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The Hyundai Motor Co. Palisade sports utility vehicle (SUV) is displayed during AutoMobility LA ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show

Are the 2021 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride the Same?

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade and 2021 Kia Telluride are very similar and have great safety ratings. However, there are a few differences that separate the two. The Kia Telluride has more cargo space, for instance. The Hyundai Palisade interior has a luxurious feeling.

Did someone say twinsies? Because the 2021 Kia Telluride and 2021 Hyundai Palisade might be twinning. They are both excellent SUV options to buy, but are the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade the same? Let’s see how they stack up. 

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade vs. the 2021 Kia Telluride 

According to U.S. News, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade and 2021 Kia Telluride are pretty similar. While they aren’t identical twins, they could be fraternal. That means they were born at the same time with similar DNA but didn’t look the same. 

2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy parked on display with a dusk sky in the background
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy on display | Hyundai

You can see the differences. The Kia Telluride is boxy with a confident look that Americans love to see with their trucks and SUVs. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Palisade is a little curvier with more striking headlights. 

The Hyundai Palisade begins at about $32,675, while the Kia Telluride starts at about $32,190. These prices are listed before the dealership, and destination fees have been added. The Palisade starts a little higher because it’s the luxury option. 

Is the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade better? 

Answering this question may come down to personal preferences. The 2021 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride ride on the same platform, and they’re powered by the same 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. They can tow up to 5,000 lb when properly equipped and can both be equipped with all-wheel drive. 

Edmunds noted that the Kia Telluride is fun to drive despite having an average acceleration, like the Palisade. It has a confident brake pedal that provides smooth stops and doesn’t have too much body roll. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride parked in dirt
2021 Kia Telluride | Kia

When Edmunds tested the Hyundai Palisade, they mentioned that it has strong and predictable braking with smooth stops. It feels a little large like the Telluride but handles fine without much body roll.  

While the Telluride is described as extremely comfortable with a quiet cabin, the Palisade is peacefully quiet. Both SUVs offer three rows with plenty of space for adults. The seats are considered to be supportive and comfortable. 

Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade features 

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade interior features an upscale, luxurious feel. The second row is easy to access, and the seats move forward with the push of a button for third-row access. The Telluride may have limited legroom in the front row but features a similar upscale interior. 

The Kia Telluride offers more cargo space with up to 21 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and up to 87 cubic feet total. With the Palisade, you get 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats with up to 86.4 cubic feet total. 

Both SUVs come with a standard 8-inch touch screen infotainment system that can be upgraded to a 10.2-inch screen. They come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, five USB ports, and HD radio.

Plus, both SUVs offer an optional intercom system. But the Telluride comes with standard push-button start and remote start, while these features are optional with the Palisade. 

The Kia Telluride is slightly safer than the Hyundai Palisade, but they both received excellent safety ratings from the IIHS and NHSTA. The Telluride provides standard blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert, while these features are optional with the Palisade.

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