The 2022 Kia Telluride and 2022 Hyundai Palisade are two of the best three-row SUVs on the market today. Their versatility, space, and style make them hugely popular with families. So how can you decide between them? If you’re torn between the 2022 Kia Telluride vs the 2022 Hyundai Palisade, there are a few factors that can help you make up your mind.

Which is better, the 2022 Kia Telluride or 2022 Hyundai Palisade?

The 2022 Kia Telluride vs the 2022 Hyundai Palisade: which is better? While there’s not a huge difference between these two three-row midsize SUVs, Consumer Reports says that the Telluride has a slight advantage. Mechanically, the Telluride and Palisade are twins. They each have a 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes 291-hp and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

While both SUVs are similarly powerful, Consumer Reports notes that the Kia Telluride doesn’t necessarily handle well, “with noticeable body roll in turns.” Yet “it zipped through our avoidance-maneuver test—where we simulate an emergency swerve around an obstacle—at an impressive 53.5 mph, a testament to its composure and well-tuned electronic stability control system.”

Still, it isn’t like the Palisade is a dream in that sense. “The Palisade rides comfortably, but handling is not particularly nimble,” writes Consumer Reports. It continues, “Handling is sound but doesn’t feel agile due to lackluster steering and some body roll during routine driving.”

The Telluride and Palisade both have compact third rows

When families are looking for a three-row SUV, it’s likely because they have children that will regularly or occasionally need to sit in the third row. And while the Telluride and Palisade both have third rows that are more spacious than some of their competitors (the Toyota Highlander comes to mind), they’re both still somewhat compact. That means that if your children are older, you may not have many years left that they’ll want to sit in the very rear of the SUV.

That said, the interior of both the Telluride and the Palisade is very nice. They each have an upscale feel. Of the Telluride, Consumer Reports says the “Telluride’s cabin has a pleasing mix of soft-touch surfaces, nicely-styled imitation wood, and satin-finish trim.” Of the Palisade, it says, “Hyundai did a nice job varying textures and colors of the trim pieces throughout the cabin, and a good portion of the door panels are padded (not a given in this class).”

Which is more expensive, the Palisade or Telluride?

The 2022 Kia Telluride price starts at $33,090 and goes up to $44,890. On the other hand, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade begins at $33,350 and can reach $48,740 for the Palisade Calligraphy.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade is slightly more expensive, but it’s likely not a big enough difference to make you drop it from your shortlist of SUVs. In fact, what might sway you in the direction of the Palisade despite its several hundred dollar more cost difference is its safety ratings. The Hyundai Palisade is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, while the Kia Telluride is just a Top Safety Pick. This is because of the available headlights. While the Hyundai Palisade has good available headlights, the Telluride’s headlights are rated marginal and poor.

If you have kids and you’re torn between the 2022 Kia Telluride vs the 2022 Hyundai Palisade, you’re not alone. These two SUVs are both excellent and they’re so similar that it makes sense that you’d be undecided between them. Yet the Hyundai Palisade’s headlights give it a distinct advantage over the Kia Telluride, and that just might be worth choosing the Palisade.