Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade

Confident Power, Smarter Efficiency

Both SUVs come standard with a turbocharged engine producing more than 270 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission for smooth, responsive shifts. Where the difference becomes clear is torque.

• Kia Telluride: 311 lb-ft of standard torque
• Hyundai Palisade: 260 lb-ft of standard torque

With significantly more torque, the Telluride delivers stronger acceleration for highway merging and passing, more confidence when fully loaded, easier hill climbs, and reduced engine strain when towing.

Their identical 19-gallon fuel tanks help extend time between fill-ups. However, the Telluride’s slight efficiency edge translates to greater range per tank:

That means more miles of momentum before your next stop.

Built for the Road—and Beyond

Capability isn’t just about horsepower; it’s about what that power allows you to do. Both SUVs offer available All-Wheel Drive, helping maintain traction on slick roads, loose gravel, and mud. Each SUV is also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, enough to haul a small camper, lightweight trailer, fishing boat, or a pair of jet skis or ATVs for a weekend excursion.

For families who see the pavement as a starting point, not a limit, both models offer enhanced off-road trims. While each SUV provides 7.4 inches of standard ground clearance, their adventure-ready variants raise the bar:

• Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige: 9.1 inches of ground clearance
• Hyundai Palisade XRT-PRO: 8.4 inches of ground clearance

The Telluride’s additional clearance translates to greater confidence, allowing you to explore farther with fewer worries. When adventure calls, that extra capability can mean the difference between pressing on and turning back.

Right-Sized for Your Family

At 199.2 inches long and 78.3 inches wide, the Telluride and the Palisade share identical exterior footprints. Inside both SUVs, even third-row passengers can stretch out comfortably, with more than 37 inches of headroom and an identical 32.1 inches of legroom.

The Telluride continues to edge out the Palisade with more cargo space and versatility, offering greater overall capacity to better accommodate family gear and extended trip essentials.

In real-life terms, that extra space can mean fitting more suitcases for vacation, loading bulky sports equipment without folding additional seats, or making fewer compromises when packing for a weekend away.

Comfort That Fits Your Life

When you and your crew enter the Kia Telluride or the Hyundai Palisade, you’ll find a cabin crafted with family comfort in mind. They offer a similar lineup of standard and available amenities designed to keep everyone on board comfortable, no matter where they’re seated. Highlights include:

• Tri-zone auto climate control
• Heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats
• Heated steering wheel
• One-Touch Tilt & Sliding second-row seats
• Dual sunroofs

Once again, the Telluride separates itself in the details. It offers an available 10-way power driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar support, allowing for more precise, personalized positioning. By comparison, the Palisade’s driver’s seat adjusts up to eight ways. On longer drives, extra adjustability can make a noticeable difference in overall comfort.

Seating materials further distinguish the two. The Palisade comes standard with cloth upholstery, with leatherette and leather available on upper trims. The Telluride, however, features SynTex seating surfaces, a soft-touch leather alternative that’s comfortable, durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean. It’s a balance of refinement and practicality that feels upscale while remaining practical for everyday use.

Connected and Ready for the Road

Both SUVs start on equal footing when it comes to connectivity and infotainment, catering to modern families who rely on tech while on the move. Standard features shared by the Telluride and the Palisade are:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation
• Wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• USB-C fast charging ports in all three rows

Where the Telluride pulls ahead is in its attention to everyday convenience: it comes standard with dual wireless phone chargers, keeping multiple devices powered without cables. The Palisade offers wireless charging as an option, but only for a single device, which is less ideal for families on the go.

Confidence Comes Standard

Of course, nothing matters more than the systems that protect you and your passengers. Both SUVs come equipped with robust driver-assistance suites that act as vigilant co-pilots: monitoring blind spots, alerting you to potential hazards, and taking proactive action to help avoid collisions. Beyond features active while driving, each SUV includes standard Rear Occupant Alert, helping ensure nobody is ever left behind.

Safety ratings from respected organizations like the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) further highlight the difference. The Kia Telluride has earned TOP SAFETY PICK+ honors year after year, while the Palisade has lost points in areas like driver- and passenger-side front overlap crashes. These consistent accolades reinforce the Telluride’s reputation for reliability and give drivers an added layer of confidence every time they take the wheel.