2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its familiar aesthetic, with the Wilderness trim receiving a refreshed front fascia and new LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding provided a striking contrast to the Autumn Green Metallic paint of the Touring XT model, a color that was both unique and appealing. The Outback's various trims offered different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim featuring the most chrome, which was tastefully executed. Wheel designs varied by trim, with standard black 17-inch alloy wheels and options for larger sizes and different finishes. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a level of luxury unexpected from Subaru, while other trims featured a mix of leather, synthetic leather, and cloth seating options.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold design, especially after the 2023 refresh that introduced a more angular and technical look. The SUV's balanced forms and upscale appearance made it seem like a bargain at its price point. Inside, even the base SE trim offered a modern and upscale feel, with higher trims like the Calligraphy featuring premium leather, artificial suede, and other luxury touches. The Palisade was equipped with thoughtful details such as USB charging ports in the front seatbacks, smartphone storage pockets, and drink holders accessible to children. The seven trim levels offered a range of features and prices, with the Calligraphy trim providing a particularly luxurious experience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were upgraded to a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Lineartronic CVT were standard, with the CVT simulating eight distinct gears. The Outback's ride was comfortable, aided by its suspension and wheel design, and the Wilderness trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and it averaged 22 mpg in combined driving. Despite its age, the Palisade's ride and handling were impressive, with a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer feel on highways. The powertrain was smooth and refined, with the V6 engine providing ample power and a pleasant sound. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was lower than expected, but the driving experience was enjoyable, with well-calibrated steering and brakes.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered generous interior space despite its sleek design. It provided more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, though its cargo space was slightly less. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat starting with the Premium trim. Higher trims offered additional features like heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof were available on higher trims, and the roof rails with retractable cross bars added practicality.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade accommodated adults in all three rows, with our test vehicle featuring a seven-passenger setup with second-row captain's chairs. The Calligraphy trim offered Nappa leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver's seat. The second-row seats were heated and ventilated, with window shades for sun protection. The third row was also heated, a rare feature, and provided USB-C ports and air vents. The Palisade's storage solutions were thoughtful, with adjustable cupholders and smartphone trays. The Smart Liftgate was a convenient feature, and the cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 86.4 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2024 Subaru Outback's technology included a mix of old-school and modern features. The Touring trim was the only one with a CD player, and USB-C and USB-A ports were available on all but the base trim. The top-trim model featured an 11.6-inch infotainment screen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity becoming wireless from the Premium trim. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with some hard buttons for essential functions. Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM were standard, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available on most trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology, while slightly dated in design, was fully functional and feature-rich. The test vehicle had a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The Palisade offered two-device Bluetooth support, wireless charging, SiriusXM, and Bluelink+ services. The voice recognition system was effective, and the Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound. Additional features included a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were available on higher trims, and the Touring trim featured a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features under the Hyundai SmartSense umbrella, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera, Blind Spot View Monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024, but a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test affected its 2025 rating. The NHTSA awarded the Palisade five stars for frontal impact and four stars for rollover resistance.