Since its introduction into the market, the Kia Telluride has demonstrated that the Korean automaker can combine style and substance in one capable package. The 3-row SUV hasn’t just proved popular with critics. However, the Kia Telluride also has a major competition: the Hyundai Palisade.
The Hyundai Palisade is a luxury bargain that also placed high in tests and scores by experts and is even above the Ford Explorer in. Given this, should buyers choose the Palisade or the Telluride with Hyundai and Kia part of the same company?
What Does the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride Have in Common?
Car and Driver describe the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are practically identical. The SUVs ride on the same platform and use the same 291-hp V6 and 8-speed automatic. Brakes, suspension, even all-wheel drive systems: all shared. The Kia Telluride has the same tow rating as the Palisade: 5000 lbs. Car and Driver even found the two 3-row SUVs weigh within 3 lbs of each other.
Motor Trend found that the two have almost identical 60-0 braking distances. 0-60 sprints also time out roughly the same: 7.1 seconds for the Palisade, 7.2 for the Kia Telluride. Both SUVs also offer similar options. In addition to AWD, customers can equip self-levelling suspension, Harman Kardon audio, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and even a special ‘quiet mode’ for rear-seat passengers.
The two SUVs are also priced fairly close to one another. The Kia Telluride LX starts at $31,690; the Hyundai Palisade SE’s MSRP is $31,550. And while each SUV’s trim levels differ on standard features, the price difference is negligible by the time you option the Kia to match the Hyundai.
What Then Differentiates the Hyundai Palisade from the Kia Telluride?
The two SUVs still have their differences.
The Palisade is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, while the Kia Telluride is ‘only’ a Top Safety Pick. Also, considering MT reported that Telluride offers more standard safety features. Blind-spot monitoring, for instance, is standard on every Telluride, but only the mid-level Palisade SEL and above get it. However, the Palisade does get a bigger infotainment touchscreen: 12.3” to the Telluride’s 7.0”.
Car and Driver also found the Palisade to offer a slightly smoother ride, but it’s almost as negligible as the price difference. Although, the Kia Telluride’s interior was quieter. However, the testing team did find the Telluride’s transmission to shift more roughly than the Palisade’s. MT did not experience this but agreed with Car and Driver that the Palisade had slightly less body roll and slightly sharper handling.
However, Telluride’s seating position is slightly lower than the Palisade. Although each SUV’s seats are equally comfy, drivers sit lower in the Telluride, making driving feel more pleasurable. And Kia’s clients have noticed. In the Palisade, though, occupants sit higher, and this makes driving the SUV feel like driving a “bloated minivan.”
Should I Buy The Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride?
Both SUVs offer great luxury for impressively-low prices. And they even have the same EPA fuel economy: 19-mpg city/24-mpg highway for AWD models.
Going purely by standard features, the Palisade is slightly ahead. For example, the Harmon Karmon audio system comes with more speakers in the Palisade. There’s also the larger touchscreen and a power-operated third row and digital display cluster.
On the other hand, what made the 2020 Kia Telluride win awards wasn’t just refinement and options. It was a style and driving experience. People just like the look of the Telluride more and like driving it more.
Ultimately, it boils down to this. The Hyundai Palisade is slightly more luxurious, while the Kia Telluride is more stylish. But you can’t go wrong with either.
| 2020 Hyundai Palisade HTRAC (Limited) | 2020 Kia Telluride SX V6 AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT | Front-engine, AWD | Front-engine, AWD |
| ENGINE TYPE | 60-deg V-6, alum block/heads | 60-deg V-6, alum block/heads |
| VALVETRAIN | DOHC, 4 valves/cyl | DOHC, 4 valves/cyl |
| DISPLACEMENT | 230.5 cu in/3,778 cc | 230.5 cu in/3,778 cc |
| COMPRESSION RATIO | 13.0:1 | 13.0:1 |
| POWER (SAE NET) | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| TORQUE (SAE NET) | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm |
| REDLINE | 6,750 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| WEIGHT TO POWER | 15.3 lb/hp | 15.3 lb/hp |
| TRANSMISSION | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO | 3.65:1/2.36:1 | 3.65:1/2.36:1 |
| SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR | Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar | Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| STEERING RATIO | 15.6:1 | 15.6:1 |
| TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK | 2.8 | 2.9 |
| BRAKES, F; R | 13.4-in vented disc; 12.0-in disc, ABS | 13.4-in vented disc; 12.0-in disc, ABS |
| WHEELS | 7.5 x 20-in cast aluminum | 7.5 x 20-in cast aluminum |
| TIRES | 245/50R20 102V M+S Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport AS | 245/50R20 102V M+S Michelin Primacy Tour A/S |
| DIMENSIONS | ||
| WHEELBASE | 114.2 in | 114.2 in |
| TRACK, F/R | 67.2/67.6 in | 67.2/67.6 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT | 196.1 x 77.8 x 68.9 in | 196.9 x 78.3 x 69.3 in |
| GROUND CLEARANCE | 7.9 in | 8.0 in |
| APPRCH/DEPART ANGLE | 18.5/21.2 deg | 17.0/20.9 deg |
| TURNING CIRCLE | 38.7 ft | 38.8 ft |
| CURB WEIGHT | 4,459 lb | 4,460 lb |
| WEIGHT DIST, F/R | 56/44% | 56/44% |
| TOWING CAPACITY | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| SEATING CAPACITY | 7 | 7 |
| HEADROOM, F/M/R | 39.3/38.3/37.2 in | 39.5/38.8/37.8 in |
| LEGROOM, F/M/R | 44.1/42.4/31.4 in | 41.4/42.4/31.4 in |
| SHOULDER ROOM, F/M/R | 61.2/60.8/55.2 in | 61.6/59.9/55.3 in |
| CARGO VOLUME, BEH F/M/R | 86.4/45.8/18.0 cu ft | 87.0/46.0/21.0 cu ft |
Conclusion
Both cars have their difference, but their similarities abound. It’s important to note that you cannot go wrong with either of them.
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