyundai Palisade Vs Subaru Ascent: Which Family SUV Would I Buy?

Which is a better deal?

The base 2024 Subaru Ascent starts at $34,195, while the Hyundai Palisade SE starts at $36,650.

Despite starting at a lower price, the Ascent comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system, while all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option for the Hyundai.

As a result, you’ll have to pay at least $38,650 for an all-wheel-drive Palisade, or about $4,500 more than the comparable Ascent.

At the other end of the spectrum, the top-spec Ascent Touring starts at $48,495. With taxes, my test car dressed in Dark Mahogany Pearl paint had an as-tested price of $49,931.

The Palisade lineup has six trim levels, topping out at $53,850.

My fully loaded Palisade test drives came in at a very similar as-tested price of $53,650.

Which looks better?

Both the Ascent and Palisade debuted in 2019 and received a mid-cycle refresh in 2023, including updated styling and improved technology.

Subaru has eschewed the anonymous but beautifully conservative styling of the original Ascent for a much more aggressive and aggressive look, punctuated by a large chrome bar across the front grille, redesigned angular LED headlights and bumper cover. Ascent’s updated look works for me, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

However, the Palisade’s new jewel-style parametric front grille takes the cake for me. It is a face that is both futuristic and elegant.

Which one is bigger?

The Climb and the Palisade have virtually identical exterior dimensions.

The Ascent is 0.1 inches longer and 2.7 inches taller than the Palisade, which is about two inches wider than the Ascent.

However, the Ascent’s longer hood means the Palisade actually has a roomier cabin, with 155.3 cubic feet of interior passenger volume versus 150.2 cubic feet for the Subaru.

How much ground clearance do they have?

The Palisade has a minimum ground clearance of 7.9 inches, which falls behind the Subaru Ascent’s 8.7 inches.

Both SUVs can tow up to 5,000 lbs when equipped with an optional trailer hitch and trailer brakes.

Turbocharged boxer or V6 power?

Subaru and Hyundai approached propulsion very differently.

Power for the Ascent comes from the Subaru F24F’s 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine. It produces a mighty 260 horsepower and 277 ft. lbs. of torque and is mated to Subaru’s Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The only engine available on the Palisade is the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter Hyundai Lambda II V6. The 3.8-liter V6 shared with the Kia Telluride produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Both test cars delivered identical EPA fuel economy figures of 21 mpg in combined highway and city driving.

How do they drive?

While neither would be mistaken for sports cars, both family haulers offer a safe and secure driving experience.

Despite identical acceleration times, the Ascent feels more aggressive and punchy off the line, while the Palisade is smooth and linear.

The most noticeable difference between the two is their transmissions.

The Palisade’s 8-speed automatic does an efficient and effective job, but the Ascent’s continuously variable transmission is its powertrain’s weakest point.

The ascent may feel sudden or tend to increase when accelerating at lower speeds. Also, the transmission makes a whining noise when you start the engine. The noise, reminiscent of a dying torque converter on a traditional automatic, disappears once the vehicle reaches normal operating temperature.

Even though the transmission delivers power normally when it emits the disconcerting noise, it feels extremely out of place in a $50,000 SUV.

Which has a nicer cabin?

Subaru and Hyundai have done a great job with the Ascent and Palisade cabins.

Both cabins are carefully designed with excellent ergonomics and a great combination of useful storage.

Even though the Ascent’s interior is solidly built with high-quality materials, the Palisade’s cabin exudes a level of luxury that Subaru couldn’t match.

The Palisade stands out for its quiet and isolating ride, design features like airplane seat-style winged headrests, and creature comforts like the ergo-motion massaging driver’s seat.

Simply put, the Ascent Touring feels like a regular family SUV, with upgrades like Nappa leather seats and wood accents. On the other hand, the Palisade Calligraphy feels like a luxury SUV camera for the whole family.

Which SUV has more room for passengers?

The Palisade has one of the roomiest second rows in the segment, with 42.4 inches of legroom. That’s nearly four inches longer than the Ascent.

The Ascent’s third row has 31.7 inches of legroom, 0.3 inches more than the Palisade’s, which is about the same as a coach seat on an airplane. Adults can fit comfortably in both SUVs on short trips around town, but these seats are best reserved for children.

How does technology behave?

Both Ascent and Palisade have upgraded infotainment screens that come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Palisade’s 12.3-inch touchscreen runs Hyundai’s corporate infotainment system, while the Ascent’s 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen runs an updated version of Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system.

Both systems worked well and were easy to navigate. However, the Palisade felt more streamlined than the Ascent system and didn’t lag when using Apple CarPlay.

How much cargo can I carry?

Open the Palisade’s tailgate and you’ll find 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 0.4 cubic feet more than the Ascent.

The Palisade has 45.8 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row, 3.7 cubic feet more than the Ascent.

With the second row folded, the Palisade’s cargo capacity expands to 86.4 cubic feet, which is 13.6 cubic feet more than the Ascent.

The Hyundai Palisade is my winner because of its refined cabin, excellent tech content, and smooth V6 engine.

Of the two, I’d go with the Hyundai Palisade.

That’s high praise considering I own a 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring.

The Ascent is an excellent family SUV with a smartly designed cabin made with high quality materials. It’s also a great deal for consumers, with a lower starting price and standard all-wheel drive.

Even fully equipped, the Ascent is about $4,000 cheaper than the comparable Palisade.

The Hyundai Palisade is simply better.

I was simply blown away by its sleek design, refined cabin, superior cargo capacity, smooth V6 engine and advanced technological content.

The Palisade is truly a luxury SUV with a mass-market badge. I wouldn’t mind if Hyundai raised the price by $10,000 and slapped a premium Genesis badge on it.

And for that, I’m prepared to face the wrath of my fellow Subaru owners and declare the Hyundai Palisade the winner.