HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Telluride

OUR VERDICT
The Kia Telluride is the stronger buy(2 of 6 categories)
OPTION A

Hyundai Palisade

2020–2026 · suv

50/100 · Fair
2.7
Recalls / yr
236.6
Complaints / yr
19
Lifetime recalls
1,656
Lifetime complaints
OPTION B

Kia Telluride

2020–2026 · suv

47/100 · Fair
3.4
Recalls / yr
188.4
Complaints / yr
24
Lifetime recalls
1,319
Lifetime complaints

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Every metric is normalized per model year so a long-running nameplate isn't unfairly penalized against a newer rival. The greener cell wins each row.

MetricPalisadeTelluride
Defect & Recall Risk
Higher is better
50/10047/100
Best Year Buyer Score
Higher is better
63/100 (2022)60/100 (2023)
Recalls per Year
Lower is better
2.7✓3.4
Complaints per Year
Lower is better
236.6188.4✓
Injuries + Deaths / Year
Lower is better
7.45.6✓
Crash-Involved Complaints
Lower is better
2.3%2.6%
Categories won12

Best Year to Buy — Each Model

Hyundai Palisade
TOP PICK
2022
Buyer Score 63/100
3 recalls · 211 complaints
Full Palisade buyer's guide →
Kia Telluride
TOP PICK
2023
Buyer Score 60/100
4 recalls · 149 complaints
Full Telluride buyer's guide →

Most-Reported Problems

Palisade
SEAT BELTS
214
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
180
SERVICE BRAKES
177
ENGINE
167
VISIBILITY/WIPER
143
Telluride
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
237
VISIBILITY/WIPER
186
ENGINE
150
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
119
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
99

Complaint counts across all model years, from NHTSA owner filings. Frequency indicates how often an area is reported, not severity.

The Bottom Line

On the data, the Kia Telluride is the safer used-car bet, winning 2 of 6 categories. It carries a 47/100 Reliability Index versus 50/100 for the Hyundai Palisade, and averages 3.4 recalls and 188.4 complaints per model year (vs 2.7 and 236.6). Whichever you choose, run the specific VIN — a single car's accident and title history can outweigh the model-level averages.

Narrowed it down? Verify the actual car.

This compares models. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a Free VIN Check →