Telluride HybridKia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade
Two SUVs, Two Personalities
Three rows. Eight seats. A hybrid option that pulls 35 mpg combined. The midsize family SUV class has rarely been this packed with talent, and two of the loudest names in it share a corporate parent and a lot of DNA underneath.
- The Kia uses a turbo four-cylinder making 274 horsepower, while the Hyundai sticks with a 287-horsepower V6 for its standard gas powertrain.
- Both SUVs offer the same 329-horsepower hybrid setup with up to 35 mpg on the most fuel-friendly trim.
- Exterior dimensions match almost exactly, but cargo numbers and trim ladders differ in ways that matter.
The Telluride and Palisade have always been close cousins. They ride on shared platforms, share their hybrid hardware, and chase the same family looking for room, comfort, and three rows of seats without crossing into luxury pricing. For the latest model years, both have been redesigned with bigger cabins, first-time hybrid options, and serious tech upgrades.
So how do you choose between them? It usually comes down to small differences in styling, trim variety, and how each brand frames its flagship models.
Comparing Power and Efficiency
The current Telluride drops the old V6 in favor of a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That extra torque shows up early in real-world driving, especially when you’re loaded down with kids and weekend gear. Towing maxes out at 5,000 pounds with the turbo gas engine.
Hyundai went a different direction. The Palisade keeps a 3.5-liter V6 producing 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. EPA ratings land at 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined with front-wheel drive. AWD versions dip slightly to 18/24/20.
Both SUVs share a 329-horsepower turbo-hybrid that’s the same under the skin. On the Kia side, the Hybrid EX FWD is rated at 35 mpg combined. The Palisade Hybrid posts 33 city and 35 highway in a similar setup. If fuel economy sits at the top of your list and you still want three rows, this is where each one shines.
Side-by-Side Look at the Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade
| Feature | Kia Telluride | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Engine | 2.5L Turbo I-4 | 3.5L V6 |
| Standard Horsepower | 274 hp | 287 hp |
| Standard Torque | 311 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Hybrid Output | 329 hp / 339 lb-ft | 329 hp / 339 lb-ft |
| Best Hybrid MPG | 35 combined (EX FWD) | 35 highway |
| Max Towing (Gas) | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Max Towing (Hybrid) | 4,500 lbs | 4,000 lbs |
| Cargo Behind 3rd Row | 22.3 cu ft | 19.1 cu ft |
| Maximum Cargo | 89.3 cu ft | 86.7 cu ft |
| Seating Capacity | 7 or 8 | 7 or 8 |
| Off-Road Trim | X-Pro (9.1″ ground clearance) | XRT Pro |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10-year/100,000-mile | 10-year/100,000-mile |
Cabin, Cargo, and Family Practicality
Both SUVs sit within a hair of each other on size, riding on a 116.9-inch wheelbase and stretching 199.2 inches overall. Each seats seven or eight depending on whether you pick a second-row bench or captain’s chairs.
Cargo is where the Kia inches ahead. The Telluride offers 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.7 with that row folded, and a max of 89.3 cubic feet. Palisade owners get 19.1, 46.3, and 86.7 in the same configurations. It’s a small gap, but if you haul gear for road trips or sports practice, those extra cubes add up.
Inside, both cabins feature dual 12.3-inch screens. Kia runs the new ccNC system with Netflix and YouTube streaming, dual wireless phone chargers, and a 12-inch head-up display option. Hyundai counters with available ventilated second-row seats, a 14-speaker Bose audio system on top trims, and a dual-camera dash cam.
Off-Road Trims and Towing Specs
Hyundai added a fresh XRT Pro trim that’s AWD-only, with all-terrain tires, an electronic rear limited-slip differential, and a tougher exterior look. Kia has its own answer in the X-Pro SX Prestige, which raises ground clearance from 7.4 to 9.1 inches, adds wider all-terrain tires, and includes an electronic limited-slip diff plus multi-terrain AWD modes for snow, sand, and mud.
Towing tops out at 5,000 pounds for both V6 and turbo gas models. The hybrids trail their gas siblings a bit: 4,500 pounds for the Telluride and 4,000 pounds for the Palisade.
Picking Between Two Strong Three-Row SUVs
Choosing between the Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade often comes down to small details rather than big spec gaps. If you want more cargo room, sharper boxy styling, and a longer trim ladder topping out in real off-road territory, the Telluride makes a strong case. If you’d rather have a V6 with a touch more horsepower at base trim and a luxury-leaning Calligraphy at the top, the Palisade earns a hard look.
Both back you with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, both offer hybrids that hit 35 mpg, and both look great in a driveway. Drive them back-to-back if you can, because numbers only tell part of the story for a family SUV.
See the Telluride in Person at Ray Skillman Northeast Kia
At Ray Skillman Northeast Kia on Shadeland Avenue, we keep a wide selection of new Telluride trims on the lot, from the well-equipped LX up through the X-Pro SX Prestige and the new Telluride Hybrid. Spec sheets only go so far, so we invite you to come walk around the latest Telluride, climb into the third row, and take one out on the road. Our team can talk through trim differences, hybrid versus turbo gas, and which configuration fits your driveway, your commute, and your weekend plans. Whether you’re driving in from Carmel, Fishers, Greenfield, or anywhere in greater Indianapolis, we’d love to help you find the right fit.
