2024 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Kia Telluride was offered in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The rugged X-Line treatment was available for all but the LX and S, while the X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims. The X-Line package added standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with a center locking differential, increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, improved approach and departure angles, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package further enhanced the Telluride with 18-inch matte-black wheels, all-terrain tires, and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. Prices ranged from $35,990 to $53,185, excluding the destination charge. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package, featuring Wolf Gray paint and floor mats, had an MSRP of $54,270, including the destination charge.

The Telluride's design attracted buyers with its appealing forms and proportions, despite mixed reactions to last year’s styling updates. The Wolf Gray paint complemented the blacked-out X-Line styling, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the test car featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other color options like Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black, dark blue, and Sage Green were available, each complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim. However, the shiny plastic covering the interior's lower portions was a downside, especially in the SX Prestige, which otherwise nearly met luxury SUV standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, and classy metallic accents.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. It was available in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy, and the new Calligraphy Night Edition trims. Prices ranged from $36,650 to $53,850, excluding the destination charge. The Calligraphy Night Edition, with extra-cost Hyper White paint and carpeted floor mats, had an MSRP of $55,930. While lower trims came with front-wheel drive (FWD), the Calligraphy Night Edition featured AWD and a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim, badges, and wheels. It was offered only in Abyss Black or Hyper White paint colors, paired with a black interior featuring leather with artificial suede inserts.

The Palisade’s interior, especially in the Calligraphy Night Edition, exuded luxury with its artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and sophisticated design. The interior’s overall sophistication made it feel like a luxury SUV, despite being a mass-market midsize family vehicle. The Palisade’s design and features made it a compelling choice for those who appreciated its unique styling and upscale interior.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which increased to 5,500 pounds with the X-Pro package. The AWD version included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. The Telluride had a ground clearance of 8.0 inches, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and featured a self-leveling rear suspension.

The Telluride provided easy acceleration to freeway speeds and good passing power, though it wasn’t very fuel-efficient. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, but real-world testing showed an average of 19 mpg on a mountainous loop and 17.5 mpg in city driving. Despite its fuel economy, the Telluride offered a refined driving experience with brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control, responsive steering, and brakes that resisted rumble and fade. Its ride was firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, making it capable on winding roads and off-road trails.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade also featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and eight inches of ground clearance. The Palisade provided several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, and allowed the AWD system to be locked for off-road travel.

The V6 engine delivered satisfying acceleration, and the transmission was adept at selecting the right gear. The AWD system distributed power effectively on dirt and gravel roads. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving for AWD models, but testing showed an average of 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode. The Palisade’s suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride, with excellent outward visibility and a top-down surround-view camera aiding city driving. It displayed some athleticism on mountain roads, with predictable handling and brakes that withstood abuse without issues.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable interior, especially in higher trims. The SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar massage, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row seat suitable for adults. A dual sunroof added light to the interior. The controls were oriented horizontally, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use. However, metallic finish buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight.

The Telluride included thoughtful details like a digital instrumentation panel with scenic landscape views, generous storage space, and a hands-free power liftgate. It offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet. The X-Line and X-Pro trims provided useful roof rails for additional cargo capacity.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts in the Calligraphy Night Edition. Heated and ventilated front seats were available, with memory settings and an Ergo Motion massage function for the driver in higher trims. The Calligraphy Night Edition featured a black interior with simulated suede seat inserts.

The Palisade provided configurable storage, with a console-top tray, a large storage bin, and a wireless smartphone charger. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain’s chairs with optional heating and ventilation, and the top trims included heated third-row seats and a dual-panel sunroof. The Palisade offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 86.4 cubic feet.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Bluetooth pairing, satellite radio, wireless charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Kia Connect plans provided various features, including remote engine starting and over-the-air updates. The Telluride included a blue-light filter, Quiet Mode, and a digital key function. A camera-based rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display were available, along with a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, Bluelink+ services, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable. The Palisade offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a digital key function, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display provided navigation instructions and safety feature status, though it didn’t work well with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Kia Telluride included the Kia Drive Wise suite with collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. Safety upgrades included front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured the SmartSense suite with forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. The SEL Premium package added lane-change assist and a surround-view camera system. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete.