Kia Telluride Vs Honda Pilot: Fully Compared
Chris is Head of Content for FindTheBestCarPrice and is based out of Philadelphia, PA. As a seasoned automotive industry analyst and car enthusiast, he ensures the highest level of quality across all our content and curates our picks for the best deals each month.
Chris studied information systems and marketing at Drexel University and writes about a wide range of topics ranging from car buying tips to troubleshooting common mechanical issues.
When he’s not thinking about cars, he likes to stay in with his dog and make an “attempt” to finish a crossword puzzle (he’s not quite at the Saturday/Sunday level…yet). As a former cheesemonger, Chris still has a “sharp” passion for all things cheese, and his fridge is always loaded with it!
Unbelievable, but the Kia Telluride seems to be a better SUV than the Honda Pilot. We’d all know the Honda Pilot to be a super impressive mid-size SUV for all SUVing needs, but the Telluride has continued to beat most of these prominent SUVs since it appeared in 2020, and the Honda Pilot doesn’t seem to be holding up well.
But what is the difference between Kia Telluride vs Honda Pilot? Well, I tested both, and I found many ways in which they are true rivals.
Let’s say it’s a battle between consumers’ acceptance, reliability, and performance. The Honda Pilot is one of the best and highest-ranking SUVs in the United States; it’s a three-row SUV with so much space to offer. The Kia Telluride is a classy SUV with lots of modern features and hi-tech systems.
This comparison guide looks at the distinctive differences between these two popular mid-size SUVs loved by many people in the United States.
Table of Contents
Kia Telluride Overview
Introduced in 2019 for the 2020 model year, the Kia Telluride is one of the most coveted rides of the moment – especially in the U.S. It has topped many charts and has remained on the top spots, thanks to its premium/luxurious exterior and interior design. When I tested the Kia Telluride, there was no doubt that the SUV is a pure definition of class and luxury.
But then, the Kia Telluride is not a luxury ride; it’s a non-luxury SUV with premium features and techs – call it a “Premium SUV.”
Kia Telluride won the 2020 Word Car award – it is a decent SUV for any family – offering seating space for up to eight passengers. The Telluride SUV can go off-road, but you have to choose the capable off-road trim.
Compared with other popular like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride is quite cheaper and looks much better on the inside – the base model comes with a leatherette interior, well-polished.
Honda Pilot Overview
The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating; it is Honda’s largest SUV offering to the North American market. Pilots are currently made in Lincoln, Alabama, packed with many new technologies you’d find useful. Honda Pilots are rated among the top 6 best mid-size SUVs to own and drive.
Launched in 2002 – a year after Toyota launched its Highlander SUV series – the Honda Pilot has been facelifted and upgraded quite many times to look like it does right now. The current design is sleeker and more spacious. However, the Honda Pilot is based on the platform of the Acura MDX and Odyssey minivan.
Compared with the Kia Telluride, I found that the Pilot really stands out in handling and comfortability. The cargo space provided by Honda Pilot is arguably the largest you can get from any three-row SUV of its class. You can’t go wrong with a newer model Honda Pilot.
Kia Telluride Vs Honda Pilot
No doubt, if you’re looking for an SUV ride spacious enough for the family, has a large trunk space, affordable price, and is suitable for slight off-road driving, the Telluride and Pilot checks all the boxes.
| Model/Feature | Kia Telluride | Toyota Higher |
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| Rating (Cars.USNews) | ||
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Note: This comparison (chart and article) is largely based on the 2022 models of the Telluride and Pilot.
1. Engine, Transmission, and Acceleration
Both the Telluride and Pilot come with a standard V6 engine, but the Telluride particularly comes with a 291-hp, 3.8L engine that goes from 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds, while the Pilot comes with a 280hp 3.8L engine that accelerates as fast as the Telluride – it’s almost a tie.
However, while the Telluride comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Pilot comes with a 10-speed transmission. Also, the Kia Telluride’s standard V6 engine produces up to 262 pound-feet of torque at 5200 rpm, and the Pilot produces 262 pound-feet of torque at 4700 rpm.
2. Exterior Design
With the well-crafted body design, the Telluride looks more interesting and catchy to the eye. While the Honda Pilot doesn’t have so much of an appealing body design compared with the Telluride, it still looks good, and many people love it that way.
Both the Telluride and Pilot come standard with all-season tires and a compact spare tire.
3. Interior Design
On the inside, the Kia Telluride has a better appealing interior with a leatherette finish. The Honda Pilot has a cloth interior – although it looks cute, it’s not as appealing as the synthetic leather interior in the base model Kia Telluride.
Both SUVs come with power windows and locks as standard interior components. Also, you’re getting heated front seats and folding rear seats as standard features. For sure, there are several ports to connect your devices while on either of these rides.
4. Towing Capacity
With the proper gear, a Kia Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds of weight; but on the other hand, a well-equipped Honda Pilot can tow only 3,500-pound tons. So, definitely, the Telluride can definitely move more tons than the Honda Pilot, and that means a lot for campers.
5. Infotainment and Tech Features
The Honda Pilot comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to connect your devices.
Also the 2022 model also comes with a rearview backup camera, i-MID central dashboard, USB connectors, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and tri-zone climate control features as standard.
On the other hand, Tellurides come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and higher trims come with a 12-inch touchscreen display.
Particularly, Tellurides come with Kia Drive Wise tech, which integrates the following: forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, active blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance - to mention a few.
