Battle of the Midsize SUVs
The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are two of the top contenders in their class. See which one is a better buy.
Neither the Hyundai Palisade nor the Kia Telluride has been on the market for more than a handful of years, yet both of these midsize SUVs have already made a name for themselves.
The first thing drivers should know about the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride is that they’re very similar SUVs. Hyundai owns a significant share of Kia, so it should come as no surprise that the two SUVs are built on the same platform. They share a V6 engine and nearly identical amounts of cabin space.
Now that you know what the two SUVs have in common, let’s get into how they differentiate themselves from each other and the rest of their class.
Which SUV Is Cheaper?
While most SUV buyers don’t prioritize finding the vehicle with the lowest price, it’s still an essential part of the purchasing decision. These two SUVs are similar in price. The Kia Telluride costs $36,390, while the Hyundai Palisade has a starting MSRP of $37,200.
For top trim levels, the Kia SUV remains slightly less expensive. You can find a Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro AWD for $53,685. The Palisade’s Calligraphy Night Edition AWD costs $54,500.
Which SUV Is Safer?
While getting the lowest price isn’t usually a top priority for SUV buyers, safety is. In this category, the Hyundai Palisade is a clear winner. U.S. News scores it a 9.8 out of 10 on its safety scale, while the Kia Telluride gets a 9.4.
The most recent Palisade is a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The SUV comes with numerous driver assistance features and, along with the Telluride, has three complete LATCH sets for car seats.
Which SUV Handles Better?
Midsize SUVs can be difficult to drive if they’re not well-designed. Thankfully, both the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade handle well for vehicles of their size. It’s difficult to pick a winner in this category since the two SUVs share a platform.
Drivers do note some minor differences. Some people say that the Palisade handles more like a minivan than an SUV, meaning that it’s easier to drive. Additionally, the Telluride can exhibit slight body roll when taking tight corners, whereas this issue is absent in the Palisade.
Which SUV Is More Comfortable?
Both the Palisade and the Telluride have well-appointed interiors that are packed with desirable features. They come standard with the same 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone integration, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Both SUVs also come with numerous available features. Drivers can upgrade to wireless device charging, an advanced multi-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system, ambient interior lighting, and many other features.
Which SUV Offers a Better Overall Value?
The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are very similar SUVs, so it’s difficult to assign a winner in this competition. Both vehicles have much to offer.
If you’re looking for a lower price, go for the Telluride. If safety and handling are priorities, opt for the Palisade. Regardless of which you choose, take it for a test drive before you make up your mind.
