2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Kia Telluride

During our time in Texas, we experienced the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models, which featured refreshed front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride offered new paint colors like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with interior colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, boasting a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro added exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. Inside, the Telluride introduced a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch glass piece, pushing the SUV into a modern era.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, making it easily recognizable among family-friendly SUVs. Available in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy, and the new Calligraphy Night Edition trims, the Palisade offered a range of options. The Calligraphy Night Edition, with its blacked-out appearance and Hyper White paint, featured a luxurious interior with artificial suede headliner and quality upholstery. The Palisade's interior exuded sophistication, with metal speaker grilles and striped dashboard and door trim, making it feel like a luxury SUV.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its mechanical prowess with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered driving modes like Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for power distribution. The Telluride X-Line averaged 24.1 mpg, while the X-Pro returned 20.4 mpg, with official EPA ratings at 21 mpg combined for AWD models. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with a raised suspension, improved ground clearance, and a new Downhill Brake Control system. The X-Pro model, with its all-terrain tires and increased towing capacity, excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its stability and traction control. On highways, the Telluride provided a smooth, quiet ride, though the off-road tires made it feel slightly squishier in turns.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade also featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered driving modes like Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with an AWD system that could lock power distribution. The Palisade's V6 provided ample power and smooth acceleration, with the transmission always in the right gear. It averaged 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode, slightly below the EPA's 21 mpg combined rating for AWD models. The Palisade's suspension was tuned for a firmer ride, offering excellent visibility and maneuverability in city driving. On mountain roads, it displayed athleticism with predictable handling and reliable brakes. Overall, the Palisade delivered a pleasant driving experience, though real-world fuel economy was less impressive.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row offered manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets, while the third row was more accessible and comfortable than many competitors. Cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. A smart power tailgate with proximity-sensing made loading easy, though it could open unintentionally.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered various seating options, from cloth seats in the SE trim to premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts in the Calligraphy Night Edition. Heated and ventilated front seats were available, with memory settings and massage functions in higher trims. The Palisade's interior was configurable, with storage options between the front seats and under the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain’s chairs with heating and ventilation, while the third row was spacious and comfortable. The Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with seats folded. A hands-free power tailgate was standard from SEL trim, though it could be inconvenient if triggered unintentionally.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and Kia Connect services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. The Kia Access app allowed remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with over-the-air updates and dual Bluetooth connectivity. The Telluride included Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, and digital-key technology. A Full Display Mirror and head-up display with expanded information were also available, along with a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth for two devices, Bluelink+ services, Wi-Fi, and SiriusXM. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable, though wireless charging was standard from SEL trim. Bluelink+ provided connected services at no cost for original owners, including remote engine start and safe teen driving features. The Palisade featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, digital key function, digital rearview mirror, and semi-autonomous remote parking. The head-up display showed comprehensive data, though it struggled with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a new junction turning system. It also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Telluride included adaptive cruise control with curve speed control, Highway Drive Assist 1.5, and Highway Drive Assist 2.0 with Lane Change Assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured the SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also offered lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, intersection assist, safe exit assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Highway Driving Assist paired adaptive cruise control with curve speed control and lane-centering assist, with lane-change assist available in higher trims. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete.