How Does Hyundai Palisade Compare to Kia Telluride?
Hyundai Palisade vs. Kia Telluride
General Comparison
There is seemingly no shortage of large 3-row crossovers to pick from in today’s automotive marketplace. Two of the entries in particular, the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, have been extremely well-received by buyers in this segment. As a result, it can be difficult to decide between these two vehicles when picking a family crossover. While they offer similar features, there are some key differences to consider that position the Palisade as a leader in its segment and ahead of the Telluride.
Verdict: The better overall value is found in Hyundai Palisade, thanks to its comprehensive warranty and affordable starting price with many safety and convenience features.
| 2025 Hyundai Palisade | 2025 Kia Telluride | |
|---|---|---|
| AWD Base MSRP | $38,800 | $41,090 |
| AWD MPG (city/hwy/combined) | 19/24/22 | 18/23/20 |
| Acoustic Rear Side Glass | Available | Not Available |
| Available Heated 3rd row seats | Yes | No |
| Available Power-folding 3rd row seat | Yes | No |
| Standard Towing Capacity, lbs. | 5,000 | 5,000 |
Design and Features
Palisade features a sleek and modern design, with a focus on luxury and sophistication. Telluride’s look is more focused on ruggedness and adventure. This is true of not only the exterior, but the interior as well. Both are well-equipped with tech features like fully digital dash displays, onboard navigation with satellite radio, and available wireless charging. Both also offer similar luxury features like heated and ventilated front and second-row seats and Nappa leather upholstery.
Palisade elevates its offerings with a few more luxury options than Telluride offers. Palisade offers a push-button shifter, freeing up center console space. Acoustic rear side glass is available on higher Palisade trims, which takes its already quiet ride down a few decibels for more relaxed highway travel. Passengers in Palisade’s third-row on higher trims are also treated to available heated seats, so every passenger can warm up on chilly mornings. Or if you are hauling cargo instead of people, you can simply hide the Palisade’s 3rd-row using the available power-folding function. These features are not available on Telluride.
Verdict: The Hyundai Palisade wins in the features and design category with its sophisticated, modern looks and additional luxury and convenience features.
Performance and Efficiency
Both Palisade and Telluride are powered by 3.8L V6 engines, and feature available all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems that add traction in slippery and wet conditions. AWD is particularly popular in this segment for security and peace of mind in carrying families. Importantly, Palisade offers the security of AWD at a lower starting pricepoint than Telluride does.
Further, Palisade is rated for better estimated fuel economy than Telluride when equipped with AWD: 22 mpg combined, versus 20 mpg combined. These savings can add up over time and contribute to a lower cost of ownership for Hyundai Palisade. This is further enhanced by Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty, including 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage.
Verdict: The Hyundai Palisade offers more value for those seeking AWD at the initial purchase and during ownership.
Conclusion
Kia Telluride is a strong contender in 3-row family SUVs, but the Hyundai Palisade has shown it is able to deliver a more refined, technologically advanced, feature-packed and value-oriented driving experience. Whether you are looking for entry level trims or the most luxury possible, Palisade has the edge over Telluride. Its stylish design, advanced features, and competitive pricing combine to lock in its position as a top choice in this class. Cars.com also agreed and named Palisade the winner in a comparison of 3-row SUVs for 2024.
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