2025 Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade: Which Three-Row SUV Handles Winter Roads Better near La Crosse, WI?
Prestige Kia - 2025 Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade: Which Three-Row SUV Handles Winter Roads Better near La Crosse, WI?
Shoppers often ask a simple question that reveals a lot about how an SUV will perform in the real world: Which three-row SUV handles winter roads better? When comparing the latest Telluride and Palisade, the answer comes from a blend of traction tech, ground clearance, and how towing and load control work in snow and slush. Both models offer available all-wheel drive and a dedicated Snow Mode. However, the Telluride adds a center-locking differential that can help when traction gets spotty and steep driveways or rutted plow berms demand steady torque delivery. The Telluride also offers trims with increased ground clearance and factory all-terrain tires, adding bite and clearance that matter when back streets remain unplowed or when you head to a trailhead after fresh snowfall.
Winter capability is not only about grip. Stability when loaded—kids, gear, groceries, and the occasional trailer—can be just as important. The Telluride’s available self-leveling rear suspension helps the vehicle maintain optimal ride height and composure when the cargo area is full or a trailer is attached. In foul weather, that extra stability helps steering feel more predictable and keeps braking behavior consistent over uneven, slick surfaces. Add the available 360° Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror, and the Telluride surrounds the driver with more information in poor visibility. The Palisade brings respectable winter credentials with HTRAC AWD and robust SmartSense driver aids, but the Telluride’s unique hardware and visibility tech give it an edge when conditions turn from light flurries to full-on squalls.
- Center-locking differential: Telluride offers this AWD advantage for improved, consistent traction when surfaces are uneven or icy.
- Raised ground clearance: X-Line and X-Pro trims provide better approach and departure angles for deep snow or rutted entrances.
- Factory all-terrain tires: X-Pro equips tires with more aggressive tread for confidence on unplowed roads or gravel drives.
- Self-leveling rear suspension: Helps maintain stability and headlight aim when carrying cargo or towing in winter.
- Visibility technology: Available 360° Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror improve awareness in low light and heavy snow.
Drivers also ask how towing in winter compares. The Telluride’s Tow Mode with trailer stability assist helps regulate power and braking to keep motion steady on slick surfaces, and X-Pro’s 5,500-lb rating offers valuable margin for snowmobiles or a small camper. The Palisade supports towing up to 5,000 lbs, which is solid for family needs, but the Telluride’s higher rating and hardware make it easier to bring more without leaving gear behind. Cabin tech matters too: onboard USB-C fast charging in all three rows and available dual sunroofs provide comfort on cold-day school runs or longer weekend drives to winter recreation areas, while Digital Key 2.0 adds convenience when gloved hands make keyfobs cumbersome.
One final note about daily drivability in winter: both models include helpful driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking and lane-centering assistance, but the Telluride’s available Highway Driving Assist 2 and Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go are tuned to make longer highway stretches less fatiguing when snow squalls extend the trip. If winter is a top priority alongside space, comfort, and technology, the Telluride’s combination of traction tools, chassis tuning, and visibility gives it a practical advantage. Prestige Kia, serving Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and La Crosse, welcomes shoppers for side-by-side comparisons and a test drive route that includes hills and lower-speed surface streets to evaluate winter poise in the ways that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need a center-locking differential for winter driving?
It is not mandatory, but it can help deliver steadier torque to the wheels that can use it when surfaces are uneven or slick, which improves control when pulling away from a stop or climbing a snowy incline.
Are factory all-terrain tires worth it if I drive mostly on plowed roads?
If you stick to well-maintained streets, quality all-season or dedicated winter tires work fine. If your neighborhood is plowed late or you frequent unpaved access roads, the Telluride X-Pro’s all-terrain tires add meaningful traction.
How does self-leveling rear suspension help in winter?
By keeping the vehicle level under load, steering and braking remain more predictable, headlights stay aimed where they should, and the rear suspension can better absorb ruts and ridges hidden beneath snow.
Is the higher 5,500-lb towing rating useful in cold weather?
Yes. Extra towing headroom means more flexibility when hauling winter gear or a small trailer full of snow equipment, and Tow Mode with trailer stability assist helps maintain control on slick routes.