Mitsubishi Outlander vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander was available in ES, SE, and SEL trims, offering both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. Its exterior design was distinctive, featuring a unique lighting arrangement with a thin upper eyebrow functioning as a daytime running light and a large, square headlight below, highlighted by a chrome bezel. Despite subtle changes to the front end, such as a smoother upper grille and modified diffuser, the Outlander retained its bold and somewhat polarizing appearance. Inside, the top SEL trim offered a more refined experience with quilted leather seats, soft-touch surfaces, and Yamaha speaker faces inspired by traditional Japanese patterns. However, some plastic elements attempted to mimic high-end materials, which was typical for a mid-tier crossover.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was offered in four trims: SEL, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy. Each trim exuded style and presence, with the base SEL trim featuring 18-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille framed by LED projector headlights. The Palisade's profile included body-color, heated side mirrors, with higher trims adding power-folding and auto-dimming features. The rear design was equally striking, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name and LED taillights wrapping around the corners. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with its thoughtful design and craftsmanship. The SEL trim came standard with H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and three-stage heating elements. Higher trims offered additional features like Nappa leather upholstery and integrated driver's seat memory settings, creating a comfortable and luxurious cabin environment.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured an AWD system developed from Mitsubishi's rally racing success in the 1980s and 1990s. Although the test drive didn't involve low-traction surfaces, the Outlander demonstrated stability on curvy roads. The 2025 model's suspension was retuned for improved comfort and reduced body roll, with driving modes for various conditions. However, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, felt underpowered, especially when paired with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Outlander's fuel economy was rated at 26 miles per gallon combined, falling short of competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The plug-in hybrid version offered more power, with 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, along with a fuel rating of 64 MPGe and 38 miles of all-electric range.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid defied the stereotype of sluggish hybrids with its impressive performance. It featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and next-generation hybrid system contributed to its dynamic performance. The Palisade Hybrid's powertrain optimized power distribution for improved handling and fuel efficiency. Inside, the cabin was remarkably quiet, thanks to noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass. The steering was sharp and responsive, while the pedals felt slightly soft. Overall, the Palisade Hybrid offered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander included a third row of seating, but it was only suitable for small children due to its limited 18.7 inches of legroom. With the third row in place, cargo space was less than 11 cubic feet, but folding it down increased storage to 30 cubic feet. The driver's seat featured easy-to-reach physical controls for the HVAC system, and the top-line model offered heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. However, the cup holders were shallow, causing issues with larger bottles during braking.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 86.7 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others like the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90. The second-row legroom was slightly reduced due to the battery's placement, but it remained competitive. The third row provided 32.1 inches of legroom, with the Calligraphy trim offering 33.6 inches. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and multiple USB-C power outlets. It came standard with seating for seven, with an option for a second-row bench to accommodate eight passengers. The interior featured numerous storage solutions, including a center console with a rubberized cargo space and small shelves for personal items.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a new Yamaha premium sound system with eight speakers, expandable to a 12-speaker, 1,650-watt system in upper trims. The system offered customizable sound modes and volume adjustments based on speed and ambient noise. The Outlander came with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a physical volume knob. Upper trims included a digital gauge cluster, rear camera mirror, and head-up display. Mitsubishi Connect offered remote services, including starting heated seats and defrosters, with a subscription fee after the trial period.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It supported HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Palisade Hybrid featured a Passenger Talk intercom system and a 14-speaker Bose stereo in higher trims. A wireless charging pad was standard, though it lacked ventilation. The Calligraphy trim included a built-in dashcam with front and rear views. The Palisade Hybrid introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the engine was off, provided the battery had sufficient charge.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander offered a limited suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Outlander received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating for headlights from the IIHS. Previous models received varying ratings for crashworthiness and front crash prevention.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert. During testing, the Palisade's ADAS performed reliably. At the time of writing, crash test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available for the 2026 Palisade Hybrid.