If you are shopping for a three-row SUV in Conway, AR, two names will come up again and again: the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride. These two SUVs are close cousins. They share some parts and engineering, and both are known for offering ample space, style, and value for the money.
But they are not the same. Both SUVs were recently redesigned, and each brand took a different path. The 2027 Hyundai Palisade keeps a strong V6 engine and adds an available hybrid. The 2027 Kia Telluride drops its V6 for a smaller turbocharged four-cylinder engine and also offers a hybrid.
In this comparison, our team at Chris Crain Hyundai breaks down how these two family SUVs stack up in design, interior, performance, technology, and safety. By the end, you will have a clear idea of which one fits your family best.
Design
The Hyundai Palisade has a bold, upscale look. Its front end features a flat, upright grille and striking LED daytime running lights that stretch across the front. The shape is boxy in a confident way, which gives it a strong presence on the road. It is also about 2.5 inches longer than the previous Palisade, with a longer wheelbase that provides more interior space. Hyundai also gave it active air flaps and a smooth shape to help it cut through the wind.
For drivers who like adventure, the Palisade offers the rugged XRT Pro trim. It adds tougher styling and off-road upgrades, so it looks just as good on a gravel road as it does in a school pickup line.
The Kia Telluride also has a fresh new look. It has a taller, wider grille, vertical headlights and taillights, and a floating roof design. Like the Palisade, it grew longer and gained a longer wheelbase. Kia's X-Pro trim adds all-wheel drive and its own off-road features.
Both SUVs look sharp, so style comes down to personal taste. Still, the Palisade's clean lines and premium details give it a more luxury-inspired feel.
Interior
Both of these SUVs are built for families, and it shows inside. Each one offers three rows of seats with room for seven or eight people, depending on the setup you choose.
Cargo space is almost a tie. The Palisade offers up to about 86.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the Telluride offers about 86.9 cubic feet. In real life, you will not notice the difference. Both can handle sports gear, groceries, and luggage for a family road trip.
Where the Palisade stands out is in how it feels. Hyundai offers a wide range of seat materials, from cloth to soft Nappa leather on higher trims. The cabin has a clean, modern layout with real buttons below the screens, so you don't have to dig through menus to change basic settings. It feels more like a luxury SUV than a typical family hauler.
The Telluride's cabin is also nice, with real wood and metal accents and two-tone leather on upper trims. It is a comfortable and well-made space. Even so, the Palisade's premium touches and thoughtful layout give it the edge for families who want a more upscale feel every day.
Performance
This is where the two SUVs differ the most.
The 2027 Hyundai Palisade comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 287 horsepower. It is smooth and strong, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That is enough for a small camper, a boat, or a trailer full of gear for a weekend at Greers Ferry Lake.
The Palisade also offers a hybrid version. It pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to make 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. That has more power than the V6 and better gas mileage. The hybrid can tow up to 4,000 pounds and comes with HTRAC all-wheel drive on many trims.
The 2027 Kia Telluride no longer offers a V6. Its standard engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 274 horsepower. Kia's hybrid uses the same 329-horsepower setup as the Palisade Hybrid, and Kia says it can earn up to 35 mpg combined. That is a real strength for the Telluride if fuel savings are your top goal.
Still, the Palisade gives buyers something the Telluride does not: a choice. You can pick a proven V6 for strong towing, or go with the efficient hybrid. For many Arkansas families who tow, travel, or just want a powerful engine, that flexibility matters.
Technology
Both SUVs are packed with modern tech. Each one offers two 12.3-inch screens across the dashboard, one for the driver's gauges and one for the infotainment system. Both also support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so that you can use your phone's maps, music, and messages on the big screen.
The Palisade adds some helpful extras. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mean you don't have to plug in your phone. Its wireless charging pad delivers 15 watts of power and includes a cooling fan to keep your phone from overheating. Available features include a Surround View Monitor, which gives you a bird's-eye view of the SUV when parking. That is a big help with a vehicle this size.
The Telluride offers a similar dual-screen setup and many of the same smart features. In the end, both SUVs are well equipped, but the Palisade's small, thoughtful touches make everyday driving a little easier.
Safety
When you are carrying your whole family, safety comes first. Both SUVs come with a long list of driver-assistance features, such as forward collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
The Palisade has an important win here. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is the group's highest award, and it means the Palisade performed very well in tough crash tests. The award applies to Palisades built after November 2025. The 2027 Palisade builds on that same design.
Add in features like the Surround View Monitor and rear parking camera, and the Palisade gives parents real peace of mind on every drive.
Our Choice
The Kia Telluride is a good SUV, and its hybrid's fuel economy is impressive. But when you look at the full picture, the 2027 Hyundai Palisade is our choice for Conway families.
Here is why:
-More engine choices. The Palisade offers both a strong V6 and a powerful hybrid. The Telluride no longer has a V6-Better towing. With up to 5,000 pounds of towing on V6 models, the Palisade is ready for boats, campers, and weekend trips
-A more upscale feel. From its bold design to its Nappa leather options, the Palisade feels like a luxury SUV without the luxury price
-Proven safety. The Palisade earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, the group's highest honor
-Long-term value. Hyundai backs the Palisade with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, plus complimentary maintenance that adds long-term value.
If you want an SUV that does it all, the Palisade is hard to beat. And if you need all-weather confidence, it is also one of the best Hyundai AWD vehicles you can buy.
Test Drive the 2027 Hyundai Palisade at Chris Crain Hyundai
Ready to see the Palisade for yourself? Browse our Hyundai Palisade inventory and check out our latest new vehicle specials. Our team can also help you explore financing options and find out what your trade-in is worth.
Visit Chris Crain Hyundai at 1003 Museum Road in Conway, or contact us to schedule your test drive today.