Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade

Kia and Hyundai are known for making affordable and high-performing vehicles. Their midsize SUV options, the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are two of the absolute best you can find today. But which one is the better option? This is the ultimate comparison between the two sport utility vehicles.

Unsurpassed Affordable Luxury

When you get inside either of these vehicles, you might forget which one you are in without looking at a logo. They are designed similarly, and both have three rows to comfortably seat eight passengers. In both the Palisade and the Telluride, you can opt for captain’s chairs in the middle row, but you will only fit seven passengers inside.

In both vehicles, the front and middle rows are incredibly comfortable, with a substantial amount of legroom. However, the rear row is a bit tight in both and better suited for shorter passengers. What puts the Palisade slightly ahead of the Telluride is the optional power third-row seat, a real convenience when your shuffling seating and cargo space.

That being said, the Kia Telluride has slightly more interior space than the Palisade, with about .5 cubic feet of additional space. However, the way the space is distributed, you get more storage in the back of the Kia, making transporting bulky items a breeze.

But both of the cabins are nicely equipped and feel quite luxurious. You can’t get more for your money in any other SUV. Even the base trim in both the Telluride and Palisade surpass expectations.

However, if the infotainment system is important to you, then the Kia Telluride deserves a closer look. The 10.25-inch touchscreen comes standard, while you have to go up a trim level in the Palisade for the same feature. But, the Palisade offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You need a cord for this feature in the Telluride, though.

Easy on the Budget

While it is somewhat hard to do a direct head-to-head comparison because you can choose between four different trim levels for each one along with a myriad of options, the Kia Telluride takes a slight edge in pricing.

The Kia Telluride starts at $32,790. The Hyundai Palisade comes in just barely higher at $33,350. As you move through the trims and options, the benefit shifts between the two.

Outstanding Safety and Performance

Both of these vehicles are considered very safe. Both fall in the Great range by JD Power and Associates. And they both come with the same warranties. In either model, you get a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

These are both larger SUVs, so fuel economy isn’t something to write home about in either car. The Telluride gets slightly better with 20/26 mpg in the city and highway, while the Palisade gets 19/26 mpg in the city and highway.