As winter sets in for many parts of the country, a reliable vehicle becomes even more important. Buyers looking for a new SUV would be wise to check out the reliability ratings for whichever SUVs they’re considering. One great spot to do that is with Consumer Reports. That group recently released a list suggesting some of the most reliable new midsize SUVs available today, which includes both the 2021 Hyundai Palisade and the 2021 Kia Telluride.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is twins with the Kia Telluride

Consumer Reports found that some of the most popular midsize SUVs were also among the least reliable. Luckily, there are others to take a look at. The top two on Consumer Reports’ list of most reliable midsize SUVs (ordered by their overall scores) are the 2021 Kia Telluride and the 2021 Hyundai Palisade.

There’s a reason that both the 2021 Telluride and the 2021 Palisade appear on Consumer Reports’ list of reliable SUVs since the two share a number of mechanical parts. That includes their 3.8-liter V6 engine, which produces 291 hp and is matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Consumer Reports explains that while both SUVs scored well in its testing, the Telluride scored a bit better than the Palisade due to slight differences in “ride, handling, braking, and control layout.” The Telluride has a slightly nicer ride and doesn’t have the confusing gear selector that the Palisade has. It also comes standard with a blind-spot warning.

Both the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride come with long warranties just in case they aren’t as reliable as expected. The Palisade has a powertrain warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles and a basic warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade

Overall, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade has a lot going for it. It has a four out of five for both reliability and for predicted owner satisfaction from Consumer Reports for 2021. The 2021 model year Palisade has the new Calligraphy trim, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus standard LED headlamps. When it’s equipped, the 2021 Palisade is able to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

This three-row SUV can seat seven or eight people, depending on whether the middle seats are two bucket seats or a bench seat. The third-row seats are snug, but that is normal for a midsize SUV. The Palisade is comfortable to drive, although its “handling isn’t particularly nimble,” according to Consumer Reports. In Consumer Reports’ tests, the 2021 Palisade got 15 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway, and 21 MPG overall.

It has a quiet interior with nice finishes and features; however, Consumer Reports found its push-button gear selector to be “unintuitive” to use. It comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance, driver monitoring, and rear occupant alert. Blind-spot warning is also available.

How Consumer Reports determines reliability

Consumer Reports determines its reliability ratings for vehicles through the results of its annual survey sent out to members. The most recent survey collected responses on 329,000 vehicles from model years 2000 through 2020. Information is collected across 17 categories on problems experienced with the vehicles over the past 12 months. The vehicles are also compared to similar vehicles from the same model year. 

Predicted reliability ratings come from the recent history of the vehicle if it hasn’t just been redesigned. The Hyundai Palisade was a new model for 2020, according to Consumer Reports. The 2021 ratings would have taken last year’s results into account as well as Hyundai’s track record and the ratings of similar models like the Telluride.

The 2021 Kia Telluride may be ranked just ahead of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, but they are very similar midsize SUVs. Both have very good reliability backed up by long warranties, and both are recommended by Consumer Reports.