The Subaru Ascent and Hyundai Palisade are direct competitors in the midsize 3-row SUV class but have decidedly different personalities. The Ascent has the quirky and rugged personality you’d expect from the Subaru brand, while the Palisade is on the more refined side of non-luxury SUVs but can still hold its own on snowy roads and in mild off-roading.
Let’s take a closer look at these SUVs and find the right one for your family.
2025 Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent does an excellent job taking its brand’s quirky personality and packaging it as a midsize 3-row SUV. Maybe you love your Outback and wish it had more seats, or maybe you’re new to the brand. Either way, the Subaru Ascent has much to offer anyone who needs a roomy SUV that’s rugged, safe, and affordable.
Subaru Ascent Highlights
Standard AWD: The Ascent isn’t the fastest, the largest, or the most nimble midsize SUV, but when road conditions become difficult, it shines. With standard all-wheel drive, plenty of ground clearance, and X-Mode with hill descent control, it’s ready to go rain or shine — and especially snow.
No sounds of silence: The Ascent’s cabin is a nice place to be. It’s comfortable and roomy, with plenty of technology to improve your drive and plenty of sound-deadening material. This makes the available Harman Kardon sound system, with its 13 speakers and a subwoofer pumping out 792 watts of clear, crisp audio — the sounds of your choice.
Safety first: This gets harped on a lot regarding the Ascent because it’s a Subaru, but it is a safe vehicle. With a 5-Star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), this is a safe SUV, and the value of getting what you pay for cannot be underappreciated.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Ascent models for sale near you.
2025 Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade is one of our favorite midsize 3-row SUVs among some very tough competitors that have been around longer. This well-rounded family hauler has a roomy and comfortable interior, modern tech features, and the best warranty in its class. Notably, it’s in the final model year of its current generation, with an all-new model on the way for 2026.
Hyundai Palisade Highlights
Better resale value: The Subaru Ascent has good resale value, but the Hyundai Palisade’s is even better, nearing the top of its class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.
User-friendly tech: Few things are more frustrating than trying to wend your way through a series of menus on a small touchscreen. Fortunately, that’s not a problem with the massive 12.3-inch screen in the Palisade.
Class-leading warranty: Hyundai’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty offer you peace of mind — for a decade. Hyundai also throws in a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Palisade models for sale near you.
Similarities
These two SUVs are pretty similar in price and size. They also have similar complements of safety and infotainment tech features.
Pricing
New 2025 Subaru Ascent Prices
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Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$40,330 |
TBD |
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$43,730 |
TBD |
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$47,530 |
TBD |
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$48,530 |
TBD |
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$50,530 |
TBD |
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$51,415 |
TBD |
New 2025 Hyundai Palisade Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$38,675 |
TBD |
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$41,425 |
TBD |
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$44,525 |
TBD |
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$46,025 |
TBD |
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$50,075 |
TBD |
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$52,475 |
TBD |
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$55,975 |
TBD |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Subaru Ascent vehicles and New 2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Subaru Ascent | 2025 Hyundai Palisade | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 3.8-liter 6-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 260 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 277 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 20 city/26 hwy/22 combined | 19 city/26 hwy/22 combined mpg |
| Also Available | FWD, AWD | |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 inches | 114.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 196.8 inches | 196.7 inches |
| Width | 76.0 inches | 77.8 inches |
| Height | 71.6 inches | 68.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.0 feet | 38.7 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.2 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.0 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 36.2 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.2 inches | 44.1 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.6 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 31.7 inches | 31.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.1 inches | 61.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 60.3 inches | 60.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 57.0 inches | 55.2 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 17.8/43.5/75.6 cubic feet | 18.0/45.8/86.4 cubic feet |
Conclusion
We like that the Subaru Ascent has standard all-wheel drive and a tiny bit more legroom and shoulder room in the third row. However, for most families, the Hyundai Palisade is a better buy. It’s priced right, feels like a more expensive car inside, boasts more cargo space, and has an unbeatable warranty. That said, either is more than suitable for safe and dependable family transportation.
