By Philip Ruth–
The auto industry thrives on our willingness to judge a book by its cover. That’s our starting point for this month’s two takes on the three-row SUV—the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, both new for 2020.
They spring from the same platform, with the same engine and mechanical foundation. But the Palisade and Telluride look very different, and each signals its own strong message to buyers.
Both reflect the aspirations of their brands: Hyundai aims for the mainstream’s definition of bold style and superior quality, while Kia folds multiple European influences into a design that defines its own path.
That path is an admired one, judging from the number of heads turned by the tested Telluride SX V6 tester. I parked it at the SOMA Trader Joe’s and stepped back to observe just about everyone noticing it as they walked past. Surprising reaction for a family SUV.
Perhaps it’s because the Telluride has a Range Rover-like presence, with a boxy greenhouse that eschews the swoops of its competitors. As with a Range Rover, you feel perched up high within the Telluride, with clear sightlines forward and to the side. And, its headlights and grille are simply shaped and deftly detailed.
The Palisade’s proportions reflect the Telluride’s, but the Hyundai’s look pivots on a dramatic, multi-angled grille, which is comprised of thick and shiny nibs that seem like they’re rippling in a wave if you stare at them too long. The Palisade’s visage matches the current trend of angry automotive expressions.
The interiors are divergent as well. The Palisade hews to the “more is more” tenet of conventional consumerism, most notably the gloss black trim surrounding the center screen. Rather than staying put as a simple frame, it stretches all the way to the gauges, creating an impressive panel that mirrors your fingers as they steer.
The Telluride’s interior continues its Old World tendencies, with a pared-down dashboard and warm wood accents. The console has squared-off handles rising on either side of the flat plane for the shifter and cupholder. Where the Hyundai sculpts its trim into value-added massiveness, the Kia makes it almost exoskeletal. Functionally they’re about the same, though your writer has a strong preference for the Telluride’s traditional T-bar shifter, which has a much more communicative action than the buttons provided on the Palisade.
Two notable advantages: the Palisade has three more inches of front legroom, while the Telluride has three more cubic feet of cargo space, with all seats up.
The Palisade and Telluride share the same 3.8-liter V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Its 291 horses outnumber the Honda Pilot’s by 11, and they have the starch to make these 4,300-pound SUVs feel nimble. It’s not as smooth as the Pilot’s, but the grumbles coming from the Hyundai and Kia V6 are more characterful than discordant.
So, which of these covers would you choose? It’s an easy choice, because while the Palisade and Telluride tell different stories, they have the same happy ending.
Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant ( www.gaycarguy.com ). Check out his automotive staging service at www.carstaging.com
Published on November 14, 2019
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