2022 Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Telluride

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade and 2022 Kia Telluride are both full-sized SUVs that offer three rows of seats. They can each accommodate seven or eight people depending on the specific model and configuration. These two vehicles have a lot in common, along with some things that make them each unique. They have almost identical sizes and offer roughly the same amount of cargo space. They also have comparable starting prices.

The Hyundai Palisade is 196-inches long, 78-inches wide and 69-inches high. The Kia Telluride is 197-inches long, 78-inches wide and 69-inches high. The Palisade has 18 cubic-feet of storage space behind the third row. This can be expanded up to 86.4 cubic-feet by folding down the second- and third-row seats. The Telluride has 21 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the third row or 87 cubic-feet of space with all of the rear seats folded down.

The Palisade is a stylish yet affordable SUV with a comfortable interior. It offers a lot of value with its wealth of standard features and low starting prices for every trim level. The Telluride is also an attractive vehicle with plenty of standard features. Like the Palisade, it's quite comfortable on the inside, and the higher trim levels are downright luxurious. These two vehicles are evenly matched in a lot of ways.

Here's a look at how these two SUVs compare when it comes to the powertrain, drivability and safety features. We will also look at the overall value of each vehicle and which trim levels provide the most bang for your buck. If you're searching for a new full-size SUV, this should help with deciding on the right model for your needs.

The Powertrain

Every model of the Hyundai Palisade is equipped with a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine makes 291 horsepower with 262 pound-feet of torque. Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) is standard, but HTRAC All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is optional for every trim level. A Palisade with FWD will have a combined fuel-economy rating of 22 miles-per-gallon (mpg). This drops to 21 mpg for models with AWD.

There are MacPherson struts with coil springs in the front suspension. In the rear, there's an independent multi-link suspension. Every Palisade trim gets four-wheel disc, anti-lock brakes. The Palisade also has a rack-and-pinion system with Motor-Driven Power Steering. With the right setup, the Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The Kia Telluride is also powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine. It produces an identical 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, just like the Palisade's V-6. The Telluride has an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD. AWD is available for every trim level. Models with FWD have a combined fuel-economy rating of 23 mpg. Once again, this number drops by 1 mpg when the vehicle comes with AWD.

The Telluride has column-mounted, Motor-Driven Power Steering. There's a four-wheel disc, anti-locking brake system. There's an independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar. In the rear, there's an independent, multi-link suspension and a second stabilizer bar. The Telluride's maximum towing capacity is identical to the Palisade's towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Drivability

Drivability covers the performance specs of the vehicles along with the steering and handling. It also encompasses the ride quality and interior comfort. To a lesser degree, it even covers convenience and entertainment features, as these greatly enhance the overall driving experience. The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are pretty evenly matched in all of these categories.

The performance specs are nearly identical when comparing these two SUVs. Their engines make the same amount of horsepower and torque. Both vehicles weigh about the same. This means that acceleration and passing power is just about equal when comparing these two vehicles. Acceleration is good, but unremarkable. There's plenty of power for what these vehicles were designed to do, namely to transport a family and lots of cargo around.

Steering and handling are very comparable as well. Both vehicles have accurate steering. They're more maneuverable than what one might expect considering the size and weight of these large SUVs. Ride quality is smooth and comfortable in both vehicles, as they have similar suspension systems. Both automakers have also done a fine job of sound-proofing the interiors for a quiet and comfortable environment.

For the Palisade, most trim levels get 8-way power seats up front. Higher trim levels also get 4-way lumbar support. Heating and ventilation is available for the front seats as well. Cloth upholstery is standard for the base trim level. Premium Nappa leather is available for the seats in the Limited and Calligraphy trims.

The Palisade has standard heating and air-conditioning. There's also a standard Dual Auto Temperature-Control System. There's an available 10.25-inch color touchscreen for the infotainment system. The infotainment system offers built-in navigation, Bluetooth technology and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hyundai also offers a premium sound system with 12 speakers by Harman Kardon®.

The Kia Telluride has an available 10-way power driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support. There's also an available 8-way power seat for the front passenger. Heating and ventilation are both available for the seats. This includes the front and second-row seats. Leather upholstery and wood-grain trim is available for the higher trim levels.

The Telluride has a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. There's a Dual-Zone Automatic Climate-Control System with an auto defogger. This SUV also gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, built-in navigation and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bluetooth tech is available for music streaming, and there's wireless charging for smartphones and other devices at the higher trim levels. Kia provides a premium Harman Kardon audio system with 10 speakers.

Safety

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade has a wealth of standard safety features. There's a comprehensive airbag system with advanced, dual front airbags and dual seat-mounted, side-impact airbags. The driver gets an extra airbag for knee protection. There are also roof-mounted curtain airbags in the front and rear. These protect passengers in all three rows and even have a rollover sensor so they can be deployed when most needed.

