2027 Hyundai Palisade vs. Kia Telluride: Which Three-Row SUV Wins in Riverdale, GA?

Families in Riverdale, Georgia, who need room for the whole crew often land on two names: the Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride. Both are large, three-row SUVs built on shared underpinnings, so it makes sense that they get cross-shopped so often. But the two SUVs are not twins. In this guide, SouthTowne Hyundai of Riverdale compares the 2027 Hyundai Palisade and the 2027 Kia Telluride across design, performance, interior space, safety, and technology. Then we explain why we think the Palisade is the smarter pick for Riverdale drivers.

Overview

The 2027 Hyundai Palisade comes in six trims, from the well-equipped SE to the upscale Calligraphy, with prices starting around $39,735. Most trims seat up to eight people, giving families plenty of flexibility. The 2027 Kia Telluride offers more trim choices, ten in all, starting at $39,190 and climbing to $56,790 for the loaded X-Pro SX Prestige.

Telluride starts a bit lower on price, but the Palisade makes up for it with a longer list of standard features and a more upscale feel right out of the gate. You can see the current Palisade lineup on our new Hyundai inventory page, or browse our full SUV lineup guide to compare it against other Hyundai models.

Design

The Palisade has a bold, upscale look that borders on luxury. Its wide “Parametric Jewel” grille and seamless horizontal LED lighting give it a modern, premium presence. The Calligraphy trim adds two-tone paint and larger wheels for a look that stands apart from typical family SUVs.

The Telluride leans into a boxier, more rugged style. It is a good-looking SUV, but it takes a more traditional, truck-like approach compared to the Palisade’s sleeker lines. If you want your SUV to feel like an upgrade the moment you walk up to it, the Palisade has the edge.

Performance

The Palisade sticks with a proven 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. This naturally aspirated engine has powered the Palisade for years, and it delivers power in a steady, predictable way without any turbo lag.

The 2027 Telluride makes a bigger change under the hood. It swaps its V6 for a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That is more torque on paper. But it also means a smaller, turbocharged engine now has to do a bigger job, and this is the first year for that setup in the Telluride. The Palisade’s simpler, well-tested V6 gives Riverdale families more confidence in a vehicle they plan to keep for years. Fuel economy is close for both SUVs. The Palisade earns up to 26 mpg on the highway in front-wheel-drive form.

Interior

Every 2027 Palisade trim comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen standard, so even the base SE feels modern inside. Higher trims add a panoramic sunroof, ventilated and heated seats, and Nappa leather, giving them a cabin that feels closer to that of a cargo luxury SUV. Cargo room behind the third row is generous, which matters for Riverdale families hauling sports gear or luggage.

The Telluride’s cabin is comfortable and well-built, too, with a similar focus on family-friendly space. However, some of its tech and comfort features are spread across its ten trims, so shoppers may need to climb higher up the lineup to match what the Palisade already includes standard.

Safety

Both SUVs come loaded with driver assistance features. Safety is a top priority for family shoppers. The Palisade’s Hyundai SmartSense suite is standard on every trim. It includes forward collision help with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection. It also adds -keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear parking assist, front and rear parking warnings, and a driver attention alert.

The Telluride answers with its own strong safety suite. This includes Highway Driving Assist for lane centering, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assist, driver attention monitoring, and lane-keeping collision help. Both SUVs protect their passengers well. The difference is that the Palisade’s full safety features are standard across all trims. Riverdale families do not have to move up the lineup or pay more to get the same peace of mind.

Technology

The Palisade keeps things simple. Every trim gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, not just the top trims. Hyundai also backs the Palisade with Bluelink+, a suite of connected services. It lets drivers lock the doors, start the engine, and check on their SUV from a phone. Learn more in our post on staying connected with Hyundai Bluelink+.

The Telluride offers its own solid infotainment system and Kia Connect app. But its features are split across ten different trims, so buyers need to check carefully. They have to see which screen size and connected services come with the trim they want. The Palisade’s one-size-fits-all approach makes shopping simpler.

Our Choice

After comparing both three-row SUVs, we believe the 2027 Hyundai Palisade is the better choice for families in Riverdale, GA. It offers a longer list of standard features, a more upscale look and feel, and a well-proven V6 engine families can count on for the long haul. The Telluride’s new turbocharged engine adds torque on paper. But the Palisade’s naturally rugged record is hard to beat in a vehicle meant to carry your family for years to come.

The Palisade also comes backed by Hyundai’s excellent warranty coverage. You can read more about it in our article on why Hyundai has one of the best warranties in the business.

Ready to see the 2027 Hyundai Palisade in person? Visit Sotest-driveyundai of Riverdale to test-drive one today. Check our current Hyundai new-vehicle specials to find the right deal for your family’s budget. If you are shopping for a smaller SUV instead, take a look at our comparison of the 2026 Hyundai Tucson vs. Toyota RAV4 too.