Two SUVs that come from the same family but are very different are the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade.

Both brands fall under the Hyundai Company, but each of these three-row midsize SUVs does something different to give you a choice you’ll have to make. While the Palisade and the Telluride both entered the market in 2020, and both were instantly the largest SUVs in their brand lineup, these two SUVs do things just a bit differently. That’s what we’re going to talk about today so that you can figure out which one is right for you.

Reliability for These Two is Like Kissing Your Sister

The old saying goes, “having a tie is like kissing your sister,” this is something no one wants, but we can often deal with it. When it comes to reliability, these two SUVs have a tie. They both score above average and give you excellent warranty coverages when you drive off the lot. At least that’s one item you won’t have to worry about when comparing these two vehicles.

Which One Has More Cargo Room?

Even though the two SUVs share a wheelbase, the Kia Telluride does have a bit more cargo room than the Hyundai Palisade. When you’re looking at the measurements, the Telluride offers 21 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet of space with the second and third rows folded down. The Palisade gives you 18 cubic feet in the rear, 45.8 cubic feet with one row down, and 86.4 cubic feet with both of the rear rows folded.

The SUV with More Interior Features Is…

Oh no, it’s another tie for a pair of SUVs that come from the same family. While that could be a shame, or we could come up with another old saying, the fact is, no matter which model you choose, you’re going to have a slew of impressive items to enjoy. Both models have an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and five USB ports to get you started.

Just a Slight Edge in Fuel Mileage

You might think the powertrains would provide us with another tie, but the fuel mileage comparison is another win for the Kia Telluride over the Hyundai Palisade. The win is only by a little bit, but a win is a win. The Telluride with FWD gives you 20 city/26 hwy mpg while the FWD Palisade offers 19 city/26hwy mpg. Both models offer 19 city/24 hwy mpg when equipped with AWD.

Which SUV Gives You the Most Safety Features?

Here we have another win for the Kia brand. The SUV from Kia is only slightly better at offering you the safety you need than the Hyundai. The Telluride brings you standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, both of which are extremely important when you’re considering overall safety. To get these items in the Palisade, you have to check off some options boxes and pay a little more.

Which SUV is the Most Affordable?

While the Telluride and Palisade are priced close to each other, the Kia model is a little more affordable. The starting price for a Telluride is $31,990, which is a little bit lower than what you find for the Palisade. If you’re shopping at the Hyundai lot, you’ll pay at least $32,525 for the Palisade, which makes the Kia a little more affordable.

The Most Comfortable Seats are Found In…

Another win for the Telluride. When you choose the Kia model, you’ll have standard synthetic leather upholstery that gives you a bit more of the comfortable feeling you’re looking for. The Palisade starts with cloth upholstery for the base model and requires you to pay more and upgrade to a higher trim if you want a higher-grade material for your drive.

Which One has a Higher Cabin Quality for You?

If you take away the upholstery, you will find that these two SUVs are pretty much the same when it comes to interior quality. They both offer a stylish appearance and a quiet ride to make sure you can enjoy your time out on the road. You’ll see soft-touch materials on the dashboards and elegant trim items to give you the complete package. We don’t think the seats should be the deciding factor since they were already rated, so we’re going to call the cabin quality a tie.

The SUV with the Better Powertrain Is…

Yes, you guessed it, another tie for these two models. Is it any wonder the Hyundai and Kia SUVs seem to be interchangeable, and brand preference and style are about all that separate them? Both of these SUVs use a 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes 291 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. This power is routed to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. You’ll find FWD as the standard setup, but AWD is optional. Enjoy the acceleration if you drive either of these SUVs.

Can One SUV Stand Out for Ride and Handling?

Not when you’re comparing vehicles that are so closely matched. Yes, we have another tie for the Telluride and Palisade when it comes to the ride quality and handling you’ll find. These two models are quick and nimble on the road, making it easy for you to maneuver about and enjoy a smooth drive to where you need to go.

Which SUV Should You Drive?

We’ve seen a lot of areas where the Kia and Hyundai three-row SUVs tie with each other. That is not a surprise considering they share a platform, wheelbase, powertrain, and several features. If you were to choose one of these models to drive, you would likely choose the Kia Telluride.

The Telluride is the clear winner of this comparison. Every category where there was a winner, it was the Telluride and not the Palisade. Even so, if you were to choose the Hyundai SUV, you would still find that you’ve chosen an impressive SUV with a lot for you to enjoy during your time behind the wheel.