The three-row SUV market is fiercely competitive, especially for families seeking ample seating and storage space, a comfortable ride, and advanced tech and safety features. So, when it comes to the Hyundai Palisade vs. Subaru Ascent, which large SUV is the ideal fit for your family?
Exterior Features
With its reptilian styling and standout design, the Hyundai Palisade commands attention. The bowed grille and fang-like LED lights give it a distinct appearance, while the honeycomb grille and silver trims strike a balanced look. Hyundai’s focus on functionality is evident throughout the Palisade’s conventional SUV styling.
On the other hand, the Subaru Ascent features a more understated, no-frills exterior that exudes a classic station wagon aesthetic. If you prefer a simple and practical look, the Ascent will suit you perfectly. However, if turning heads is a priority, it may not be the best choice.
Winner: It’s a tie. The decision depends on personal preference, whether you prefer a bold or classic design.
Performance and Fuel Economy
Under the hood, the Subaru Ascent houses a 2.4-liter turbo flat-4 engine paired with a continuous variable transmission (CVT) that distributes power to all four wheels. With 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, the Ascent offers sufficient power for highway driving. However, the powertrain can be noisy at full throttle.
Meanwhile, the Hyundai Palisade delivers a well-rounded performance suitable for a family SUV. It combines a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with an 8-speed transmission, generating 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Palisade offers both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options.
In terms of fuel economy, the Ascent holds an advantage with EPA ratings of 21 mpg/city, 27 mpg/highway, and 23 mpg/combined. The Palisade, on the other hand, achieves EPA ratings of 19 mpg/city, 26 mpg/highway, and 22 mpg/combined for front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive lowers these numbers slightly to 19 mpg/city, 24 mpg/highway, and 21 mpg/combined.
Winner: The Palisade takes the lead with a more powerful engine and transmission, but the Ascent wins in terms of fuel economy, especially with all-wheel drive.
Interior and Cargo Space
Hyundai deserves praise for its clever utilization of space and high-quality interior design, even in the base model. The driver controls are intuitive, and the clean and sophisticated dash layout adds to the overall appeal. Depending on the trim level, occupants can enjoy soft-touch materials or faux/genuine leather, with top-end trims featuring Nappa leather.
The Palisade comfortably seats eight passengers, offering 44.1 inches of legroom and 40.7 inches of headroom. The second-row configuration includes the option of a three-seat bench or two captain chairs, and heated and cooling upgrades are available. The third-row seats provide ample knee room for adults, although headroom is limited.
With regard to cargo space, the Palisade offers 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding down the third-row seats provides access to a total of 45.8 cubic feet of trunk space, while folding both the second and third-row seats expands the capacity to a generous 86.4 cubic feet. Additional storage options, such as 16 cupholders and a spacious center console storage bin, enhance convenience.
Conversely, the Ascent embraces Subaru’s function-over-form philosophy, resulting in a more minimalist interior design compared to the Palisade. The slightly skewed dash exemplifies this pragmatic approach. The higher-tier trims offer desirable cabin features, including heated seats, power-adjustable seats, and leather upholstery.
The Ascent accommodates seven to eight passengers, boasting 42.2 inches of legroom and 41.3 inches of headroom for front-seat occupants. Second-row passengers enjoy 38.6 inches of legroom, and the Premium, Limited, and Touring editions provide the option of captain chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven.
Behind the third-row seats, the Ascent offers 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the third-row seats expands the capacity to 47.5 cubic feet, while folding both the second and third-row seats provides a cavernous 86.5 cubic feet. Additionally, the Ascent cleverly utilizes Velcro straps in the cargo hold, providing extra storage space.
Winner: It’s a close call in terms of seating and cargo capacity, but the Palisade wins in visual appeal, depending on individual preferences.
Infotainment and Safety Features
The Ascent features a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Subaru’s Starlink system for in-car entertainment. Starting with the Premium edition, the infotainment system upgrades to an 8.0-inch unit. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth support are standard features, while the Touring trim boasts a Harman Kardon Quantum Surround Sound audio system, elevating the audio experience.
Regarding safety, the Ascent proudly holds the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ title and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. All trim options come equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance package, which includes lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist, and adaptive cruise control, among other features.
On the other hand, the Palisade offers an 8.0-inch touchscreen display as a standard feature on the SE and SEL trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are also standard. For the Limited edition, a larger 10.25-inch unit with navigation and traffic capabilities and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are included.
Similar to the Ascent, the Palisade boasts top safety ratings, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard and advanced safety features, such as blind-spot collision assist, rear cross-traffic assist, smart cruise control, and lane-keep assist, further enhance the Palisade’s safety credentials.
Winner: The Palisade excels with its more luxurious and feature-packed infotainment system, while both models are strong contenders in terms of safety.
Hyundai Palisade vs. Subaru Ascent: The Ultimate Showdown
To wrap up our comparison between the Hyundai Palisade and Subaru Ascent, let’s consider their starting prices. The base 2022 Palisade FWD is available for $33,150, while the base 8-passenger 2022 Ascent starts at $32,295 MSRP.
While the Palisade boasts superior performance, comfort, and desirable features, the Ascent offers better fuel economy and off-road capabilities.
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Hyundai Palisade vs. Subaru Ascent: Which 3-Row SUV Reigns Supreme?
In the battle of the Hyundai Palisade vs. Subaru Ascent, making a definitive choice may be challenging. The Palisade excels in terms of performance and interior comfort, whereas the Ascent shines in fuel economy and off-road capabilities.
Ultimately, your decision should be driven by your specific needs and preferences. Take both contenders for a test drive, and consider factors such as design, seating capacity, cargo space, infotainment features, and safety ratings. With careful consideration, you’ll be on the path to finding the ideal 3-row SUV for your family.
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