It seems like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade have been dominating the top SUV charts for years. But is that fair? Aren’t the 2023 Kia Telluride and the 2023 Hyundai Palisade basically the same? Well, let’s find out. 

2023 Kia Telluride vs. 2023 Hyundai Palisade 

The 2023 Kia Telluride and the 2023 Hyundai Palisade are actually pretty similar, but they aren’t identical. They’re like a pair of siblings. We wouldn’t say that they’re identical twins, but they have the same parents. 

Both SUVs ride on the same platform, which is a modified version of the Kia Sorento’s platform. So, that throws another sibling or cousin into the mix. The Palisade and Telluride have the same 114.2-inch wheelbase. 

However, the Telluride is slightly larger by almost an inch. This helps it contribute more cargo and passenger space, but it might be hard to notice in person. Also, the Telluride has a slightly taller ground clearance. 

Does the Telluride or Palisade have a better performance? 

The 2023 Kia Telluride and the 2023 Hyundai Palisade have the same standard engine. The 3.8-liter V6 unit churns out 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. According to Edmunds, the Telluride and Palisade can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. 

Both SUVs have a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and a polished ride quality. But they could feature more responsive handling and a little more athleticism. 

The Telluride got a slightly higher score in terms of comfort. The seats provide more padding for long rides, and the interior is peacefully quiet. It seems like a near-luxury SUV and could have a more comfortable third-row seat. 

The 2023 Telluride gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg on the highway. The 2023 Palisade rings in with an EPA-estimated 19 mph in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. Adding all-wheel drive could reduce these figures by one or two mpg. 

When properly equipped, the Telluride can tow up to 5,500 lbs, and the Palisade maxes out at 5,000 lbs. The Telluride can carry a payload of up to 1,642 lbs, and the Palisade can carry up to 1,570 lbs. 

The Palisade XRT features 20-inch wheels, skid plates, and roof rails. The Telluride X-Pro takes things a bit further with 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, unique suspension tuning, a slight suspension lift, and enhanced traction control. 

Does the Palisade or Telluride have better features? 

The 2023 Kia Telluride and 2023 Hyundai Palisade have a similar layout with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment system, wireless charging pad, built-in navigation, and optional premium audio system. 

However, the Palisade is viewed as the more luxurious option. You can add massaging seats, power-folding third-row seats, heard seats in the third row, quilted leather inserts, and up to seven USB ports. The Palisade can connect to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa too. 

So the Telluride can tow a little more and has a bit more off-roading grit, while the Palisade can be equipped with more bells and whistles. But both SUVs have a similar ride quality and a similar amount of space.