There are several Collision-Avoidance Assist features to help prevent accidents from the front, from potential blind-spots and from rear cross-traffic. Advanced sensors can not only detect other vehicles, they're accurate enough to detect pedestrians and smaller objects as well. Every model of the Palisade has a rear camera to increase the driver's awareness of their surroundings. There's also a Tire-Pressure Monitoring System that gives feedback on each individual tire.

The rear-passenger area has child-safety locks and windows. All trim levels have the LATCH system to secure child safety seats. Driver-Attention Warning makes sure that the driver is alert at all times. Safe-Exit Assist lets everyone know when it's safe to exit the vehicle. Highway-Driving Assist is standard on every model except for the base trim level.

The Palisade has a Parking-Distance Warning that works when moving forward or in reverse. Rear-Occupant Alert gives a reminder for the driver to check the rear seats when exiting the vehicle. An upgraded version called Ultrasonic Rear-Occupant Alert is available for the higher trim levels. This SUV also has Smart Cruise Control with Start & Go technology.

The Palisade's Lane-Following Assist and Lane-Keeping Assist features make sure that the driver doesn't veer dangerously out of their own lane. This SUV also has a Vehicle-Stability Management System to make for a safer ride. Electronic Stability Control keeps things stable, as the name suggests, and Traction Control makes driving on wet or slick pavement a lot safer.

The 2022 Kia Telluride also has an advanced airbag system. This include dual front airbags; dual seat-mounted, side-impact airbags up front; a driver's knee airbag and side-curtain airbags that cover all three rows. Just like the curtain airbags in the Palisade, these have a rollover sensor. The Telluride has 3-point seat-belts at all seating positions. It also has child-safety locks and windows as well as the LATCH system, just like the Palisade.

More similarities to the Palisade include a Vehicle-Stability Management System, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control. The Telluride also has a rear camera, an available surround-view camera and a Tire-Pressure Monitoring System. There's Hill-Start Assist, plus the aforementioned anti-locking brake system. The Telluride even has a similar front- and rear-parking assist feature like the system found in the Palisade.

The Telluride offers Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane-Departure Warning and Lane-Following Assist. It also has Front-Collision Avoidance, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance features. These are all comparable to the features of the Palisade.

Which Has the Best Value?

With two vehicles this evenly matches in every category, the next logical question to ask is, which offers the most value for your money? The base trim level of the 2022 Hyundai Palisade is called the SE model. It has a starting cost of $33,600. The Limited trim comes in at $45,850 and the top trim level, the Calligraphy, comes in at $47,290. Keep in mind, these are just starting prices and will go up when adding AWD as well as various packages and options.

The best value pick among the Palisade's trim levels is the mid-tier SEL model. It starts out at $35,950 and has the best balance of features and cost. The higher trim levels do add a few nice feature, but for the most part, their significantly higher prices are due to their more upscale interiors. Things get extra posh and luxurious at the top of the trim-level chain with the Palisade.

The 2022 Kia Telluride starts out at $33,390 for its base LX trim level. The top trim level is called the SX model and it begins at $43,290. The best bargain of the bunch is the S trim that starts at $35,890. Like the Palisade SEL model, the Telluride's S trim has the best features-to-cost ratio. Overall, every comparable trim level for these two SUVs offers very similar features and nearly identical performance specs.

The Telluride offers more value, but not by much. The difference in price of the base trims is only $210. When comparing their best bargain trim levels, the Telluride comes out just $60 cheaper. Things get more interesting when comparing the highest trim levels. The Palisade then becomes significantly more expensive and doesn't really offer much more in terms of the features.

While the top trim for the Palisade doesn't offer more or significantly better features than the cheaper Telluride, it does use far superior materials for the interior. The interior of the Hyundai Palisade at this level is more comfortable and far more luxurious than the Kia Telluride's top trim. Many buyers will find the extra cost worth it for the upscale interior. Still, if we're talking about pure value, the Kia Telluride ultimately comes out on top here.

Which Is Better?

Rarely are two vehicles compared and so evenly matched as the 2022 Hyundai Palisade and the 2022 Kia Telluride. They offer the exact same performance specs, the same amount of room for passengers and nearly identical amounts of cargo space. They offer comparable steering, handling and ride quality. Even their convenience and safety features are nearly identical at each comparable trim level.

Both vehicles have similar starting prices and almost identical prices when comparing their best-bargain trim levels. The Kia Telluride offers better value, but not by a significant margin. If you have the money and are going for the most luxurious experience, then the Hyundai Palisade is the better car, but only when comparing the top trims.

If the buyer is more practical-minded and doesn't care about wood trim and rich-leathers seats, then either SUV should do just fine. A choice can simply be made based on the appearance of the vehicles according to the buyer's personal tastes. There's nothing else significantly different here to matter.