2022 Hyundai Palisade vs. 2022 Kia Telluride: Price, Features, and Fuel Economy Compared

These two three-row mid-size SUVs are neck and neck in every category.

Nick Kurczewski | 

Apr 15, 2022 | 3 min read

Hyundai/Kia

The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride have a lot in common. Built by different brands within the same company, these three-row SUVs share a chassis, a 291-hp V6 engine, and many safety and convenience features. Head and legroom are nearly identical, as are their starting prices and fuel economy. In fact, the two are so closely matched, your decision might come down to something as subjective as styling — whether you prefer the Palisade’s bold front end or the Telluride’s more rugged-looking appearance.

Hyundai

Price

The Telluride has a starting price of $34,345, just $250 below the Palisade’s entry fee of $34,595. Each lineup has four trim levels, all of which offer all-wheel drive. That option costs $1,700 on Palisades and between $1,900 and $2,000 on Tellurides.

The Hyundai is notable for its range-topping Calligraphy trim, which turns this family-friendly SUV into a luxurious conveyance for $48,285. Such models come with all of the one-step-down Limited’s kit, including a surround-view camera, a 10.3-inch infotainment system, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a head-up display, heated and ventilated first- and second-row seating, and a dual-pane sunroof, plus a few trim-exclusive features such as quilted leather upholstery, a faux-suede headliner, side-mirror puddle lights, and unique exterior trim.

The highest-reaching Telluride is the SX, which starts at $44,245. It, too, comes full of features, yet it can’t match the Palisade Calligraphy in terms of luxury appointments.

Kia

Features

Each of these SUVs can be had with a second-row bench or dual captain’s chairs, seating eight or seven people. They also come with an impressive roster of driver-assistance features, including blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. And given how similar these two vehicles are beneath their sheetmetal, the packaging of various comfort, safety, and tech options is perhaps their biggest differentiator.

Kia fits a 10.3-inch infotainment screen in every model. If you want that display in the Palisade — where an 8-inch unit is standard — you’ll have to upgrade to at least the one-step-up-from-base SEL trim. And even then, it’s optional, requiring the $3,200 Premium package (leather seating surfaces, heated second-row seats, an in-car intercom, and a power-folding third row) and the $2,400 Convenience pack (LED taillights, a hands-free liftgate, 20-inch alloy wheels, a digital gauge cluster, wireless device charging, acoustic window glass, and third-row USB ports).

The Telluride doesn’t offer a power-folding third row or a digital instrument panel, but it does come standard with proximity key entry — something that’s unavailable on base Palisades.

Hyundai

Fuel Economy

Differences between the Palisade’s and Telluride’s Environmental Protection Agency figures are tiny. In front-wheel drive configuration, the Hyundai returns 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, while the Kia delivers 20 and 26 mpg, respectively. With all-wheel drive, both SUVs score 19 mpg city and 24 highway.

Nick Kurczewski

Nick Kurczewski is a freelance automotive journalist based in the New York metro area. With approximately 20 years of experience, he has covered all aspects of the car world, from the pit lane at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, to car shows around the world, and a Zamboni lesson in Lower Manhattan. He’s also adept at providing helpful car advice and steering people towards the ideal car, truck, or SUV for their driving needs.