2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim that gave the SUV a sporty appearance. This trim level included black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The seats were wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, which was available only in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. While the blacked-out treatment added a sporty look, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making it less comfortable on hot days.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade received a styling update that gave it a more commanding presence. The new front fascia featured bolder strokes, new headlights, and a squared-off grille. LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights were standard across the lineup, with LED taillights standard on SEL and up. The top Calligraphy trim was distinguished by premium rear accent lighting, body-color bumpers, and a unique grille of glossy black and chrome. The new XRT trim featured a dark grille, roof cross rails, and black 20-inch wheels. The interior of the Calligraphy trim was stylish, with premium Nappa leather seats and a dual-pane sunroof that brightened up the cabin.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent had an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, and it averaged 20.5 mpg during testing. The engine's flat-four layout provided a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing the Ascent to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Ascent's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance made it capable off-road. However, the advanced adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement, making the Ascent feel unstable at times.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This made the Palisade more powerful than several competitors, including the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The eight-speed automatic transmission could be manipulated with paddle shifters, and AWD was a $1,900 option. The Palisade's AWD system, HTRAC, was capable on muddy off-road courses. The Palisade could tow up to 5,000 pounds and had a dedicated Tow Mode for AWD models. Fuel economy for the Palisade was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined for FWD models, and 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could seat up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but third-row comfort was limited for taller adults. The Ascent Onyx Edition included features like triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened to nearly a 90-degree angle. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade could comfortably seat seven or eight people, with 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third. The Palisade offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.4 cubic feet with all but the front-row seats folded flat. The Palisade featured HVAC vents in all three rows, two cupholders per person, and a center console with a phone holder and space to stow a bag. The layout of physical buttons and knobs was compact and intuitive, and automatic dual-zone climate control was standard in SEL and up.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with available Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a new 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system that was standard on all trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available in SEL models and standard in Limited and Calligraphy. The Palisade also offered a 4.2-inch color driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. An in-car intercom and rear-seat quiet mode were available, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard on all trims. The Palisade was the first vehicle to get Digital Key 2 Touch, which worked with both Android and Apple devices.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and received five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. However, the system's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, automatic high-beam assist, and available blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing, but it was expected to maintain its predecessor's Top Safety Pick+ rating. The Palisade came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping and lane-following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard. The Palisade also featured navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, intelligent speed limit assist, and Highway Driving Assist I and II. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard on most trims.