In the competitive world of midsize SUVs, the 2026 Kia Telluride, 2025 Hyundai Palisade, and 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander stand out as top contenders for families seeking space, comfort, and advanced features. Let's delve into how these three-row SUVs compare in key areas.
Performance & Powertrains
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Kia Telluride: Equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Offers both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options.
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Hyundai Palisade: Shares the same 3.8-liter V6 engine and transmission as the Telluride, delivering identical performance figures.
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Toyota Grand Highlander: Features a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine generating 265 horsepower. Also offers hybrid variants with improved fuel efficiency.
Interior Space & Comfort
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Telluride: Boasts a spacious cabin with ample second-row legroom (42.4 inches) and a cargo capacity of 21 cubic feet behind the third row. AP News
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Palisade: Offers similar interior dimensions to the Telluride, with slight variations in headroom and cargo space.
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Grand Highlander: Provides more third-row legroom (33.5 inches) and a larger maximum cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet, making it ideal for larger families or those needing extra storage.
Safety & Technology
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Telluride: Comes standard with advanced safety features, including Highway Driving Assist 1.5, and has received a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
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Palisade: Equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies and has also earned a 5-star NHTSA rating.
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Grand Highlander: Features Toyota Safety Sense, offering a range of driver-assist features. NHTSA safety ratings are pending.
Pricing & Warranty
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Telluride: Starting at $37,585, it offers a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
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Palisade: Priced similarly to the Telluride, with matching warranty coverage.
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Grand Highlander: Starts at $45,080, with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Conclusion
The 2026 Kia Telluride stands out with its combination of performance, spaciousness, advanced safety features, and value for money. The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offers similar attributes, making it a worthy alternative. The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander excels in interior space and fuel efficiency, especially with its hybrid options, but comes at a higher starting price.
