What is the best year for a Hyundai Palisade?

The Palisade's complaint counts have remained elevated across all model years. 2020 (504 complaints) was the worst, with gradual improvement since. The 2025 model (213 complaints, 10/10 safety, 9 severe) is the strongest year currently available as a used buy. Avoid early 2020-2021 production when possible — the trend is improving, but complaint levels across all years remain higher than most three-row rivals.

How much does Hyundai Palisade insurance cost?

Palisade insurance averages around $3,049/year — roughly $254/month. The highest insurance rate of any model in this dataset, well above the three-row class norm.

Is the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance cost data isn't available for the Kia Telluride, so a direct comparison isn't possible. Within the three-row class, the Palisade's $573/year sits exactly at the segment average.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Palisade?

Maintenance metrics are all at the segment average, which doesn't create a strong case for or against warranty on cost grounds alone. However, the Palisade's consistently elevated complaint counts — particularly around electronics and infotainment — make coverage worth considering for used buyers, as those systems carry significant repair costs outside of warranty.

Is the Subaru Outback expensive to maintain?

The Outback costs $607/year to maintain — $86 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 37% is above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 7 is below the class average of 8. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Above-average cost and repair profile across all metrics.

What is the best year for a Subaru Outback?

The 2023 Outback is the strongest used pick — 84 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety score, 9 severe issues. Strongly avoid 2018-2020, which generated 799, 1,025, and 889 complaints respectively, driven by widespread oil consumption and EyeSight system issues. The 2021-2022 range remained elevated. 2023 marks the clear turning point.

How much does Subaru Outback insurance cost?

Outback insurance averages about $1,964/year — roughly $164/month. One of the lower insurance rates in the compact class despite above-average maintenance costs.

Is the Subaru Outback or Honda Passport cheaper to maintain?

The Honda Passport is $86/year cheaper — $521 versus $607 for the Outback. The Passport also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7) and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 37%). The Outback's differentiators are its standard AWD and wagon body style, which are meaningful depending on use case.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Outback?

The 2018-2020 generation's documented complaint history makes extended warranty strongly recommended for those model years. Major repair probability of 12% and repair frequency of 37% are both above compact class averages. For 2023 and newer, the profile improves considerably — but the Outback's overall cost premium makes a repair fund or warranty worth planning for.

Hyundai Palisade vs Subaru Outback

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Palisade to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Subaru Outback if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Palisade	Subaru Outback
Annual maintenance	$573winner	$607
5-year total cost	$2,865winner	$3,035
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	12%winner
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$41,035	$34,995winner
Best years to buy	2022	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Palisade	Subaru Outback
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	355.3	287.6winner
Years to avoid	2024, 2025, 2026	2018, 2019, 2020
Value retained · 3 yr	73.3%	79.2%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	54.7%	61.4%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	43.2%	48.8%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Palisade	Subaru Outback
Engine	11.2%	8.1%winner
Electrical	4.7%winner	18.7%
ADAS	9.4%	7.0%winner
Brakes	14.6%	4.0%winner
Suspension	5.7%	—winner
Steering	2.0%winner	3.6%
Fuel system	—winner	1.3%
Tires/Wheels	0.7%winner	1.0%
Glass/Windows	14.1%winner	26.3%
Airbags	4.6%winner	5.4%
Lighting	—winner	3.3%
Seatbelt	14.0%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Hyundai Palisade	Subaru Outback
Avg annual premium	$3,049	$1,964winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Palisade

$573/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Outback

$607/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Palisade costs $573/year to maintain — exactly at the three-row segment average. Repair frequency of 37% is slightly below the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both match segment averages. Precisely average across all maintenance metrics — though its insurance cost stands well apart from the class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →