Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Palisade
What's the difference?

Subaru Forester

$43,490 - $55,990

2026 price

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Hyundai Palisade

$66,800 - $93,400

2026 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Subaru Forester

2026 Hyundai Palisade

By Marcus Craft

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

—

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

—

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

—

6.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Nice interior
Refined on-road
Suitably capable off-road

Refined ride and handling
Timeless design
Easy to manoeuvre

Dislikes

Sluggish acceleration
Needs all-terrain tyres
Intrusive driver alert system

Rear bench-style seats are firm
Safety systems sometimes clunky
More expensive than rivals

2026 Subaru Forester Summary

The sixth-generation of Subaru’s Forester has landed and while the new hybrid versions constitute the biggest news of this batch, the petrol-only variants should not be ignored.

The five-seat mid-size SUV has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder 'boxer' engine, Subaru’s well-regarded 'symmetrical all-wheel drive' system and some new changes inside and out.

So, does the top-spec Touring offer the best value-for-money in the petrol Forester line-up?

Read on.

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2026 Hyundai Palisade Summary

If you’re in the market for an eight-seat family SUV, the Hyundai Palisade has probably already crossed your radar. But now there’s a twist. Hyundai has taken this well-established large SUV and given it a hybrid powertrain.

That puts it up against familiar rivals like the Toyota Kluger GXL Hybrid and Kia Sorento Sport+ Hybrid which are both strong players in the family-friendly space. The version we’re looking at for this review is the mid-spec Elite and we're family-testing it to see if the new hybrid powertrain makes for a winning combo.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Subaru Forester 2026 Hyundai Palisade

Verdict

The MY26 Subaru Forester packs plenty of punch in terms of standard features, a roomy and functional interior and overall driveability. Sure, it’s not the most exciting vehicle to drive on- or off-road but to get stuck on that is to miss the point entirely. This is a decent all-rounder with a solid background and an AWD system that long ago set the gold standard for vehicles of this type.

In a tough mid-size SUV market segment aimed more at those intent on driving through car parks rather than adventuring through national parks, the Forester offers greater versatility than most and should not be ignored.

Verdict

The new hybrid powertrain for the Hyundai Palisade is a welcome addition for families looking for an efficient three-row SUV that doesn’t drive like a brick and looks good at the school pick up or client lunch. Overall, the Palisade remains a solid, all-round package that deserves praise and the eighth seat is an added bonus.

Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Palisade What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Palisade
What's the difference?