The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are often compared together because they are both Korean SUVs with similar features and characteristics – more so, they are products of the same parent company. Both SUVs offer three-row seating and provide sufficient space for up to seven passengers – also, it offers roomy cargo.
It’s quite interesting to compare Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade; these SUVs are incredibly affordable, and yet comes with impressive in-car technologies in some luxury models.
This article clearly points out the distinctive differences between these similar SUVs, so you can make a perfect choice between the two.
Let’s get started!
Kia Telluride Overview

The 2020 Word Car Winner, Kia Telluride, is a super-classy – but not luxury – mid-size SUV built for everyone that loves driving classy SUVs. It is off-road ready and also delivers outstanding performance across different terrains. Kia Telluride was announced in 2019, and the first-ever model was launched in 2020.
Built on the platform of a mid-size crossover SUV, the Telluride offers three-row seating and shares quite a lot of aspects with its sister model, the Hyundai Palisade.
The Kia Telluride is named after a US county of the same name, located in Colorado State. So far, the Telluride is the largest-ever Kia SUV made in the United States.
Hyundai Palisade Overview

Manufactured by the Korean automobile brand Hyundai since late 2018, the Palisade is the current-largest SUV offering from the Asian manufacturer.
The Hyundai Palisade is classified as a mid-size crossover SUV, but in the real sense, it’s pretty large, more like a full-size SUV. It offers three-row seating with enough cargo space for your luggage.
Basically, the Palisade is built to replace the Maxcruz model (also called Santa Fe XL outside of South Korea); it launched as a flagship ride with quite a ton of impressive features.
The Hyundai Palisade comes with many similar specifications and technologies as you’d find in its sister mode, Kia Telluride. The name Palisade was curled from Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, CA.
Kia Telluride Vs Hyundai Palisade: Comparison
Model/Feature | Kia Telluride | Hyundai Palisade |
Seat rows | Three | Three |
Engine Options | 3.8L V6 (Gasoline) | 3.5L V6, 3.8L V6, 2.2L I4 (Diesel) |
Transmission | 8-speed A8LF1 automatic | 8-speed A8LF1/A8LF2 automatic |
Trim Levels | LX, S, EX, SX, X-Line, and X-Pro | Base SE, SEL, XRT, and Limited |
Optional Upgrades | SX Prestige Package and Premium Package | Convenience Package, Convenience, and Premium Package |
Rating (Consumer Reports) | 97 out of 100 | 87 out of 100 |
Price | $30,000 – $44,000 | $31,000 – $44,000 |
Note: This comparison is mainly based on the 2022 Kia Telluride and the 2022 Hyundai Palisade.
Standard Features
The Telluride and Palisade come with the same standard features on the base models. Both SUVs come standard with the following: Blind Spot System, Lane Keep Assist, Cruise Control, Climate Control, Proximity Keyless Entry, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Notwithstanding, the Palisade comes with a few other standard features that are not standard on the Telluride base trim.
Engine and Fuel Economy
There are three engine options available for the Palisade – two gasoline options and one diesel option (3.5L V6, 3.8L V6, 2.2L I4 (Diesel)) – while the Telluride comes with only a 3.8L V6 (gasoline) engine on all models.
The 3.8L V6 engine offered by both rides hits 291HP @6000rpm with 262lb-ft of torque @5200rpm. However, somehow, the Palisade manages to offer slightly better fuel economy than the Telluride – offering 19 City/26 (high-way) as against the Telluride’s 20 city/26 (high-way).
Exterior Design
Well, there’s a slight difference in how these rides look. The newer Telluride models look like a Range Rover, while the Palisade looks more like the GMC Acadia.
That notwithstanding, both rides are equipped with LED headlights and heated side mirrors. The front and rear wheels are 18-inch on both rides.
Interior Design
The Palisade offers cloth seats as the standard option, which is not so admirable compared to the premium synthetic material used for the Kia Telluride. Both rides come with power windows and locks and second-row trunk pass-through.
The infotainment system features a 12.3-inch screen with pretty many technologies integrated into it. Basically, the interior of Kia Telluride beats that of the Palisade.
Warranty
Bothered about the warranty? Both rides are offered with 5 year/60,000 miles warranty from the manufacturers. The drivetrain warranty is 10 years/100,000 miles.
Well, these two rides typically last for over 250,000 miles or ten years with proper maintenance and care. Kia and Hyundai are notably among the best automobile companies that manufacture reliable rides.
Safety Features
Talking of safety features, there are lots of them on these cars; the automatic start/stop engine, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, safe exit assist, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a pre-collision warning system, and a braking system with pedestrian detection.
The automatic start/stop engine feature is quite impressive and runs smoothly on both vehicles. Other impressive features include an automatic liftgate with adjustable speed and height, rear window shades, wireless phone charging, underfloor rear cargo storage, and more.
However, some of these features are unavailable on the base model – unless you get an add-on package.
Price
Of course, price plays crucial role when shopping for a new car. The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are offered at almost the same price range – $30,000 to $44,000 – the major difference is the all-wheel drive add-on package.
If you’re going for the AWD package, you’d be spending an additional $2,000 if you choose the Telluride and $1,750 if you’d pick the Palisade.
Notwithstanding, the Telluride offers a cutting-edge 10.25-inch touchscreen on its base trim (as a standard feature), while you’d be going for the second-trim level of the Palisade if you want such a big screen infotainment console.
Space and Seating
For cargo space, the Kia Telluride offers more. When you fold the third row on Kia Telluride, you’re getting up to 87 cubic feet of storage, but with the Palisade, you’d get 86.4 cubic feet, pretty much the same anyways.
In contrast, with the third-row seat unfolded, the Telluride offers 46 cubic feet of cargo space, and the Palisade offers 45.8 cubic feet.
Both SUVs can comfortably contain up to eight passengers and feature a standard second-row bench seat. You can have the bench seat changed for a second-row captain’s chair, but when you do that, the seating space would be for seven passengers.
The seats on these rides are well-cushioned – with heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is Bigger, the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade?
The Kia Telluride is slight – just a very few cents – bigger than the Palisade. While the Telluride offers 87 cubic feet of free space when the third row is folded, the Palisade offers 86.4 cubic feet, which is almost insignificant.
Which Cost More, Telluride or Palisade?
Both SUVs are sold at almost the same price; the base trims start at $32,500, while some premium models/trims are up to $44,000 for both Telluride and Palisade. Notwithstanding, depending on your location, you may find the Telluride listed at a higher price than the Palisade or vice versa.
Is the Telluride Quieter Than The Palisade?
Based on user reviews and reports, the Telluride feels better to drive in terms of handling and balance, but the Palisade (in AWD mode) is more quieter. Well, both SUVs are closely similar in all ramifications.
This Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade aims at the similarities and differences between these two trendy rides from the popular Asian automobile manufacturers, Kia and Hyundai.
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