2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

As Hyundai’s largest SUV, the Palisade had always been an imposing presence on the road. The 2023 styling update only enhanced this commanding look. The new front fascia sported bold strokes that framed fresh headlights and imbued the SUV with a more assertive stance. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights enhanced visibility and added a modern touch. LED taillights became a standard feature on the SEL trims and above, while the new, squared-off grille significantly altered the vehicle's front-view, making it more dominant.

Body-color mirrors, heated and powered with auto-dimming capabilities, were standard across all trims. The Calligraphy trim stood out with its body-color bumpers, premium rear accent lighting, a unique grille of glossy black and chrome, and a broader rear spoiler. Meanwhile, the new XRT trim showcased a darker grille, roof cross rails, body-color door handles, specialized bumper accents, and black 20-inch wheels.

The SE and SEL models came with 18-inch alloy wheels, although 20-inch wheels were available on the SEL and standard on higher trims. The multi-spoke alloy wheel design on the Calligraphy trim, while less striking than the previous design, conveyed a premium feel akin to that found in high-end fleets such as Uber Black. The new color choice for 2023, Robust Emerald, although subtle and elegant, replaced the earlier Rainforest option without making a significant departure from the grayscale palette.

Inside the Calligraphy-trim model, the Palisade's interior was both stylish and attractive, featuring premium Nappa leather and horizontal quilting reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz designs. Dark seats were brightened by the dual-pane sunroof, a standard feature in the XRT model. The base SE model offered cloth seats with a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Higher trims featured eight-way power-adjustable, heated front and passenger seats wrapped in leatherette for SEL and XRT trims, and full leather for Limited trims. The Limited and Calligraphy models included heated and ventilated seats in the first and second rows, while the third row was heated too.

Second-row seating came in a bench configuration for SE models but was optional for SEL and unavailable in higher trims, where second-row captain’s chairs were standard. This meant that those needing to seat eight passengers had to consider the lower trims, though the Premium package for SEL models allowed many of the higher-end features without sacrificing seating capacity.

By 2023, the Kia Telluride had adopted fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. New paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green added to its aesthetic appeal. The interior saw new colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green.

The Telluride X-Line replaced the previous Nightfall Edition, bringing with it a unique grille design, raised suspension, roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro model, designed for more rugged off-road capabilities, featured exclusive 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

Changes to the interior included a new digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system housed under a single curved 24-inch piece of glass, providing a futuristic feel. Interior revisions were minor but included new colors, trim changes, a new steering-wheel design, and an improved center console for increased functionality. Both the X-Line and X-Pro had their trim names embossed on the upper part of the front seatbacks.

The Telluride was offered in several trims: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The X-Line package was available for EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims, while the X-Pro was exclusive to SX and SX Prestige trims. Price-wise, the Telluride started at $35,690 for the LX with front-wheel drive and climbed up to $52,785 for the SX Prestige X-Pro with all-wheel drive, excluding the destination charge.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a single powertrain option: a 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain outperformed competitors like the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, was slightly more powerful than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder, and only trailed slightly behind the gas-powered Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission had standard paddle shifters for added driver control.

By default, the power was routed to the front wheels, but all-wheel drive (AWD) was a $1,900 option available on any trim. The HTRAC all-wheel drive system demonstrated its capabilities on a muddy off-road course in Asheville, NC, proving well-suited to slippery conditions.

Primarily geared towards comfort rather than hardcore off-roading, the Palisade offered a smooth ride that would appeal to most of its target audience. Its towing capacity stood at a competitive 5,000 pounds. AWD models came with a Tow Mode that optimized shifting for better performance while towing. Fuel economy numbers for front-wheel-drive models were 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models achieved 19 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined.

Mechanically, the 2023 Kia Telluride remained largely unchanged from prior models. It too featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with the AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting to evenly distribute power between front and rear wheels.

The Telluride's V6 engine made for a lively driving experience. During tests, the X-Line model achieved an average of 24.1 mpg, encompassing heavy traffic and twisty roads but mostly highway driving. The X-Pro model, owing to its off-road capabilities, returned 20.4 mpg, including a significant portion of off-roading. Official EPA figures for AWD models pegged fuel economy at 21 mpg combined.

Kia enhanced the Telluride's off-road capabilities with lifted suspension, increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, and improved approach and departure angles. The Telluride X-Pro's enhancements included 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, an improved cooling system raising the towing capacity to 5,500 pounds, and a self-leveling rear air suspension.

On a Texas hill country ranch, the Telluride exhibited robust off-road performance, showcasing its AWD Lock mode, all-terrain tires, and downhill brake control system effectively. While not built to match a Jeep or Land Rover on treacherous trails, it could certainly handle more than what most owners would demand.

