Chevrolet Traverse vs Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade
Summary
Third-row legroom is effectively identical across all three — the spread is hundredths of an inch. Headroom orders them Traverse 38.27 in, Palisade 37.8, Telluride 37.4, all seating eight.
Cargo is the Traverse's case: 22.9 cu ft behind the third row against 22.3 for the Telluride and 19.1 for the Palisade, then 56.6 behind the second row against 48.7 and 46.3, and 97.6 at maximum against 89.3 and 86.7.
The Korean pair's case is hardware and powertrains: both document two third-row LATCH lower-anchor positions where the Traverse's own figures show none, both publish 43.0 in of second-row legroom against 41.46, and both offer hybrids — the Traverse is gas-only. All three tow 5,000 lb. Floors: Telluride $39,190, Palisade $39,735, Traverse $40,800.
The numbers, side by side
| Spec | Chevrolet Traverse | Kia Telluride | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | |||
| MSRP range | $40,800 – $58,100 | $39,190 – $57,590 | $39,735 – $57,680 |
| Space | |||
| Row 1 legroom | 44.29" | 41.4" | 44.2" |
| Row 2 legroom | 41.46" | 43" | 43" |
| Row 3 legroom | 32.13" | 32.1" | 32.1" |
| Row 3 headroom | 38.27" | 37.4" | 37.8" |
| Cargo behind row 3 | 22.9 cu ft | 22.3 cu ft | 19.1 cu ft |
| Cargo behind row 2 | 56.6 cu ft | 48.7 cu ft | 46.3 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 97.6 cu ft | 89.3 cu ft | 86.7 cu ft |
| Exterior | |||
| Length | 204.49" | 199.2" | 199.2" |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.57" | 78.3" | 78" |
| Height | 69.57" | 69.9" | 69.5" |
| Capability | |||
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Seating | |||
| Max seats | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Second row | Captain’s chairs or bench | Captain’s chairs or bench | Captain’s chairs or bench |
The third row is a three-way tie
GM publishes 32.13, Kia and Hyundai each publish 32.1. No buyer can feel the difference; on the axis this site leads with, these are the same vehicle. The tiebreakers are headroom — where the Traverse's 38.27 in leads the Palisade's 37.8 and the Telluride's 37.4 — and everything below.
Cargo: the Traverse pulls away
Behind the third row the Traverse and Telluride are close, 22.9 against 22.3 cu ft, with the Palisade trailing at 19.1. Fold the third row and the gap opens: 56.6 for the Chevrolet against 48.7 and 46.3 — roughly eight cubic feet, a real stroller-and-suitcases difference. At maximum it reads 97.6 against 89.3 and 86.7.
The Traverse is simply the bigger box. Its platform twin tells the same story against a different rival in Traverse vs Enclave.
Child seats: the Koreans document more anchors
The Telluride and Palisade each document two third-row LATCH lower-anchor positions and three top tethers. The Traverse's manual draws three top tethers and no third-row lower anchors — GM's pattern across its large SUVs. All three carry verified third-row curtain records, though the Korean pair's rest on manufacturer illustrations rather than row-naming prose, and both are labelled accordingly.
For lower-anchor installs in row three, the Telluride and Palisade are the documented picks; the full field is ranked in the family guide's car-seat lens.
Second row and powertrains
Both Koreans publish 43.0 in of second-row legroom to the Traverse's 41.46 — the counterweight to the cargo story. A family that rides adults in row two daily gets more from the Telluride or Palisade; one that hauls gets more from the Traverse.
Powertrains split the same way: the Telluride and Palisade both offer hybrid lines for 2027, the Traverse is gas-only. The two hybrids are compared head-to-head in Telluride vs Palisade.
Price and when each one fits
Telluride $39,190 to $57,590, Palisade $39,735 to $57,680, Traverse $40,800 to $58,100 — three ladders within $1,610 of each other at the floor and $510 at the ceiling. Price does not decide this one.
Chevrolet Traverse: the cargo pick — the most space at every position, plus the tallest third row of the three.
Kia Telluride: the balanced pick — cargo close behind the Traverse, two documented lower anchors, the roomy second row, and a hybrid option.
Hyundai Palisade: the same second row and hardware as the Telluride with less cargo — pick it on the hybrid, the styling, or the deal.
Compare legroom yourself
Find your match
Six questions, deterministic scoring, top three matches across the full directory.
Take the quizWill you fit either third row?
Open the fit estimator preloaded with the Chevrolet Traverse and check both models against your height.
Best-value family 3-row
The guide lens closest to this pairing — the whole cohort re-sorted on that axis, answer stated up top.
Deciding across the whole segment, not just these models? See Best Family 3-Row SUVs — every published model, ranked from verified specs. A cross-segment pairing gets both rankings, because neither one alone covers the models on this page.