Kia Telluride Vs. Hyundai Palisade: Which One Has More Cargo Space?
The Telluride and Palisade are corporate cousins, built on the same bones and aimed at the same families, which makes any separation between them meaningful. Both entered new generations with bolder, boxier styling and richer cabins, and both seat up to eight. Because they are so evenly matched, cargo capacity is a genuine tiebreaker, and here the Kia holds a narrow but clean advantage at every point in the loading process. Here is how the numbers shake out.
Behind the third row
With all three rows occupied, the Telluride leads. It offers roughly 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row against the Palisade's 21.5, a small margin that can still be the difference between fitting a double stroller flat or angling it awkwardly. For families who regularly travel with all seats full, that space behind the last row is the measurement that matters most.
Both are genuinely usable in this configuration, easily handling a grocery run or several carry-on bags with the third row up. The boxier Telluride simply packages a touch more depth back there, which pays off on a fully loaded trip.
With the seats folded
Fold the seats, and the Telluride keeps its lead. Behind the second row, it opens to about 48.5 cubic feet versus the Palisade's 46.8, and with both rear rows folded, it tops out near 89 cubic feet against roughly 87 for the Hyundai. The gaps stay small but consistent, so the Kia is the roomier hauler no matter how you configure it.
That said, the difference of a couple of cubic feet at maximum is not something most owners will notice day to day. Both SUVs will handle furniture runs, camping gear, and the biggest family hauls with ease, so the Telluride's win here is about bragging rights as much as practicality.
Beyond the numbers
The two siblings diverge more in philosophy than in raw volume. The Palisade leans into passenger comfort and luxury, with a lounge-like cabin, available power-folding third-row seats, second-row captain's chairs with a relaxation mode, and generous rear legroom that arguably makes it the nicer place to spend a long trip. It trades a sliver of cargo room for that focus on people.
The Telluride keeps a more rugged, utilitarian character, with a squared-off cargo area, available off-road-oriented trims, and a slight edge in every cargo measurement. For a buyer whose priority is hauling gear rather than pampering passengers, the Kia's packaging is the more natural fit.
So which one has more cargo space?
The Kia Telluride has more cargo space. It beats the Palisade behind the third row, behind the second row, and with everything folded, so it is the roomier choice in every configuration, even if the margins are slim. For families who value maximum utility, it is the sharper tool. The Hyundai Palisade remains a superb pick, and its focus on passenger space and premium features means the small cargo deficit is unlikely to bother buyers who prioritize comfort. But on the specific question of cargo room, the Telluride edges it out across the board.
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This story was originally published July 18, 2026 at 11:20 AM.