The Hyundai Palisade is Kia Telluride's upscale cousin. Both SUVs are designed on the same chassis with the same engines, so choosing between them will be based on standard features, upgrades, and style. We have researched the details to help you make a buying decision easier.
The Hyundai Palisade is slightly smaller than the Kia Telluride in its cargo bay. The difference is only 3 cubic feet. Both have the same cargo space with the 2nd and 3rd-rows folded down (86/46 cu. ft.). The differences between the SUVs are in the details.
Though the Kia Telluride is slightly larger in total cubic feet carrying space, the Hyundai Palisade's is intended to offer higher quality and luxury options. Hyundai makes reliable vehicles. Read on for a complete look at the Palisade and at Hyundai's quality and reliability.
What does the Hyundai Palisade share with the Kia Telluride?
In 1998 Hyundai Motor Company bought Kia Motors. They operate as separate companies but with cost-effective sharing of design details. The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride ride on the same shared platform: a unibody chassis with more in common with a car chassis than a truck chassis.
The Kia Telluride debuted in 2019 after a redesign off of the Kia Sorento. The Hyundai Palisade was unveiled in 2020 as a redesign of the Hyundai Sante Fe L.
Both the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride's base models come with 2/3/3 seating with 60/40 Split-Folding bench seats, and they come with 2/2/2 seating on the higher models with 2nd-row captain's chairs. They have reclining 3rd-row seats with 60/40 Split-Folding.
Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride Have Underfloor Cargo Bin
Lifting the floor in the cargo bay, you will find extra storage bins that are always available whether or not the rear seats are up or down. This extra space is possible because the compact spare tire is hanging under the back of the SUVs.
What are the differences between the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride?
The Kia Telluride comes in four trims beginning with an MSSP of $32,190, making it $3,135 less than a Palisade SE. The four trims of both the Telluride and Palisade can give you many of the same features. But the Palisade will have some higher quality finishes.
The cargo space on the Telluride offers 3 more cu. ft. of cargo space behind the 3rd-row seats than the Palisade because of the Power-Folding 3rd-row seats. The Telluride has 21 cu. ft. behind the 3rd-row in the cargo bay to the Palisades 18 cu. ft.
Is The Hyundai Palisade A Good SUV?
Yes, the Hyundai Palisade is a good SUV. Hyundai has designed the Palisade as a full-size SUV to compete with the luxury brand SUVs but at a more affordable price. Starting with an MSSP at $33,860 for the Palisade SE, this SUV offers a lot of value with its comfortable seating, a roomy interior, quality finishes, lots of safety features, and easy-to-use infotainment system.
These finishes complement an attractive interior with seating for 8-passengers with 60/40 Split-folding bench seating in the 2nd and 3rd-rows. The SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims come with 7-passenger seating standard with well-designed captain's chairs for the 2nd-row.
What about Power-Fold Seating?
Power-Fold seating is standard on the Limited and Calligraphy trims for the 3rd-row bench seat and the 2nd-row bench or captain's seats. It is an upgrade on the SEL. The buttons are found in the cargo bay frame.
In addition to the Power-Fold upgrade, all models have a push-button 2nd-row captain's chair slide for easier access to the 3rd-row seating. With a push of the button on the seat's shoulder, the back folds down as the seat slides forward.
What Kind of Engine Does the Palisade Have?
The Hyundai Palisade has a robust 291 HP 3.8 GDI (Gase Direct Injection) V6 engine called Lamda. Hyundai/Kia developed this engine originally in 2005 to give strong power for carrying the heaviest vehicles with good pulling power.
The Palisade and Kia Telluride both use this engine. They each can pull up to 5,000 pounds. An All-Wheel-Drive upgrade is available or standard on the later trims.
What Trims does the Hyundai Palisade Have?
The Hyundai Palisade has four trims:
- SE
- SEL
- Limited
- Calligraphy - All new in 2021.
