Hyundai Palisade vs. Kia Telluride

The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are both midsize SUVs that are great options for families. With similar seating capacities and tech features, it’s hard to tell at a glance which one represents the best value for your money. We’ve taken a closer look to determine which affordable SUV you’ll want this year.

Comparing These SUV Styles

The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride share similar exterior shapes and features. Both have classic boxy shapes that give them a more traditional SUV look. However, look closer and you’ll see the Kia clings to its roots while the Hyundai reinvents tradition.

The 2020 Kia Telluride has chunky lines and upright headlights. Inside, Kia has arranged its dashboard controls like a classic sedan. It’s made for drivers who may not want to learn a new setup.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is a little more daring, with gentle curves, fender flares, and eye-catching taillights. Its large, button-filled dash feels like a futuristic control panel from a pioneering spacecraft. It’s an SUV made for young families who are looking toward the future of vehicles.

Comparison of Engine Specs

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade and 2020 Kia Telluride both have the same powerful 3.8-liter V-6 engine under the hood. It produces a capable 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, so you won’t find it wanting while taking on hills or accelerating on the open road. Both Kia and Hyundai pair the engines with eight-speed automatic transmission systems, so little separates their performance. All-wheel drive is optional for both SUVs, but this system is ideal for extra traction on slippery roads rather than serious off-roading. Consider one of the all-wheel-drive options if you experience icy or snowy winters.

The Telluride is a few pounds heavier, so it is slightly more sluggish than the Palisade. However, you’d never notice the difference unless you compared them side by side. Car and Driver did just that and found the Telluride traveled from zero to 60 mph in 7 seconds. That’s just a shade slower than the Palisade, which did it in 6.8 seconds. The SUVs maintain the gap in the quarter-mile track. The Kia took 15.3 seconds to cross the finish line, while the Hyundai managed it in 15.1 seconds.

Performance

While both SUVs have power on their side, their rides are also incredibly comfortable. No matter what you choose, you’ll appreciate the smooth power delivery. Despite having V-6 engines, both SUVs have quiet cabins, even if you’re pushing these vehicles to their limits. The Telluride is the quieter vehicle, cruising at a 63-decibel level. It’s only 6 decibels louder inside the Palisade though, so you can have conversations on the move no matter which SUV you choose.

The Palisade is a little more confident and responsive on the road. Duncan Brady, MotorTrend’s associate online editor, noted, “The Telluride takes a set really well. There’s not much roll, but it does wallow a bit in quick transitions.” As for the Palisade, he said, “Body control is good for a vehicle this size, and steering is surprisingly tight for such a big boat.”

Both SUVs have identical brakes, so it’s unsurprising that their stopping distance is incredibly similar. The Palisade takes 129 feet to stop when traveling at 60 mph, while the Telluride does it in 126 feet. While the Kia stops slightly sooner, the Hyundai’s brake pedal feels tighter and more responsive.

SUV Seating

The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride both seat a maximum of seven people over three rows. Upscale upholstery and generous dimensions ensure you and your passengers feel comfortable no matter what you choose. The Telluride has an extra cubic foot of space, but that’s really negligible in such a spacious cabin.

Both SUVs treat second-row passengers to nearly as much headroom and legroom as the passengers in the front. The Palisade and Telluride also give drivers their choice of a three-seat bench or twin captain’s chairs in the second row. Predictably, things get a little cramped in the third rows of each SUV. However, that’s not unusual for seven-seat vehicles. They’re perfect for kids, but lanky teens are likely to start complaining. The sliding second row at least makes the third row more accessible.

Storage Capacity

Kia treats motorists to slightly more storage space than Hyundai, with 21 cubic feet behind its third-row seats. That’s 3 cubic feet more than the Palisade.

If that seems cramped, remember you can fold the second- and third-row seats down in both vehicles. The gap between the SUVs narrows when you take those rows out of action. Behind the second row, the Telluride offers 46 cubic feet, only slightly ahead of the Palisade’s 45.8 cubic feet. With both seating rows down, you can take advantage of Kia’s maximum 87 cubic feet storage capacity. That’s only marginally better than the Hyundai, which boasts 86.4 cubic feet of storage space behind its first row.

Hyundai Technology

The Telluride and Palisade have all the trappings of luxury vehicles. Their base versions both have similar infotainment systems accessible via 8-inch touch screens. These systems sync with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so it doesn’t matter what kind of mobile device you have. A larger 10.3-inch touch screen is optional in both vehicles.

Both OEMs also include smart active safety features for peace of mind. Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control are standard on these SUVs. For added confidence behind the wheel, both Kia and Hyundai let you invest in extra safety tech. Blind-spot monitors, head-up displays, and 360-degree camera systems are all optional extras.

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are similar vehicles with many of the same advantages. However, when you look a little closer, the small details Hyundai gets right give it a slight edge over the Telluride. Discover why the Palisade is a cut above when you take it for a test drive at Hiley Hyundai West in Fort Worth. Our friendly staff is always on hand with advice and the answers to your questions about this great family SUV.