2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Kia Telluride

When shopping for a midsize SUV, it's hard to ignore the buzz around the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and the 2025 Kia Telluride. These two popular SUVs have a lot in common--spacious interiors, advanced tech, and top-notch safety--but they also have unique strengths that might make one a better fit for your needs.

To help you decide, let's take a closer look at what each vehicle brings to the table across key areas like pricing, comfort, and features. Whether you're after luxury, practicality, or a bit of both, we've got you covered.

Both SUVs are competitively priced, with only a small gap between them. The 2025 Hyundai Palisade starts at around $36,800, while the 2025 Kia Telluride starts a bit lower, at approximately $36,190. However, the Palisade more preferable options in the its entry level trim, the SE, making it a better option for those where price might not be the only factor in their buying decision. 

If you're looking for higher trims, the Palisade's Calligraphy trim is a unique choice for its luxury feel and premium features. On the other hand, the Telluride's SX Prestige X-Pro trim is geared toward adventure, offering rugged capability with a touch of refinement.

Both the Palisade and Telluride offer three rows of seating, making them perfect for families or anybody who might need a little extra room. However, they cater to slightly different tastes when it comes to comfort. The Palisade is designed with comfort in mind. Higher trims offer quilted leather upholstery, ventilated seats, and even a massage function for the driver. The ride is smooth and quiet, which is ideal for long trips. The Telluride, on the other hand, has a more rugged design, so while its seats are supportive, they don't quite match the Palisade's luxury feel in premium trims. Cargo space is almost identical between the two, but the Palisade's power-folding third-row seats and easy-to-use storage options make it a little more versatile for busy families.

When it comes to safety, you really can't go wrong with either the Palisade or Telluride. Both SUVs come with a strong suite of advanced driver-assistance features and have earned high safety ratings. The Palisade includes Hyundai SmartSense, featuring tools like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist II, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Telluride is equipped with Kia Drive Wise, which offers similar features like Forward Collision Warning and Lane Keeping Assist. Both SUVs have received a 50star safety rating from the NHTSA and the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, giving peace of mind no matter which one you choose.

While both SUVs have upscale interiors, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade takes things a step further, especially in its top trims. The Palisade offers a refined, modern design with premium touches like ambient lighting, high-quality materials, and a sleek dual 12.3-inch panoramic display that integrates the instrument cluster and infotainment screen seamlessly. The Telluride also boasts a stylish interior, but it leans more toward a rugged aesthetic. While well-built, it doesn't quite match the Palisade's upscale feel in the premium trims. Both SUVs provide you thoughtful touches like USB ports in every row and available premium audio systems, but the Palisade's luxurious details make it feel a step above.

Technology is a strong suit for both vehicles, but the Palisade edges out the Telluride with some unique features. Some of the Palisade's highlights are Remote Smart Parking Assist, a head-up display, and the Hyundai Digital Key (which lets you use your smartphone as a key). Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the infotainment system is intuitive and responsive. The Telluride has similar tech offerings, but it doesn't include extras like digital key functionality. Both SUVs provide excellent connectivity and entertainment options, but the Palisade's cutting-edge innovations set it apart.

In terms of fuel efficiency, there's little difference between the two SUVs. Both offer 19 MPG city / 26 MPG highway with front-wheel drive, with slightly lower numbers for all-wheel drive models. These numbers are respectable for midsize SUVs but don't expect standout fuel economy from either.