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The Hyundai Palisade may be closely related to the Kia Telluride, but they are far from identical. The Telluride is the more popular midsize SUV for a reason. That reason is plain to see via a side-by-side comparison of the base model specs.

The Hyundai Palisade doesn’t have this Kia Telluride standard feature

The interior of a Hyundai Palisade.
The seats of the Hyundai Palisade | Hyundai

One of the many reasons that consumers love the Kia Telluride is because of its snazzy standard features. The Telluride provides great value for a price that’s hard to beat. The Palisade SE doesn’t come with the same standard features as the Kia Telluride LX. In fact, the Palisade SE’s lack of a few Telluride standard features is exactly why some consumers prefer the Telluride.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade SE comes standard with cloth seats. The 2023 Kia Telluride comes standard with SynTex seat trim. This grade of seating material is often offered on upper trim levels. SynTex seat trim is more comfortable than cloth seats, and it looks more attractive.

The 2023 Kia Telluride comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel

The interior of a Hyundai Palisade.
The interior of a 2023 Hyundai Palisade | Hyundai

The 2023 Kia Telluride comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Leather-wrapped steering wheels are often only standard on final trim level or upper trim level models.

The Telluride’s standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and SynTex seat trim make it more desirable than the Hyundai Palisade for many drivers. It gives the midsize SUV a luxury feel that’s usually reserved for models with a higher starting price. Note that the Kia Telluride is slightly more expensive than the Palisade, but the tradeoff is the inclusion of creature comforts like these.

2023 Hyundai Palisade vs. 2023 Kia Telluride

A blue 2023 Hyundai Palisade midsize SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade | Hyundai

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade starts at $35,550. It uses a 3.8-liter V6 engine to make 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The midsize SUV gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway.

The 2023 Kia Telluride has the same engine, power output, and similar gas mileage as the Palisade. The Telluride and Palisade have more of the same features at upper trim levels, so it seems like the main difference is between the base models. Car and Driver and Edmunds both give the Telluride higher overall scores than the Palisade. So, the Hyundai Palisade may be the closest midsize SUV to the Kia Telluride, but there is definitely a difference between the two models.

What are the best midsize SUVs of 2023?

A gray 2023 Toyota Highlander midsize SUV is driving on a rooftop.
The 2023 Toyota Highlander | Toyota

Some of the best midsize SUVs of 2023 include the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Passport, and the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The Telluride and Palisade predictably top ranking lists.

One of the best-selling midsize SUVs is a popular Toyota model that deserves consideration. The 2023 Toyota Highlander offers incredible value for drivers looking for a family hauler that’s in it for the long haul. A Highlander can last for 300,000 miles when well-maintained. The 2023 Highlander is praised for its great standard tech features and reliability.

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