2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Kia Telluride bursts onto the scene with a punchy 291 hp, offering immediate, satisfying acceleration paired with a highly refined cabin experience. Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade counters with a slightly bolder stance, evidenced by its 199.2-inch length compared to the Telluride's 196.9 inches, promising a potentially more imposing road presence. While both midsize crossovers prioritize passenger comfort, the Telluride pulls ahead slightly in efficiency, achieving a 22 MPG combined versus the Palisade's 21 MPG combined, using regular unleaded fuel in both cases. Performance parity is nearly identical, with the Telluride offering 262 lb-ft of torque against the Palisade's 260 lb-ft. Crucially, the Telluride commands a $3,045 lower starting MSRP at $36,390, which significantly sweetens its overall proposition against the $39,435 Palisade for buyers seeking near-identical utility.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride is the commuter's choice due to its superior combined fuel economy of 22 MPG.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Telluride offers marginally more cargo space at 21 cu ft compared to the Palisade's 19.1 cu ft, slightly favoring family hauling needs.
2025 Kia Telluride
Enthusiasts will marginally prefer the Telluride for its extra 4 horsepower, delivering 291 hp versus the Palisade's 287 hp.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Telluride wins on value by offering a $3,045 lower MSRP while delivering better efficiency.
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- You prioritize the best efficiency available, boasting a 22 MPG combined rating.
- You need the lowest entry price point, starting at $36,390 MSRP.
- You value slightly more space for gear, given its 21 cu ft cargo capacity.
Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...
- You prefer a slightly larger footprint, as the 2026 Palisade is longer at 199.2 inches.
- You prefer the refined shifting feel provided by the Palisade's shiftable 8-speed automatic transmission.
- You are willing to pay a $3,045 premium for the 2026 model's specific styling updates and features.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Telluride | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.9" | 199.2" |
| Width | 78.3" | 78.0" |
| Height | 68.9" | 69.5" |
| Wheelbase | 114.2" | 116.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.8 L | 3.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6000 rpm | 287 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/26 MPG | 19/25 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 21 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 376.0/488.8 mi. | 361.0/475.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8 gal. | 19.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.9 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 44.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.6 in. | 61.4 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.9 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.2 in. | 61.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 58.0 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 18 x 8.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P245/60R18 | 235/65R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
How much more efficient is the 2025 Kia Telluride than the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
The Telluride holds a slight edge in efficiency, rated at 22 MPG combined (20 city/26 highway). The Palisade returns 21 MPG combined (19 city/25 highway), meaning the Telluride saves marginally more on fuel over time.
Is the price difference significant between these two models?
Yes, the 2025 Kia Telluride has a $3,045 lower starting MSRP at $36,390 compared to the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, which begins at $39,435.
Does one offer significantly more power for spirited driving?
Not significantly; the Telluride generates 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, just edging out the Palisade’s 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both use regular unleaded fuel.
Which crossover provides more room for luggage?
The 2025 Telluride offers 21 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row. The 2026 Palisade trails slightly with 19.1 cubic feet in the same configuration.
Are the dimensions very different between the two vehicles?
They are very similar in overall size, though the Palisade is slightly taller at 69.5 inches compared to the Telluride’s 68.9 inches, and marginally longer at 199.2 inches versus 196.9 inches.
How does the transmission setup differ?
Both utilize an 8-speed automatic, but the 2026 Hyundai Palisade specifies a 'shiftable' automatic, suggesting manual control over gear selection, which may appeal to some drivers.
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