Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride

PILOT

$37,090

Pictured: TrailSport AWD. MSRP as tested $50,500.

Telluride

$35,990 (2024)

Pictured: 2023 Telluride SX Prestige X-Line. MSRP as tested: $54,120.

Pilot

Honda did a fantastic job with the all-new 2023 Pilot. We like its new more rugged looks and more modern interior (though we'd hoped for a larger available multimedia screen). The new for 2023 off-road oriented TrailSport model we tested featured notably comfortable seats.

This three-row family hauler delivers a great ride and nice acceleration. It offers versatile, roomy seating with an available removable 2nd-row you can stow under the cargo floor and the third row fits adults.

We also like the safety updates that include expanded Honda Sensing technology and a next-gen front passenger airbag.

The new Honda Pilot is an excellent choice for families who like a more rugged look and outdoor capability.

Telluride

The Kia Telluride has wowed us since it was introduced in 2019. As CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds writes in his 2023 Telluride review,  "it is a spectacular SUV."

The three-row family hauler impresses with its design, comfort, and roominess (with an adult-size third row). It's ride and drive is superb, too, and it's very quiet inside.

Kia's multimedia and advanced driver assist technology is also outstanding. 

The only downside compared to its sister the Hyundai Palisade is that the Telluride doesn't offer a power third row.

The Telluride has a great warranty, like the Palisade. It's also a tremendous value in the segment.    Jerry Reynolds' lists some of the cool features of the 2023 model here.

Pilot

Honda's largest SUV is all-new for 2023. The fourth-generation 2023 Pilot is the largest and most powerful in the SUV's history. It's built on a new platform, features a more rugged exterior design and has an all-new engine.

The interior's been upgraded as well with a more modern, premium look and updated technology. New features include an available panoramic roof.  An available removable 2nd row seat can be stowed under the rear cargo floor.

A new TrailSport model is geared towards off-the-pavement adventures. It adds ground clearance and new features like Trail Torque Logic and a TrailWatch Camera system for AWD. 

New and improved Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive tech includes a new wide-view camera and radar.

For families with teenage drivers,  the Pilot is compatible with Honda's new Driver Coaching iPhone app, designed to promote safe driving practices. This app is compatible with 2023 model year and newer Pilots equipped with Apple CarPlay.

Deciding between a new or used Pilot? We've reviewed it several times since 2016. Here's a list of every Pilot we've reviewed.

Telluride

The Telluride is all-new for the 2023 model year with significant design and interior updates, though its powertrain does not change. A long list of upgraded available technology includes a standard upgraded 12.3-inch navigation screen. It also features more standard or available advanced driver assistance technology.

New for 2023, the lineup also adds  X-Line and Telluride X-Pro models. Max available towing capacity also increases to 5,500 pounds. New colors include: Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red and Jungle Green

For 2024, the Telluride receives minor exterior styling updates and standard Amber daytime running lights.

Deciding between a new or used Telluride? Here's a list of every Telluride we've reviewed.

PILOT

• More 3rd-row legroom
• Innovative available removable second row 
• New TrailSport model offers more off-road capability
  
  

Telluride

• Base trim is more upscale
• More 1st and 2nd-row legroom
• Hyundai's exceptional 10-year warranty

Pilot

• Less overall interior volume
• Engine isn't quite as powerful

Telluride

• Doesn't offer as much off-road capablity
• 2nd-row seating isn't as versatile

22 mpg (FWD)

21 mpg (AWD)

20 mpg (TrailSport AWD)

23  mpg (FWD)

21 mpg (AWD)

19 mpg (FWD/AWD)

18 mpg (TrailSport AWD)

20 mpg (FWD)

18 mpg  (AWD)

26 mpg (FWD)

24 mpg (AWD)

• Standard 7-inch TFT driver meter display 
• Available 10.2-inch digital driver display 
• Standard 7-inch multimedia touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  
• Available 9-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,, HD Radio, SiriusXM subscription, Cabin In-Talk PA system
• Standard Bluetooth
• Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition and Honda RealTime Traffic
• Standard 7-speaker audio
• Available 9-speaker audio or 12-speaker Bose Premium Sound System
•  

