The 2023 Kia Telluride and 2023 Hyundai Palisade are two of the preferred three-row household SUVs in the marketplace and for good purpose: They’re glorious! It stands to purpose, then, that an terrible lot of individuals are attempting to determine which one could be higher for them.
Earlier than diving deeper into answering that query, there’s one thing essential to know: They’re twins. You see, Hyundai and Kia are sister manufacturers. Principally, a standard chassis/platform and powertrain have been developed, and every model went their separate methods to complete the job with designs distinctive sufficient that they cover the frequent DNA. There’s certainly much more differentiating them than so-called “badge engineered” automobiles (as an illustration, a Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, or the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave), however their shared fundamentals are additionally an enormous purpose why they’re so good. So too are Hyundai and Kia’s frequent attribute of offering plentiful worth to your cash, plus their many shared expertise options.
So let’s check out a few of these variations, plus these areas the place they’re equal.
Learn our full 2023 Hyundai Palisade Overview
Learn our full 2023 Kia Telluride Overview
Which has a nicer inside?
If “nicer” is outlined by the standard of supplies and development, that is principally a tie. The Palisade and Telluride don’t share inside bits and items, but when they got here from the identical provider with the identical high quality requirements, we wouldn’t be stunned.
Actually, this comes all the way down to aesthetics and a few minor performance variations. The Palisade’s design is extra trendy and natural in look, whereas the Telluride is blockier – not not like its inside. Inside controls are extra front-and-center within the Kia, whereas they mix into the design of the Palisade. Talking of which, the important thing performance distinction comes all the way down to the middle console. The Telluride has a extra conventional setup with a PRND shifter surrounded by open cupholders and a bin. The Palisade has a push-button shifter surrounded by numerous local weather and automobile management buttons that within the Kia, are cut up between the sprint and heart console. The Palisade’s cupholders and telephone storage are then all collectively in a lined bin behind these controls.
Which is best? Objectively, the reply is neither. It comes down to non-public choice. Prepare to listen to that lots.
Which has higher infotainment expertise?
Hyundai and Kia share almost all the identical expertise options and, not not like the chassis, distinctive designs masking a standard infotainment working system and {hardware} idea. Every has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a row of bodily menu shortcut buttons (together with the wonderful customizable star button that’ll name up no matter you need comparable to Apple CarPlay). Higher trims get a 12.3-inch instrument panel display screen. Though the touchscreen user-interface and IP shows have totally different graphics and layouts, total usability is equally glorious.
Which is safer?
Tie!
Each obtained the best-possible ranking from the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security: Prime Security Decide+. The NHTSA additionally awarded each five-star crash scores.
Additionally they supply the identical distinctive security and driver help programs. Customary tools consists of ahead collision warning and automated emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keeping steering help, blind-spot warning, rear parking sensors, a driver inattention warning system, rear occupant alert, secure exit help and adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centering steering help (Freeway Driving Help). The Freeway Driving Help II system, obtainable on each, provides enhanced steering help and automatic lane adjustments to the adaptive cruise management plus machine studying that enables the system to adapt to your driving type
Which has the larger again seat?
The boxier Telluride is ever-so-slightly larger and may really feel a bit airier inside because of this. When it comes to precise area to your legs and heads, the variations are so minor it makes no distinction. Importantly, they each have one of the spacious and comfy third-row seats amongst crossovers. Even full-sized adults can match comfortably for prolonged intervals of time, which additionally means teenagers and smaller people shall be much more comfy. As with most three-row automobiles, there’s a alternative of a second-row bench and captain’s chairs, which equate to a alternative of eight- or seven-passenger capability.
Which has extra cargo capability and performance?
The variations in most cargo capability are principally inconsequential: They’re equally monumental. Area behind the raised third-row favors the Telluride, nevertheless. It has 21 cubic-feet of area, which was sufficiently big to accommodate 5 suitcases in our baggage take a look at. The Palisade has 19 cubic-feet, which amounted to at least one fewer suitcase. A key distinction is the under-floor storage space – each SUVs have them, however the Telluride’s is larger and due to this fact higher in a position to contribute to luggage-holding. Nonetheless, even the Palisade’s rearmost cargo space is likely one of the extra voluminous within the section.
Which will get higher gas financial system?
Telluride, however solely by a whisker.
The front-wheel-drive Telluride is rated at 20 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed. With all-wheel drive, it will get 18/24/21 mpg. The Palisade returns 19/27/22 mpg with front-wheel drive and 19/25/21 with all-wheel drive. You would possibly save $100 per 12 months by going with the Kia – simply take into account that the Telluride’s distinctive X-Professional trim stage and its all-terrain tires is certain to worsen gas financial system.
Neither presents a hybrid powertrain, not like Hyundai and Kia’s smaller SUVs.
Which is extra highly effective?
Tie! Bear in mind, they’ve the identical powertrain: a 3.8-liter V6 good for 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automated transmission is customary with a alternative of front- or all-wheel drive. Acceleration instances are principally the identical.
Which is best to drive?
Are there variations in the best way Hyundai and Kia tuned the frequent field of chassis and powertrain parts? Positive. Are they sufficient for many drivers to note, not to mention care? No manner. They each present a well-rounded driving expertise free from unhealthy habits but additionally bereft of something notably memorable. Successfully, it reaches the bar set by the overwhelming majority of consumers on this section. The V6 engine produces loads of energy, however in the end produces acceleration on-par with most different automobiles within the section. The steering is exact and positive factors a little bit further effort when in Sport mode, however it additionally does not hold you notably engaged within the driving expertise.
Which is extra comfy?
Experience high quality is equally glorious, although the Telluride X-Professional’s all-terrain tires add some influence firmness many will discover unpleasant. Additionally they have totally different seats, however we haven’t developed a choice for both. Undoubtedly one thing to take a look at on back-to-back take a look at drives.
Are there variations that stand out greater than others?
The Telluride X-Line and X-Professional are off-road-oriented trim ranges that achieve burlier styling and an additional 0.4 inch of floor clearance over different Tellurides and the Palisade. The X-Professional (pictured above) goes a step additional with Continental all-terrain tires that enhance traction off-road however scale back experience consolation on-road. The Palisade XRT (above proper) is extra of an off-road-look look bundle with blacked-out trim and roof crossbars.
When was the final time they have been redesigned?
Each the Telluride and Palisade have been launched for the 2020 mannequin 12 months, and each obtained updates for 2023. Their exterior styling, particularly up entrance, was tweaked, however we expect their authentic appears have been superior. It comes throughout as change for the sake of change. The interiors additionally noticed slight variations to accommodate an even bigger customary touchscreen. Some new tech options, most notably the Freeway Driving Help II system (see security part), debuted as effectively.
Which is cheaper and presents extra tools?
The Telluride is about $1,000 costlier to begin, and the luxurious SX Status trim is about $1,000 greater than the comparable Palisade Calligraphy. Nonetheless, Kia presents much more trim ranges, which means it is more durable to interrupt issues down apples-to-apples within the mid-grade trims. Basically, although, the Kia is a little more costly regardless of the 2 providing almost the identical characteristic content material.
Yow will discover a full breakdown of the 2023 Telluride pricing and trim ranges right here and the 2023 Palisade pricing and trim ranges right here.