Spaciousness marked the 2023 Hyundai Palisade interior, designed to comfortably seat seven or eight passengers. It offered 44.1 inches of front legroom, 42.4 inches in the second row, and 31.4 inches in the third row. The passenger volume totaled 155.3 cubic feet, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. Access to the third row was made easier by a standard one-touch seat slide and ingress/egress handles. The third row featured 60/40-split seats that folded flat, either manually in lower trims or via power switch in Limited and Calligraphy trims.

Cargo capacity was impressive: 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. A hands-free smart liftgate came standard on all but the base SE trim.

An accommodating host, the Palisade provided HVAC vents across all three rows and two cupholders per seat. The center console included a phone holder and space for a bag on the shelf below. Controls were smartly designed with physical buttons and knobs providing intuitive use, complemented by standard automatic dual-zone climate control in SEL trims and above.

The Telluride's interior also accommodated seven or eight passengers, contingent upon the second-row configuration. Test vehicles came equipped with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated first- and second-row captain’s chairs, with the SX Prestige trim even providing ventilated second-row seating.

The Telluride offered generous room, with both front seats proving comfortable over long drives. A new power lumbar stabilization system helped keep drivers alert over extended periods. Second-row amenities included manual side-window sunshades, adjustable inboard armrests, USB ports located on front seatbacks, and triple-zone climate controls.

A button on the second-row captain’s chairs eased entry to the third row, designed to accommodate larger adults more comfortably than many competitors. While not quite matching the Volkswagen Atlas for leg support and room, the Telluride did outperform many rivals in this area.

Storage options were plentiful, and the "smart" power tailgate with proximity-sensing simplified cargo loading. Cargo space was also generous: 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

For 2023, Hyundai upped the Palisade's tech game significantly. It became the first Hyundai model to offer Wi-Fi hotspot capability, standard across all trims. A 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system, also standard, offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth capability. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available on SEL models and standard on the Limited and Calligraphy. Up to two devices could be connected via Bluetooth and up to seven devices charged via USB ports spread across all trim levels. A wireless charger was standard on all except the base SE.

Drivers enjoyed either a 4.2-inch color driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, standard on the Limited and Calligraphy or optional on the SEL. Higher trims also featured a color head-up display and an in-car intercom system that facilitated communication between front and back-row occupants.

Hyundai's remote management features were particularly impressive. The Bluelink connected vehicle system, standard on all trims, allowed for remote viewing of vehicle status and control of heating and cooling seats using the mobile app. Digital Key 2 Touch, standard on SEL trims and up, enabled owners to use select Apple or Samsung devices to unlock and start the car, with customizable shared key options.

Kia also enhanced the Telluride's technology for 2023. A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system became standard, offering features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well but lacked climate control adjustment capability.

Through the Kia Access app, users could use Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for remote vehicle control. OTA updates ensured the infotainment system remained current. Six USB charging ports provided power for passengers in all rows.

Standard convenience features included Driver Talk, which projected the driver’s voice through stereo speakers for back-seat occupants, and Quiet Mode, which silenced rear speakers for sleeping passengers. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and digital-key technology. New for 2023 was the Full Display Mirror, offering a video view of the rear, beneficial when the cargo area was fully packed.

The Telluride continued to offer an optional HUD, now with a larger, full-color 10-inch display area showing additional information, including turn-by-turn navigation and driver assistance data. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, notifying distracted drivers when the car ahead moved, ensuring timely departures at traffic lights.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade had earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, and the 2023 model was expected to maintain this high standard. Newly introduced passive features included second-row side-impact airbags, enhancing rear passenger protection.

Hyundai's Smart Sense suite was comprehensive. It included forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping and lane-following assist as standard. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance systems were now standard. Navigation-based smart cruise control, which adjusted speed for curves, and intelligent speed limit assist featured alongside Highway Driving Assist I for basic trims and Highway Driving Assist II with lane-change assist for higher trims.

The Palisade's full-display digital rearview mirror, standard on higher trims, helped enhance visibility, while standard safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert complemented the overall safety package, alerting drivers if occupants remained in the backseat after the vehicle was locked.

Kia bolstered the 2023 Telluride with an expansive suite of standard safety features and advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Every model included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, a new junction turning system, and automatic emergency braking.

Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Safe Exit Assist prevented door opening when unsafe, and adaptive cruise control adjusted speed based on road curves.

Highway Drive Assist 1.5 and 2.0 systems provided semi-autonomous driving, with the latter adding Lane Change Assist starting from SX trim. Top trims also offered front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and a blind-spot view monitor.

Vehicle safety was further bolstered by automatic high-beam headlights, driver attention warning, and a rear occupant alert system with ultrasonic sensors, which could detect movement in the rear seats and send alerts to the driver’s smartphone.