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2020 Kia Telluride driving down paved road

The Kia Telluride Is More Reliable Than the Hyundai Palisade

What in the world? The Kia Telluride has a higher predicted reliability rating than the Hyundai Palisade! But Hyundai beat Kia for the best SUV brand, so how can this be? We know that Kia has been turning its bad reputation around, but we didn’t expect it to happen this quickly!  The Kia Telluride is …

What in the world? The Kia Telluride has a higher predicted reliability rating than the Hyundai Palisade! But Hyundai beat Kia for the best SUV brand, so how can this be? We know that Kia has been turning its bad reputation around, but we didn’t expect it to happen this quickly! 

The Kia Telluride is more reliable than the Hyundai Palisade 

If you’re having trouble choosing between the 2021 Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, their predicted reliability ratings may help you pick one. According to the U.S. News, the Kia Telluride is a better choice because of its higher predicted reliability rating, larger cargo capacity, and more upscale interior. 

2020 Kia Telluride and 2020 Hyundai Palisade
2020 Kia Telluride and 2020 Hyundai Palisade | Kia/Hyundai

But the Palisade and Telluride are both incredibly similar SUVs. Heck, Kia, and Hyundai are from the same city in South Korea and have incredibly close ties to one another. Hyundai owns 33.8 percent of Kia, while Kia owns 51 percent of Hyundai. So, they aren’t the same company, but they do work together. 

That’s a little off-topic, though. Let’s dig into the predicted reliability ratings to see why the Telluride is ranking higher than the Palisade despite having the same platform, engine, transmission, and more. 

How Reliable is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade? 

To be clear, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade doesn’t have a low predicted reliability rating. The Telluride just has a higher one. The Palisade actually has an above-average reliability rating with a score of four out of five from Consumer Reports.

2020 Hyundai Palisade driving on road
2020 Hyundai Palisade | Hyundai

Predicted reliability ratings are based on previous problems reported on older model years. For example, if the Palisade had a history of engine problems, it would bring the rating down for 2021. 

But because the 2020 Hyundai Palisade was the first model year, there isn’t much data to go on. However, there is one recall. In 2019 the Palisade had a recall for airbag issues. Also, on  Car Complaints, the main problem is about the windshield wipers instead of anything major. 

How Reliable is the 2020 Kia Telluride? 

The 2020 Kia Telluride also has a Consumer Reports predicted reliability rating of four out of five, but it has a higher overall score of 92 compared to 82 for the Palisade. So, the Kia Telluride is making drivers happier.

But the Telluride does have two recalls. One was for the trailer brake lights, and the other was for the rear seatbelts. Both were minor issues. Also, there are no significant issues reported on Car Complaints aside from windshield problems, like the Hyundai Palisade. 

So, while both SUVs have no reports of serious problems so far, the Hyundai Palisade is finishing in 2nd place, right on the Telluride’s heels. Both SUVs are similar in price, size, features, and more, but what we do know is that the Telluride is making drivers happier. 

Deciding between the two could come down to judging their looks, interior comfort, and how they drive. According to MotorTrend, the only reason to go with the Palisade is because it has a more comfortable ride and a higher seating position. 

2021 Telluride Nightfall Edition Black driving by an office building
2021 Telluride Nightfall Edition Black | Kia

They also mentioned that the primary reason that the Hyundai Palisade isn’t as popular as Kia Telluride is because of the way it looks, which is pretty subjective. However, the Telluride does have a boxier look that we are more used to seeing. 

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