Preview: Updated 2023 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride Gain Tech, Comfort, and Safety Features
These highly rated midsized SUVs are freshened inside and out
By Jeff S. Bartlett
Hyundai and Kia displayed their updated three-row midsized SUVs at the New York International Auto Show this week, revealing numerous enhancements to the Palisade and Telluride.
The Palisade got a raft of styling updates, more convenience features, and enhanced driver assist features, further establishing this model as an upscale choice in a mainstream segment. There’s also a new “rugged” XRT trim to complement those of other Hyundai SUVs (the Santa Fe and Tucson), adding unique front and rear bumper covers, a dark grille, black roof rails, and black leatherette upholstery.
The Telluride gains exterior and interior design changes, two “rugged” trim levels, and more infotainment-related technology, including a massive digital dash display.
Both corporate siblings stormed onto the scene three years ago, proving to be worthy alternatives to the established Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander. A midlife freshening is common industry practice, adding appeal to models and staving off competition.
Both the American-built Telluride and imported Palisade score very well in their segment based on Consumer Reports tests and surveys. We look forward to driving the latest versions to take measure of the upgrades. Until then, here’s what we know so far.
What they compete with: Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, and each other.
What they look like: Increasingly upscale family transport
Powertrains: 291-hp, 3.8-liter V6 engine; 8-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
Price: $34,000-$50,000 (estimated)
On sale: Summer 2022
The 2023 Kia Telluride features cosmetic upgrades at the rear and functional upgrades for off-pavement excursions.
Photo: Kia
CR's Take
Midlife freshenings are a standard part of the life cycle for most vehicles. It helps them stave off competition, and it makes a case for lessees to lease again. The various updates to the Palisade and Telluride do make them look fresh and enticing. But they really didn’t need the upgrades. Both perform well in our tests, and they’re selling like hotcakes. Due to their virtues and the impact of parts shortages, they are currently going for 12 to 21 percent over MSRP.
This isn’t underheard of. Many new cars are selling for above their sticker price, as we have seen with our test program, populated by vehicles we purchase anonymously. But think twice before spending thousands of dollars above the asking prices. When the market eventually corrects itself, that may lead to significant depreciation.
It’s surprising that the SUVs didn’t make any gains in fuel economy or come with a second powertrain choice. With Hyundai and Kia adding hybrids and plug-in hybrids to almost every other model they offer, it would seem inevitable that the Palisade and Telluride would eventually join the electrified club. But not yet.
Outside
Hyundai has dressed up the Palisade’s facade with a new grille, headlights, and bumper. And the rear gains a new bumper. The changes are evolutionary, not revolutionary, and even a bit subtle. The headlights are even smaller than before, and the grille has a more rectangular shape that reminds us of an electric shaver.
The same strategy was applied to the Telluride. It, too, gained a new grille, headlights, and front bumper. At the rear, the taillights and bumper were also updated. New blue, red, and green paint has been added to the palette. The Telluride changes can be most easily spotted below the grille, with the X-Line trims boasting a prominent rectangular shape for lower air intake. The X-Lines have exclusive wheels and an extra 10 mm of ground clearance. The X-Line Pro has 18-inch black wheels with all-terrain tires.
The Hyundai Palisade's appearance becomes even more upscale for 2023.
Photo: Hyundai
Inside
The cabins for both SUVs edge upscale, with new materials, added features, dramatic screens, and revised vents.
The Palisade has a new instrument panel and a wide 12-inch infotainment display (shown below). Trick tech includes Hyundai’s first in-car WiFi and the automaker’s first digital rearview mirror, allowing a view behind the SUV that isn’t obstructed by passengers and headrests. Device charging has been accelerated with USB-C ports replacing USB-A and the wireless charge mat moving from 5W to 15W.
The driver’s space is augmented with a new seat and steering wheel design. Passengers benefit from an adjustable second-row armrest and available third-row heated seats.
A new steering wheel and screens, plus faster phone charging, are welcomed updates to the 2023 Hyundai Palisade..
Photo: Hyundai
The Telluride transformation is more bold, with its version of the large, horizontal display design spreading through several Kia models for 2023. This involves dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, hidden behind a seamless glass panel (shown below). It’s quite striking; we experienced a similar system in our 2023 Kia Sportage.
The Telluride also has a new steering wheel and various trim bits throughout. It’s nice to see that it retains a traditional lever-style gear selector rather than the finicky push buttons used in the Palisade.
The massive dual screenon the Kia Telluride makes the interior look fresh and modern.
Photo: Kia
What Drives It
The powertrain continues without notable changes. Both SUVs still use a strong, smooth 291-horsepower V6 backed with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In an age when many SUVs are going to four-cylinder turbos, the linear power that this engine provides, without the surge often associated with turbos on small-displacement engines, remains refreshing.
The towing capacity has increased from 5,000 pounds to 5,500 pounds for the X-Pro trim.
Safety and Driver Assistance Systems
The healthy roster of standard and available active driver assistance features carry forward on both models, such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic warning, and driver attention monitoring. And it expands with several new features for 2023. These include speed limit sign recognition with warnings, a smart navigation system that lowers cruise control speed in anticipation of mapped curves, and a lane-change assist function for highways.
Forward collision warning and automatic braking step up a notch for 2023 with several abilities to sense potential collisions at intersections, and steering assist to help avoid impact.
2022 Hyundai Palisade
2022 Kia Telluride
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