Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade: Which SUV Is Right For Your Family?
Curious about if the Telluride or Palisade is better for your family? Let’s break down every feature to help you decide!
If you’re in the market for an affordable mid-size SUV, you’ve likely come across two popular contenders: the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade. These vehicles are often compared to each other because they share the same platform, have similar powertrains, and feature many of the same amenities. While they may seem alike on the surface, I think they are two completely different family cars.
So without any further introduction, let’s break down the key differences between the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade to help decide which car will match up the best to your family’s needs.
Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade Overview
The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are both popular choices in the affordable mid-size SUV category, often compared due to their similar price points. While they share many features, such as the same platform and powertrain, these two vehicles offer distinct experiences.
The comparison between these two cars comes from the fact that Kia is part of the Hyundai Motor Group, which explains why they have so much in common. Despite these shared elements, each SUV has its own unique appeal, making them quite different in terms of design, amenities, and overall driving experience.
So here’s an in-depth break down of all the top aspects to consider when choosing one of these options as your family car:
Exterior Design - Which Do You Prefer?
The exterior design of a vehicle is subjective, but it’s often one of the first things you see when going on a test drive. Both the Telluride and the Palisade have their own unique looks, and your preference here may come down to personal taste.
For the Hyundai Palisade:
The Palisade has been around for a few years and recently received a minor facelift to keep its design fresh. I particularly like the bold chrome grille and the boxier headlights, especially on the higher trims. The 20-inch upgraded wheels also add a touch of luxury, making the Palisade look more expensive than it is.
Hyundai is known for its more out-there exterior colors and when I toured the Palisade, the hunter green was a gorgeous color. With the silver accents on the body, the look was really unique.
For the Kia Telluride:
Personally, I like the exterior of the Telluride more. Kia gave the Telluride a redesign in 2023 and it has a more rugged, off-roading appearance. I’d say it has a more adventurous vibe, reminding me a bit of the Toyota 4Runner.
The back end of the Telluride is sleek and understated, with less branding, which adds to its sophisticated look. If you’re into a more rugged and cool design, the Telluride might be more your style.
Let’s Talk Pricing
Pricing is one of the biggest factors to consider when shopping for a family car. Between the two, the Kia Telluride is what you could classify as the more affordable option. The base model of the 2024 Kia Telluride (the LX trim) starts at $36,190. On the other hand, the base model of the 2024 Hyundai Palisade (the SE trim) is priced at $39,400. That’s a difference of about $3,000, which could be significant depending on your budget.
As you move up the trim levels, the pricing gap narrows. The top trim level for the Telluride (the SX Prestige X-Pro) costs $53,385. The Palisade’s top trim (the Calligraphy Night Edition) is just slightly more expensive at $53,850. While this price difference is minimal, it’s still worth noting if you’re considering the top-tier models.
Fuel Economy Is Similar in Both Cars
Fuel economy is another important factor, especially if your family car is going beyond just the pick-up line. Both vehicles have similar fuel efficiency, but there are some differences depending on the drivetrain you would prefer in your car.
For the Hyundai Palisade:
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD): 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
For the Kia Telluride:
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD): 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
The Telluride offers slightly better fuel efficiency in the city with FWD, but overall, the differences are minimal. I wouldn’t choose one SUV over the other based purely on fuel economy since they are so close.
See The Car Seat Setup:
As nice as a car looks, drives, and even costs, if the car seat setup doesn’t work for your family, it cannot be a family car possibility. On paper, the Telluride and the Palisade offer the same car seat configuration, but in real life, there are some differences.
In both SUVs:
The second row has lower anchors on the outboard seats and tether anchors across the back.
The third row has a single lower anchor on the right outboard seat and tether anchors across the back.
The bench seat comes standard in the lowest trim - but only the Telluride allows you to keep the bench on higher trims, specifically the LX and EX trims.
Third Row Space - The Telluride Wins
However, the third row in the Palisade is disappointing and where I prefer the Telluride. First, the middle seat in the third row is incredibly small—so small that I’d say it’s better suited for an American Girl doll than a child. Second, the lower anchors go on top of the seatbelt so that means you couldn’t use a booster back here. This tells me Hyundai put the lower anchors in the back to check a box, not actually to use as a working third lower anchor option.
So by default, the Telluride’s third row is slightly better. While it’s still not ideal for car seats, it offers a bit more space and functionality compared to the Palisade. It’s third row is not winning any awards, but is a much more practical option for larger families.
Third Row Access Is Important.
Third-row access is another area where these SUVs differ, particularly from a car seat perspective.
For the Hyundai Palisade:
The Palisade uses what I’d call a “Tilt and Slide” mechanism for third-row access. While this isn’t the most car seat-friendly option, without a car seat I really like it. The seat is light and easy to move, making it easy for your kids to use it themselves. If you’re not planning to have car seats in the third row regularly, the Palisade’s access might be more appealing.
For the Kia Telluride:
Not going to lie, it disappoints a little bit—especially from a car seat perspective. The access isn’t great (there’s no car seat tilt), but there are buttons high and low to slide the second-row seats forward to get back there, which is a feature I love for littles.
Amenities We Love
When it comes to amenities, both the Telluride and the Palisade offer A TON of features, especially as you move up the trim levels. Here are some of the top amenities each SUV offers that I think are worth a mention:
For the Hyundai Palisade:
Blind spot camera on the dashboard that shows real-time footage
Seatbelt sensors are built into the dashboard for added safety
Sunshades and two cupholders on each door in the second row
USB-C chargers throughout the vehicle, make it easy to keep devices charged
Sunshades and ceiling vents in the second row (on higher trims)
Massage seats in the first row (highest trim level)
For the Kia Telluride:
Sunshades and ceiling vents in the second row
USB-C ports in the second row
Curved infotainment display
Surround-view monitoring for easier parking
Blind-spot monitoring
Heads-up display
Full display mirror that doubles as a camera
Heated and ventilated seats in the second row (higher trims)
Trunk Space Is Crucial
Neither the Telluride nor the Palisade are winning any awards for trunk space with the third row up. They're both decent and can fit a stroller, but you wouldn't be able to do a huge grocery haul as well. Enough for the daily routine, but nothing to write home about.
Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade: Which is the "Winner"?
If I had just two kids, I’d 100% use the Hyundai Palisade as my family car. While the third row isn’t perfect, and I wish it had a more car seat-friendly tilt, the Palisade offers a smooth, safe ride with plenty of amenities that make it a strong contender.
That said, the Kia Telluride is also a great choice. It’s rugged, stylish, and offers many of the same features as the Palisade. Ultimately, these two vehicles are so different that comparing them feels almost unfair. My best advice? Test drive both. That’s the only way to truly see which one suits your lifestyle better.
And if neither of these SUVs feels quite right, you might want to check out the Nissan Pathfinder. It’s a strong competitor that combines some of the best features of both the Telluride and the Palisade. Lizz swears by it for her family and it could be worth considering if you’re still undecided.
Do you have strong opinions on the Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest car-buying tips for families, check out my recent posts:
