2021 Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade 3-Row Crossover Comparison

kia telluride vs hyundai palisade

There are many SUVs in the mid-size SUV market that appear similar but not identical. The best-selling vehicles in the USA, the Kia Telluride, and the Hyundai Palisade also look like twins. But the differences between Kia telluride vs Hyundai Palisade will surprise you. 

Both vehicles have great design, a comfortable cabin, and a handful number of safety features, that are viable options for your next SUV. 

Both are powered by the same cross-mount 291-horsepower V-6 that is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Both share suspension components, brakes, and optional all-wheel-drive systems. 

You are here to learn the differences between Kia telluride vs Hyundai palisade. So we’re going to share a few things with you about both that could help you make a better decision when launching these SUVs in the US.

Related: 13 Best Kia Lease Deals, Incentives & Rebates

After each comparison, we will tell you which vehicle is our winner and some important facts about our recommendation. First, we see the introduction of each SUV and then how it compares.

2021 Kia Telluride Overview

2021 kia telluride vs hyundai palisade

The 2021 Kia Telluride is family-friendly because it is 7 seater SUV and looks more expensive than it is. 

The Telluride makes few concessions and leaves its midsize SUV competitors in the shadows in all major categories. There are four models to choose from EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky. Power comes from a 291-hp 3.8LV6, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic. 

You can choose four different modes to choose from telluride, depending on the road and weather conditions: Smart, Sport, Eco, and Comfort, each of which uses different settings for the drive train, drive train, and gear allocation. steering force.

2021 Kia Telluride Specifications

  • MSRP: $31,990 – $42,190
  • Engine: 3.8 L 6-cylinder
  • MPG: 19 City / 24 Hwy 
  • Horsepower: 291 hp
  • Capacity: 7 Seats
  • Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive

2021 Hyundai Palisade Overview

hyundai palisade vs kia telluride

The Hyundai Palisade is a popular crossover that offers space and functionality in one affordable package. 

The most spacious SUV from Hyundai also differs from the mechanically identical Kia Telluride by a unique design, which is further enhanced by the new calligraphy equipment. 

Related: 27 Best SUV Lease Deals Under $499 – Drive Your Dream Car

With unique design features and a long list of standard features, the Hyundai Palisade calligraphy 2021 is over the top or more beautiful. The Hyundai Palisade was already generous enough with standard features, and that list got even longer for 2021.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Specifications

  • MSRP: $33,150 – $48,390
  • Engine: 3.8 L 6-cylinder
  • MPG: 19 City / 24 Hwy 
  • Horsepower: 291 hp
  • Capacity: 8 Seats
  • Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive

2021 Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade Comprision

If you’re looking for the best 8 passenger SUVs then the top contenders are the 2021 Hyundai Palisade and 2021 Kia Telluride. 

Not to mention, both offer comfort, luxury, and rugged performance at an affordable price. However, there is only room for one in your garage.

While both SUVs are great performers, read on and you’ll see when you compare the 2021 Kia telluride vs Hyundai palisade. One by one, learn more about how these SUVs compare to the Kia Telluride price and the Kia Telluride interior and other features:

1. Price

If you compare Kia’s new SUV in the third row to the Hyundai Palisade, you’ll find that the two occupy nearly identical price ranges. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride has an MSRP of $ 31,990 and is offered in LX, S, EX, and SX trim levels. 

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is offered on SE, SEL, Limited, and Caligraphy and is slightly more expensive with a starting MSRP of $ 33,150. However, when you compare the 2021 Kia telluride vs the Hyundai palisade price, it becomes clear that you’ll have more peace and quiet behind the wheel of the Hyundai Palisade, but the Kia Telluride gives you a cheaper option.

Winner: Kia Telluride 

2. Size

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations, with the Telluride offering 87 cubic feet of cargo space and the Palisade offering 86.4 cubic feet. 

At Telluride 2021, third-row passengers ride comfortably as the adjustable 60/40 split-folding seats offer plenty of head and legroom. 

Plus, you get 21 cubic feet of space behind the third row, while the palisade is only 18 cubic feet. Kia Telluride has a slight Kia Telluride size advantage over Hyundai Palisade.

Winner: Kia Telluride 

3. Comfort

Once again, the Telluride 2021 maintains a head start in terms of value, offering standard synthetic leather upholstery, while Palisade only offers fabric. 

Compare the 2021 Kia Telluride to the Hyundai Palisade when it comes to interior dimensions and you will see that the Telluride leads in the comfort zone too: 

Winner: Kia Telluride 

4. Performance

The 2021 Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade share the same platform, suspension and brakes, and even the same powertrain. Both SUVs have a 3.8-liter V6 with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet along with 8-speed automatic transmission. 

And both the Telluride and Palisade base fairings offer standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. 

However, with the Kia Telluride Nightfall and Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, all-wheel drive is standard. 2021 kia telluride vs Hyundai palisade performance, both are equal.

Winner: Tied

5. Design And Style

When it comes to exterior styling, Kia went for a bolder, bulkier look with sharp edges, while Hyundai went for a softer look with curved edges. 

Palisade also has sharper headlights, while Kia has vertical headlights. The huge Hyundai Palisade grille along with the chrome looks decent, but the Kia Telluride has a better grille. 

The shapes of the taillights are reversed. Palisade gets vertical lamps, while Telluride gets sharper lights that go from the center to the corners. Hyundai Palisade stands out in the exterior design of hyundai palisade vs kia telluride.

Winner: Kia Telluride 

6. Technology

While both models are well equipped with luxurious amenities, there are a few key differences. The Hyundai Palisade offers a six- or eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. 

While the Kia Telluride starts with an eight-way driver’s seat and has a ten-way adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support for higher trim levels.

Additionally, each Telluride comes standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, while the first two palisade trims come with an 8-inch touchscreen before receiving the 10.25-inch update. In the 2021 Kia telluride vs Hyundai palisade Tech Front, Kia Telluride is the winner.

Winner: Kia Telluride 

7. Reliability

A Kia Telluride costs approximately $ 8,069 for maintenance and repairs for its first 10 years of service. This is better than average maintenance charges for popular SUV models by $ 811. 

The Kia Telluride 2021 has a reliability rating of four out of five. A Hyundai Palisade will cost approximately $ 8,180 in maintenance and repairs for its first 10 years of service. 

This beats the industry average for popular SUV models by $ 700. The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has a reliability rating of four out of five. Overall, the reliability of Hyundai palisade vs Kia telluride has an advantage over Kia Telluride.

Winner: Kia Telluride

8. Safety

Both Telluride and Palisade receive Forward Collision Prevention, ACC, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and much more. 

However, IIHS has stated that Telluride does not have enough high beams in all of its specifications, which has resulted in it not earning a Top Safety Pick + rating. 

While Palisade was rated for better headlamp performance as all other safety features are similar. Kia telluride or Hyundai palisade Reliability, Hyundai Palisade wins the comparison.

Winner: Hyundai Palisade 

9. MPG

The Hyundai Palisade gets the same 291 horsepower from its 3.8-liter V6 engine and an EPA-estimated 26 mpg highway rating, but city mileage is only 19 mpg, compared to 20 mpg in the city of the Kia. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride also receives an EPA fuel economy rating of up to 20 urban and 26 highway MPGs with FWD, while AWD models receive up to 19 EPA urban and 24 highway MPGs. 

Checkout: Best Gas Mileage SUVs

In terms of fuel efficiency, Kia Telluride performed well in the MPG comparison of Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade 2021.

Winner: Kia Telluride

10. Final Verdict

As you read, Kia Telluride is affordable and has good performance, design, fuel efficiency, comfort, and technology compared to Hyundai Palisade. 

Palisade, on the other hand, doesn’t disappoint with its long-lasting warranties and high-quality features. 

Overall, the Kia Telluride is our recommendation after studying all the points comparing the 2021 Kia Telluride to the Hyundai Palisade.

Final Winner: Kia Telluride

Top FAQs About Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Telluride

Which one is better Kia telluride or Hyundai palisade?

Both are good, but we picked the Kia Telluride as the top pick after examining all the parameters when comparing these two SUVs.

As the Kia Telluride is the vehicle with the highest score in its category in terms of reliability, safety and performance, customers can choose not only the available premium Nappa leather seat covers for the Kia Telluride 2021 for an even more luxurious experience.

Which is more reliable palisade or Telluride

The 2021 Kia Telluride has a good reliability rating in four out of five as per one reputed website survey. but has a higher overall score of 92 compared to 82 for the Palisade? This statistic shows that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. In the J.D. Power survey, Kia ranks third in reliability, above the industry average.

Why is palisade more expensive than Telluride?

There are design differences, albeit largely small, which is why the Palisade is slightly more expensive than the Telluride. But as the US News web, the Telluride is ultimately the better SUV of the two. And since the Telluride is also a little cheaper, it has an overall better value than the Palisade.

How does the Hyundai Palisade compare to the Kia Telluride?

Both three-row SUVs have a lot to offer and are similar in terms of mechanics, but there are clear winners depending on the requirements. The new Kia Telluride, for example, offers slightly more cargo space and a raised cabin. In contrast, the new Hyundai Palisade fared better in safety ratings, which gives it more confidence.

Final Thought

The masculine body design and blocky styling of the Kia give it an eye-catching appeal. In contrast, Palisade’s polarized face and more complex surface never let us look back when zooming out. These all things make you realize that the Telluride has more to offer and overall better value for money than the Palisade. Hopefully, you like your comparison guide.

Dylan Miller

I am a Chicago native and regular contributor to "Locar Deals". I have a master's degree in English, am an automobile content creation specialist, and have written professionally for a variety of automotive companies over the past few years. I write on a variety of vehicles, from high-end luxury cars to ten-year-old gas guzzlers and everything in between. And I love sharing valuable car buying tips with consumers from all walks of life.

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