The Palisade SE
The Palisade SE starts at an MSSP of $32,675 and has 2nd and 3rd-row 60/40 Split-Folding bench seats standard. This trim has the following standard:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Apple Carplay
- Android Auto
- Rear Occupant Alert
- Rear Seat Quiet Mode (rear speaker can be muted)
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped)
- Lane Following Assist
- Smart Cruise Control
- Trailer Sway Control
The Palisade SEL
A step up is the Palisade SEL with all the features of the SE plus the 2nd-row captain's chairs standard. The Palisade SEL has an MSSP of $35,325. Added features:
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
- Parking Distance Warning – Rear
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Safe Exit Assist (SEA) (rear doors will not open if hazard present)
- LED interior cabin lights
- Side mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators
The Palisade Limited
The Hyundai Palisade Limited takes a further step into luxury with leather standard, Power-Fold seating, heat steering wheel, heated 2nd-row seating. It starts at an MSSP of $45,275. Other great features are:
- Navigation with a 10.25-inch touchscreen
- SiriusXM® Radio
- Driver Talk (In-car intercom)
- Parking Distance Warning – Front
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- 630-watt Harman Kardon® premium audio with 12 speakers
- Dual panel sunroof
The Palisade Calligraphy
The 2021 Palisade Calligraphy is the pinnacle Hyundai SUV with all the touches to make it a class by itself with an MSSP of $46,200. Previously only available in South Korea, the Calligraphy has a special look with a premium front grille, 20-inch alloy wheels, and quilted leather door panels. Other great features include:
- All-Wheel-Drive
- Side mirror approach lights (puddle lights)
- Premium skid plates (front & rear)
- Premium side door garnish (quilted leather)
What Is The Difference Between the 2020 and 2021 Palisade?
The main difference between the two model years of the Hyundai Palisade is the addition of the Calligraphy trim to the model family. Beyond this addition, the only other changes are a $550-$1,800 price increase depending on the trip level.
What Makes Hyundai Different?
In 2019, Wired Magazine published an article on the most recent JD Power Initial Quality Survey. They found that Hyundai's Genesis brand was the top automaker globally for the reliability of initial quality. Kia was second, and Hyundai's main brand was third. Following the Koreans were Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, and then the Europeans.
The automakers' industry average is 93 problems per 100 vehicles in Initial Quality for 2019. Here are the top 5 according to for this JD Power Initial Quality Survey:
- Genesis - 63 problems per 100
- Kia - 70 problems per 100
- Hyundai - 71 problems per 100
- Ford - 80 problems per 100
- Lincoln - 81 problems per 100
What Is The Most Reliable Hyundai Car?
This 2019 JD Power Initial Quality Survey survey ranked Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis as the number one automaker. The Genesis vehicles include 3 sedans: G70, G80, and the G90, plus a brand new 2021 SUV, the GV90, with an MSRP of $55,150.
The Genesis brand, like Kia, is owned and a part of the Hyundai Motor Company family.
Do Hyundai Cars Last Long?
Edmonds.com's Hyundai Santa Fe forum with posts from 2010 to 2020 shows many Santa Fe owners with their vehicles still driving well after 200,000 miles. One owner says theirs has over 500,000 miles. All emphasize the need to do regular maintenance, including all oil changes.
The key to buying any used car is to check that individual vehicle's model and year. Some vehicle years are better than others. Some models have a great history, but for one year, when something was off in the design or the production.
What is the Warranty on the Hyundai Palisade?
As of May 2021, when you buy a new Hyundai Palisade, you will receive 3-year/36,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance. The warranty will be a 5-year, 60,000-mile basic, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain.
What Is The Largest SUV Hyundai Makes?
All three top-of-the-line SUVs in the Hyundai family are roughly the same size. The Palisade is the largest with the Hyundai brand name. But in the Hyundai family, the 2-row Genesis GV80 has the most cargo space. The specs of all three cargo bays are:
- Kia Telluride - 21 cu. ft.
- Hyundai Palisade - 18 cu. ft.
- Genesis GV80 - 33.9 cu. ft.
In Summary
The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are similar SUVs built on the same chassis but with different finishes. The Kia Telluride has 3 more cu. ft. of cargo space. The Hyundai Palisade has traded this small space differential for a Power-Folding 3rd-row bench. The best way to pick the best SUV for you between the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride is to get to the dealer and test drive them both.