The 2020 Kia Telluride and the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have basically been twinning all year. These two midsize SUVs offer almost identical driving experiences but have their own distinctive styles. While the Telluride and the Palisade are more alike than different, certain critics consider the Telluride to be the better option. 

Let’s start with the performance similarities

The Telluride and Palisade are powered by the same 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Both are also standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Agility isn’t the name of the game for either of these SUVs, but comfort is.

Critics praise the Telluride and the Palisade for their responsiveness and quick acceleration. According to Consumer Reports, these two models are decent for fuel economy; both returned 21 mpg overall in CR’s road test evaluations. It’s hard to go wrong with either of these SUVs. However, CR is among critics who explicitly recommend the Telluride over the Palisade. 

What does the Telluride do better than the Palisade?

In CR’s 2020 midsize SUV rankings, the Palisade earned high marks, but the Telluride scored a little higher. CR ranks the Telluride as its #1 midsize SUV for 2020; the Palisade sits at #2. Several subtleties account for the difference, according to CR road testers. 

For starters, the Palisade doesn’t feel as cushioned compared to its corporate relative. CR also thought that the Telluride is smoother in terms of handling, braking, and control layout. CR also found the Palisade’s gear selector to be tricky and unintuitive. 

The organization also notes that buyers may lean more toward the Palisade because it has smaller tires. Because of these nuances, CR gave the Palisade an 88 in its 2020 road test. The Telluride received a near-perfect score with a 97. 

The Telluride has other advantages on the inside

The Telluride and Palisade are nearly matched on the inside. Both offer spacious cabins that can seat up to eight people. What makes these two SUVs more likable is their upscale interior finishings. Either one of these options is ideal for those who want to get luxury on a budget. Plus, these two SUVs are standard with desirable infotainment systems that include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Depending on personal preference, you might want the Telluride because it comes standard with faux leather upholstery, while cloth seats are standard on the Palisade. Furthermore, CR thinks that the Telluride has an advantage over the Palisade when it comes to advanced safety.

Both SUVs come with many advanced safety features. That said, CR considers the Telluride as the smarter buy because it comes with blind-spot monitoring. This helpful feature is an upgrade on the Palisade. 

Pricing 

The Telluride and Palisade are similar in pricing. The 2020 Telluride’s starting price is $31,890, the base Palisade is $85. While this isn’t a huge difference, the Telluride’s standard features give it an edge over the Palisade price-wise.

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