The 2023 Kia Telluride and the 2023 Hyundai PALISADE are two of today’s most popular and highly rated midsize SUVs, known for their spacious interiors, impressive performance, and advanced features. While these corporate cousins share the same platform and many components, some notable differences set them apart. This comprehensive comparison will examine Telluride and PALISADE across critical categories.
Exterior Design
The Kia Telluride and Hyundai PALISADE make strong first impressions with their bold and distinctive exterior designs. The Telluride has a more rugged, boxy appearance with its upright stance, prominent grille, and squared-off wheel arches. It projects a sense of strength and capability, ready for any adventure. It also features a broader range of nine exterior colors, including Jungle Green, Wolf Gray, and Dawning Red.
The PALISADE has a more elegant and refined aesthetic. Its large cascading grille, slim LED headlights, and sculpted body lines give it a premium, almost luxurious presence on the road. Six exterior colors are available, including Abyss Black Pearl, Moonlight Cloud, and Typhoon Silver.
The two SUVs closely match in terms of exterior dimensions. The Telluride measures 196.9 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and 68.9 inches tall, while the PALISADE is 196.7 inches long, 77.8 inches wide, and 68.9 inches tall. Both have the same length wheelbase at 114.2 inches.
Interior Comfort and Space
Step inside the Kia Telluride and Hyundai PALISADE, and you’ll find spacious, well-appointed cabins with room for the whole family. Both SUVs can seat up to eight passengers with the standard second-row bench seat or seven with the available second-row captain’s chairs. The first and second rows offer ample head and legroom for adults, while the third row is best suited for kids or shorter trips around Corinth, Texas.
The PALISADE has a slight edge in third-row space, offering 31.4 inches of legroom compared to the Telluride’s 31.0 inches. The Telluride edges it for cargo capacity with 87.0 cubic feet, with both rear rows folded, compared to 86.4 cubic feet in the PALISADE.
Both SUVs use high-quality materials throughout the cabin, but the PALISADE feels a bit more upscale, especially in its top trims. It offers luxurious touches such as quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a suede headliner, and matte wood trim. The Telluride’s interior is still very cozy, with soft-touch surfaces, leather upholstery, and brushed metal accents, but it doesn’t quite match the PALISADE’s premium feel.
Performance and Powertrain Options
Under the hood, the Kia Telluride and Hyundai PALISADE feature a 3.8-liter V-6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This smooth and refined engine provides strong acceleration and passing power, getting both SUVs from zero to 60 mph in around 7 seconds. The V-6 has an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth and timely shifts.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is available on higher trims, while front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on the Telluride and PALISADE. The AWD system provides extra traction and stability in slippery or light off-road situations. SUVs offer selectable drive modes that adjust throttle response, transmission mapping, and steering weight for different driving conditions.
The fuel economy for both SUVs is similar. The Telluride has a rating of 20 mpg on city roadways, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the PALISADE gets 19 mpg on city roadways and 27 mpg on the road. With AWD, the Telluride gets 18 mpg on city roadways and 24 mpg on the highway, and the PALISADE receives 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the road.
Safety Features
The Kia Telluride and Hyundai PALISADE offer a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. Standard features on both SUVs include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
The 2023 Telluride and Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the Kia Telluride outshines the Palisade in individual crashworthiness tests. Nevertheless, both SUVs have impressive safety ratings, making them ideal for aspiring buyers.
Technology and Infotainment
Both SUVs come standard with a 12.3-inch touch screen, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows you to integrate your smartphone apps and functions seamlessly.
For audiophiles, both vehicles offer an optional Harman Kardon premium audio system with surround sound. The PALISADE’s system has 12 speakers, while the Telluride’s has 10.
Pricing and Value
The 2023 Kia Telluride has a starting MSRP of $35,690 for the base LX trim with FWD. The top-of-the-line SX Prestige AWD X-Pro model starts at $52,785. The 2023 Hyundai PALISADE has a slightly higher starting price of $36,545 for the base SE trim with FWD, while the range-topping Calligraphy model starts at $50,195. Thanks to its more advanced features, the Telluride offers better value for money at the higher trims. For example, the top SX Prestige trim undercuts the Palisade Calligraphy by a couple of thousand dollars.
The Telluride and PALISADE are backed by Kia and Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty coverage, which includes a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Hyundai also offers three years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Customer Testimonials
2023 Kia Telluride
“I’ve owned over 60+ vehicles over the years, and this Telluride is by far the most impressive SUV I’ve owned. Super smooth ride, excellent interior and infotainment, fun to drive, great gas mileage. Highly recommend.” — Billy H
“Love the smooth ride, acceleration, and luxurious interior. I have a 2022 BMW MX5. However, I enjoy driving my Telluride for family trips better. The only area that needs attention is the mpg. Overall — one of the best cars for money.” — Freddie Mac
2023 Hyundai PALISADE
“Great SUV, comfortable, lots of room and features better than $80,000 SUV’s traded in 2020 Palisades LTD with Caligraphy FWD. Would like better MPG! — Ohio Cajun.
Final Verdict
After carefully comparing the 2023 Kia Telluride and the 2023 Hyundai PALISADE, it’s clear that both SUVs are exceptional choices in their segment. However, the Kia Telluride edges out its corporate cousin in several key areas, making it the superior option for most buyers. The Telluride’s rugged, bold styling gives it a more distinctive presence on the road.
Try the Kia Telluride for Yourself at Huffines Kia Corinth
If you’re in the market for a midsize SUV that can do it all, the 2023 Kia Telluride should be at the top of your list. Check out our Telluride inventory and visit us at Huffines Kia Corinth to take advantage of our competitive pricing.