Hyundai Palisade Hybrid vs. Kia Telluride Hybrid: A Family SUV Showdown

Three-row hybrid SUVs are having a moment. Two heavy hitters from the same parent company now offer electrified versions of their top family haulers, and parents shopping for a roomy weekend rig finally have real choices that sip fuel instead of guzzling it. Both arrive with sharp styling, big cabins, and modern tech.

• A shared 2.5-liter turbo hybrid setup gives both SUVs 329 horsepower for strong highway passing and quick merges.
• The Kia Telluride Hybrid posts an estimated 35 mpg combined while the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid reaches up to 34 mpg combined with front-wheel drive.
• Each three-row hauler seats up to eight passengers and offers a wide spread of trims, from family-friendly basics to near-luxury cabins.

Power You Can Actually Feel

Under the hood, you’ll find the Hyundai Motor Group 2.5-liter turbocharged hybrid system pairing a gas engine with electric motors. Hyundai’s spec sheet lists 329 horsepower for the Palisade Hybrid, and the immediate electric torque makes it pull hard off the line. Kia rates the Telluride Hybrid at the same 329 horsepower with 339 lb-ft of torque, posting a zero-to-60 run that ranks among the quickest in the three-row segment. A six-speed automatic handles gear changes in either rig.

Drivetrain options sit close, too. Hyundai’s Blue trims start as front-wheel drive, with AWD available across the rest of the lineup. Kia takes a similar path, offering FWD on lower trims with AWD optional higher up and standard on the rugged X-Pro. Weekend boat haulers should know that Kia edges ahead on towing at up to 4,500 pounds, while Hyundai’s hybrid maxes out at 4,000.

Fuel Economy and Range for Real Life

Hybrids only matter if they save you cash at the pump, and these two ace the test. Kia estimates up to 35 mpg combined for the Telluride Hybrid with FWD and 18-inch wheels, plus a driving range near 600 miles per fill-up. Hyundai answers with an EPA estimate of 34 mpg combined on FWD with 18-inch wheels, dropping to 31 mpg with larger wheels and 29 mpg combined with AWD. Families racking up 15,000 or more miles a year see those savings stack up fast.

Cargo Space and Family Seating

Cargo flexibility makes or breaks a three-row SUV for most families. Kia gives the Telluride Hybrid 21.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.9 cubic feet maximum with all seats folded. Hyundai’s Palisade Hybrid checks in slightly smaller at 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.7 cubic feet maximum. Riding on a longer 116.9-inch wheelbase, the Telluride hands back-row passengers a touch more legroom. Seating runs seven or eight either way, depending on whether you pick captain’s chairs or a bench.

Hyundai Palisade Hybrid vs. Kia Telluride Hybrid at a Glance

Cabin Tech and Daily Comfort

Inside, both cabins share Hyundai Motor Group’s connected cockpit, with available dual 12.3-inch screens running infotainment and gauges side by side. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. New for Kia, the Telluride Hybrid debuts streaming for Netflix and YouTube while parked, plus display themes for all 30 NBA teams. Hyundai counters with an available 14-speaker Bose audio system, a curved panoramic display, and Hyundai Pay for in-car transactions. Top trims on either model can be ordered with massaging front seats and heated third-row seats.

Pricing and Trim Picks

Pricing on the Palisade Hybrid starts in the low $43,000s for the Blue SEL FWD and climbs past $58,000 for a loaded Calligraphy AWD. Trims run Blue SEL, Blue SEL Premium, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy. Kia hasn’t dropped final pricing on the Telluride Hybrid yet, though the LX, S, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, and X-Pro ladder is expected to overlap closely. Watch for official Kia MSRPs and EPA fuel economy ratings closer to the Telluride Hybrid’s on-sale date.

Picking the Right Three-Row Hybrid for Your Family

In the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid vs. Kia Telluride Hybrid showdown, you really can’t go wrong with either pick. Want a slightly longer cabin, stronger towing, or that off-road-ready X-Pro vibe? The Telluride Hybrid plays hard. Prefer Hyundai’s softer styling, the near-luxury Calligraphy interior, or one you can drive home today from a Hyundai store? The Palisade Hybrid fits. Either way, you’re getting a roomy family rig that finally pairs three rows with hybrid mileage that doesn’t punish you at the pump.

Test Drive the Palisade Hybrid at Ray Skillman Hyundai West

If you want to feel the difference yourself, we’d love to put you behind the wheel. Our showroom keeps a fresh selection of new Palisade Hybrid trims on the lot, and our team will walk you through every feature without pressure. Schedule a test drive, climb into the second-row captain’s chairs, fold down the third row, and load up the cargo area with your gear. We can answer real questions about fuel economy on your commute, towing your boat, or how the hybrid system feels on Indianapolis highways. If a Palisade Hybrid is right for your family, we’ll help you find the color, configuration, and budget that work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much horsepower does the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid have?

The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid produces 329 horsepower from a 2.5-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain. The system pairs a gas engine with electric motors and uses a six-speed automatic transmission for smooth, responsive performance.

What is the fuel economy of the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid?

The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 18-inch wheels. That figure drops to 31 mpg combined with larger wheels and 29 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.

How does the Kia Telluride Hybrid compare to the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid in towing?

The Kia Telluride Hybrid can tow up to 4,500 pounds, while the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid maxes out at 4,000 pounds. Both SUVs share the same 2.5-liter turbo hybrid powertrain, but the Telluride offers a slight edge for drivers who plan to tow regularly.

How many passengers can the Palisade Hybrid and Telluride Hybrid seat?

Both the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid and Kia Telluride Hybrid seat seven or eight passengers depending on whether you choose second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Both offer three rows of seating for family-friendly flexibility.

What is the starting price of the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid?

Pricing on the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid starts in the low $43,000s for the Blue SEL with front-wheel drive and climbs past $58,000 for a fully loaded Calligraphy with all-wheel drive. Available trims include Blue SEL, Blue SEL Premium, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy.

Which has more cargo space, the Palisade Hybrid or Telluride Hybrid?

The two are very close. The Kia Telluride Hybrid offers 21.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.9 cubic feet maximum. The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid checks in at 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.7 cubic feet maximum. The Telluride holds a slight advantage in both measurements.

Can I test drive the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid at Ray Skillman Hyundai West?

Yes, Ray Skillman Hyundai West keeps a fresh selection of new Palisade Hybrid trims on the lot. You can schedule a test drive, explore the cabin, and get answers about fuel economy, towing, and pricing from our team with no pressure.