• Standard 4.2-inch color TFT-LCD cluster
• Available 12.3-inch full LCD dual curved integrated display meter cluster
  
• Standard 12.3-inch audio display unit with navigation, MAP OTA, Radio, SIRIUS XM, Voice Recognition, Multi Bluetooth function), Rear View Camera and TMU
• Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
• Driver Talk
• Quiet Mode
• Standard 6 speaker audio
• Available 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium surround sound system

• Available wireless charging
• 2.5-Amp USB Type-A  Front Console (1 Port)
• 3.0-Amp USB Type-C  Front Console (1 Port)
• 2.5-Amp USB Type-A - 2nd Row (2 Ports)
• Available 2.5-Amp USB Type-A Charging Port - 3rd Row (2 Ports)
• 1 12-volt (front)
  
• Available 12-volt (cargo)
• Available 110-Volt Power Outlet (2nd Row)
  
• Available WiFi Hotspot

• Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Available wireless charging
  
• USB charge ports
• Available 110V Inverter -  2nd Row: Rear of Center Console
• Available 110V Inverter -  Cargo Area/3rd Row: Passenger Side
  
  

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS™)
• Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow
• Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR)
• Traffic Jam Assist

Available Safety Features:

• • Low Speed Braking Control
  • Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
  • Cross Traffic Monitor
  • Head-up Display
  • Multi Camera View 

•  Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (FCA)
• Forward Collision Avoidance - Junction Turning (FCA-JT)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Highway Driving Assist (HDA 1.5)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve - NSCC-C
• Parking Distance Warning - Reverse (PDW-R)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision - Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Rear View Monitor (RVM) with Parking Guidance-Dynamic
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with STOP & GO (S&G)
• Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
• Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic Sensors (2nd and 3rd Rows)

Available Safety Features:

• Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) with Parallel Exit
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Forward Collision Avoidance - Junction Crossing (FCA-JC) 
• Forward Collision Avoidance - Lane Change Oncoming (FCA-LO)
• Forward Collision Avoidance - Lane Change Side (FCA-LS) 
• Forward Collision Avoidance - Evasive Steering Assist (FCA-ESA)
• Highway Driving Assist (HDA 2.0)
• Parking Distance Warning - Forward (PDW-F)
• Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse (PCA-R)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• 10.0-inch Head Up Display (HUD) TFT-LCD Type

• 3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions
• Front & Mid Row Outer 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System
• Advanced Front Airbags
• SmartVent® Front Side Airbags 
• Three-Row Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row Passenger-Side), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row All)
• Seat Belt Reminder for all Seating Positions
• Rear Seat Reminder
• Child-Proof Rear Door Locks
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control
• Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Electronic Parking Brake
• Brake Assist
• Hill Descent Control
• Hill Start Assist

• Dual front seat-mounted side airbags
• Dual front advanced airbags
• Full-length side curtain airbags
• Rear side (2nd row) airbags
• Driver's knee airbag
• Rollover sensor
• Side impact sensor
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Downhill Brake Control (DBC)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
• Torque Vectoring Corner Control (TVCC)
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
• Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) high-line
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
• Immobilizer

196.9"

69.3" with roof rails

71.0" - LX, Sport, Elite, Touring

70.9" - EX-L

72" - TrailSport

71.0" - LX, Sport, Elite, Touring

70.9" - EX-L

72" - TrailSport

291-horsepower

262 pound-feet

18.8

FWD/AWD

• 4,030 / 4,202 - LX
• 4,313 / 4,488 - Sport
• 4,306/ 4,497 - EX-L
• 4,262/ 4,464 EX-L 7
• 4,685 - TrailSport (AWD only)
• 4,418/ 4,625  - Touring
• 4,460 - Elite (AWD) only

FWD: 4,134 lbs - 4,381 lbs.

AWD : 4,325 - 4,522 lbs.

Click here for complete curb weights by trim.

5,000 -5,500  pounds