2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

When Subaru introduced the Ascent for the 2019 model year, the SUV seemed like a much-needed addition to their lineup. The absence of a three-row vehicle had been glaring, especially as such models had gained popularity over the preceding decade. Subaru had attempted a three-row model before—the Tribeca—but it was generally considered a half-hearted effort and widely criticized, mainly because of its poor front-end design.

The Ascent, however, looked exactly like what one would expect from a three-row Subaru SUV. It had elements reminiscent of the smaller Forester crossover SUV and the Outback wagon, but scaled up into a midsize SUV with three rows. Inside, the cabin design was akin to other Subaru models, which likely aimed to create a sense of familiarity and consumer continuity among the brand's popular models.

The Ascent was available in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring. The Standard trim came well-furnished with many driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, four USB ports, and remote keyless entry. The Premium trim added a larger 8-inch touchscreen, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, stain-resistant upholstery, remote start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and second-row climate controls. The Limited trim further upgraded the Ascent with push-button start, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, additional USB ports in the third row, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The top-tier Touring trim included second-row captain's chairs as an option at no extra cost, ventilated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy also aimed to set itself apart visually. It sported a distinct grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, puddle lamps on each side, extra lower body trim, unique 20-inch wheels, enhanced interior detailing, and a simulated suede interior headliner.

While some features like LED headlights became standard across all models for 2021, the Palisade Limited, which once sported unique aesthetics, now shared its looks with the Palisade SEL equipped with the Convenience or Premium option packages. However, the Calligraphy trim retained its opulence. Our test vehicle had a Beige over Navy Blue interior with light, striated simulated wood trim and quilted premium Nappa leather, combined with a suede headliner, making it feel much pricier than it actually was.

The Palisade's appearance was a subject of debate. Some loved its look for its uniqueness, while others, including some in our team, had mixed feelings. Yet, the luxurious Calligraphy trim undeniably attracted attention, making people think it cost more than it did.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, across all trim levels. This engine produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Its power was transmitted through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. While some may have desired a premium engine option, the standard engine was more than adequate for most driving conditions. It excelled in urban settings and was plenty capable on highways and during overtaking.

The Ascent’s ride prioritized comfort while still being responsive around corners, a significant advantage in the often inclement regions where Subarus are popular. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru’s X-Mode system, the Ascent performed admirably in snowy conditions and light off-roading scenarios. It was rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and came with a standard Trailer Stability Assist feature.

In comparison, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 291 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive were standard, with an optional all-wheel-drive system available. Drivers could choose between Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with AWD models adding a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved low-speed traction.

The EPA predicted the AWD Palisade to return 21 mpg in combined driving, a figure corroborated by our test vehicle. Hyundai tuned the Palisade for a firmer, more traditional SUV feel, focusing on reducing head-toss and improving body motion control. The Palisade's suspension, unlike its softer Kia Telluride counterpart, offered a communicative ride, informing the driver about road conditions without sacrificing comfort. While it wasn’t exactly fun to drive, it handled predictably and confidently, making daily drives enjoyable and undemanding.

With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, like the Ascent, the Palisade also included a new seven-pin trailer pre-wiring connector for 2021, replacing the previous four-pin design.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats. Folding the third row increased the cargo capacity to 47.5 cubic feet, and with all seats folded down, total cargo space reached 86.5 cubic feet. While this was generous for the midsize three-row SUV class, some rivals offered more space. For example, the Volkswagen Atlas offered up to 96.8 cubic feet, and the Chevrolet Traverse up to 98.2 cubic feet.

The Ascent came standard with a power liftgate, but a hands-free power liftgate was not available. Seating up to eight passengers in its base configuration, the Ascent provided plenty of headroom and legroom in the first two rows, while the third row could accommodate adults on shorter trips. The impressive 19 cupholders spread across all three rows, along with various trays and cubbies, ensured ample storage for all passengers.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats. With the third row folded down, cargo space expanded to 45.8 cubic feet. Folding down the second-row seats from the back of the vehicle offered up to 86.4 cubic feet of space, nearly matching the Ascent's total cargo capacity. The Palisade featured Hyundai’s hands-free Smart Liftgate, automatically opening when it detected the key fob, though this feature could be deactivated if preferred.

Inside, the Palisade's interior size, seating, and accessibility were praised for being nearly perfect. Equipped with eight-way power-adjustable seats for both the driver and passengers and heated and ventilated seats in the front and second rows, the Palisade's interior felt luxurious. The third row also provided separate climate controls and rear side-window sunshades.

The second-row captain’s chairs allowed easy access to the third row either by tilting and sliding forward at the touch of a button or by stepping between the chairs. Hyundai provided ample in-cabin storage, particularly in the front center console and door panels, with an extra storage tray under the console thanks to the electronic transmission controls.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured the StarLink infotainment system, with logical menu layouts and large icons for its touchscreens. Both the 6.5-inch and 8-inch screens were complemented by hard buttons, dials, and a home button for easy navigation. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two front USB ports, two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Optional tech upgrades included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems: an 8-inch touchscreen display and a 10.25-inch display. This year, both systems could pair two smartphones to Bluetooth simultaneously, though only the 8-inch setup provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10.25-inch setup required a wired connection for smartphone mirroring.

The Calligraphy trim boasted all premium tech features, including SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, Blue Link connected services, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. Despite lacking a WiFi hotspot, the voice-recognition technology worked well, and the speakers delivered excellent sound quality.

Additional tech features in the Palisade included wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system to broadcast the driver’s voice throughout the vehicle’s speakers, and a Quiet Mode to limit stereo volume to the front speakers. An available head-up display (HUD) showed essential information on the windshield, including blind-spot warnings, while a surround-view camera system aided parking and close-quarters maneuvering.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2021 Top Safety Pick+ thanks to its crash test results and Subaru’s comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, known as EyeSight. This system included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, along with a feature to alert the driver when the vehicle ahead had moved after being stopped. For 2021, the Ascent added standard automatic high beams and headlights that adjusted with steering angles.

Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Limited and Calligraphy trims offered more advanced safety features, such as an ultrasonic rear occupant alert, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, and a Safe Exit Assist system. Higher trims also included a Blind View Monitor that used cameras to aid in blind-spot monitoring, and versions with Blue Link automatically contacted emergency services after a collision.

Highway Drive Assist stood out in Hyundai’s safety offerings, providing smooth and sophisticated adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, though it was not intended for hands-free driving.