Surprising SUVs! 2027 Kia Telluride vs. 2026 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot has long been a staple in the garages of American families, but in the over 20 years since it was introduced, many new rivals have entered the scene. One of the biggest is the Kia Telluride, which had basically identical sales last year to the Pilot despite only being on the market for about five years. And this rivalry is heating up even more now, with the Pilot getting heavily updated and the Telluride getting fully redesigned! So, which is best for you in a 2027 Kia Telluride vs. 2026 Honda Pilot comparison? Let’s dive in and find out!

Exterior Design

Let’s get started with the exterior designs, where Honda and Kia have taken different routes when it comes to general appeal. While the Honda is more subdued, even with the larger grille and new silver scuff plate for 2026, the Kia is bold. They made the new Telluride boxier and tougher-looking, especially with the blacked-out X-Line version. 

The wheels certainly also reflect this difference in design philosophy, where the Pilot features simple 18-inch alloys, while the Telluride has big and bold 21-inch alloys.

Now for the features, we’ll begin with the headlights, both models feature full-LED arrangements, but the Telluride uses a more premium projector LED unit, over reflectors on the Pilot. Both also have LED fog lamps, something several rivals have largely eliminated.

Moving to the sides, just one inch separates them in length, making them some of the larger options for the segment. Similar length doesn’t guarantee similar space, though, so we will approach any packaging and cargo differences later in this comparison.

Lengths: Pilot: 200.1 inches | Telluride: 199.2 inches

The rears are also quite different in design, and the Kia has some feature advantages over the Pilot, including a more protected hidden rear wiper and fully LED taillamps, over just one LED element on the Honda. Both models have large branding and spoilers, and only the Pilot has the design touch of exposed exhaust outlets.

For towing, these models, as equipped, can haul an equivalent 5,000 lbs.

Towing: Both (Gas): 5,000 lbs

Headed to the mirrors, both have heating and Blind Spot Monitoring, but only the Telluride includes power folding as equipped.

Safety is important for family SUVs though, where each has all the standard Active Safety Features you’d expect, including highway steering assist systems to make those long family road trips less stressful and more enjoyable.

That concludes the outside, so let’s check out the updated interiors.

Interior Design

Approaching both, they have smart entry and remote start on the fob.

One more stop before getting inside, as the Telluride now has flush door handles that pop out on approach for the new generation. 

Opening the doors, the Telluride has a completely new cabin, and the Pilot sees several important upgrades. Let’s begin with the seats, where the Telluride has opted for a full SynTex faux leather seat on all the mid and upper trims for this new model. While not certainly uncomfortable, it’s less supple than the real leather found on the Pilot.

Functionality-wise, they both have 8-ways of adjustment, heating, and memory settings. However, the Telluride also adds in seat ventilation and 2 extra ways of lumbar adjustment.

Hopping inside, we can talk about the broad item of cabin quality, which we will divide into solidity and material selection. Both models exhibit excellent build quality and fit-and-finish, as expected from Honda and Kia these days. When it comes to materials, though, the Telluride pulls ahead. It uses more luxurious trim pieces, soft-touch plastics, and leatherette wrapping throughout the cabin. Overall, it’s the nicer place to be, over the more utilitarian Pilot.

After start-up, you will be greeted by digital gauge clusters, but only the Honda’s allows for fuller customization at this price point, including being able to put maps in there. 

Despite an asymmetry issue for the Kia, the steering wheels are leather-wrapped, and manual adjusting. But, the Telluride also adds heating at this price point.

Storage and Technology

But, the next major subject to evaluate is interior storage, broken into both the center console and extra cubbies throughout. When it comes to console space with our signature donut test, these two crossovers are both quite spacious, fitting 19 donuts in the Telluride and 20 in the Pilot, meaning they’re neck and neck with space.

Moving forward, both models show their family-friendly nature, with lots of extra cubbies, including a passenger shelf on the Pilot and pass-through storage on the Telluride. We’ll call this category even.

But, the Telluride’s console arrangement allows for an extra wireless phone charger, to keep your passenger covered as well.

To attain the additional space, both use electronic shifters, and in reverse, they display standard back up camera systems, both with active trajectory.

For the three-zone climate systems, both offer physical controls for the main settings. But, the Honda has all of the climate settings physically rendered, as compared to some of the controls being in a 5-inch climate touchscreen for the Kia.

They also have physical volume controls, so let’s test their audio systems. With almost the same number of speakers and no branding as equipped, we’ll call this category even.

Pilot: 9-speaker Audio

Telluride: 8-speaker Audio

Now to the central screens, which have very important upgrades this year. Honda moved the Pilot to a larger 12.3-inch screen this year and added Google built-in, for native access to apps like Google Maps. The Kia also has a 12.3-inch screen, but it does not have any Google apps.

What improved a lot for the all-new Telluride is that it finally has wireless ACP and AA, just like the Pilot. If you are a user of XM Satellite radio, be advised that Honda has removed that functionality across their lineup.

Up top, both include auto-dimming rearview mirrors. But only the Telluride includes a sunroof here.

Rear Seats and Cargo

Now, let’s see if there are any packaging differences in the rear areas! Starting with second row seat space, headroom is close, but the Telluride has a legroom advantage over 5% to score a point.

The Honda has long been one of the most practical options, so this is a big win for Kia, and both will be plenty comfortable for passengers.

Pilot: 40.8-inches of legroom | 39.2-inches of headroom

Telluride: Legroom: 43.0-inches | Headroom: 40.4-inches

Both have quite a few shared features as well, like sliding and reclining seats that have access to climate controls, USBs, sunshades, and vents.

However, the Pilot has a seating trick up its sleeve. While the Telluride is locked into 7-passenger seating on this trim, the Pilot has a removable seat that also serves as a console. This allows for on-demand 7 or 8-passenger seating, something the Kia cannot do.

Entering the third row, only the Telluride’s seats slide forward without folding the seatback, which means many child seats won’t have to be removed.

Space figures in both configurations are within a 5% margin, as neither are the class leaders in this respect. But they manage decently comfortable third rows with features like reclining seats, USBs, and cupholders.

Pilot: Legroom: 32.5-inches | Headroom: 39.3-inches

Telluride: Legroom: 32.1-inches | Headroom: 37.4-inches

Headed to the cargo holds, let’s pop open the tailgates to check out any differences, of which only the Kia’s is hands-free.

The measured figures are all within the 5% threshold, except for behind the third rows, where the Kia measures in larger. Perhaps because of how flat the rear end is, they can keep 3 extra inches of space behind the 3rd row, which adds to the cargo capacity as well. Both also have manual folding for the third rows, significant underfloor storage compartments and spare tires.

Pilot: Behind 3^rd Row: 18.6-cu.ft | 2^nd Row: 48.5-cu.ft | MAX: 87.0 cu. ft.

Telluride: Behind 3^rd Row: 22.3-cu.ft | 2^nd Row: 48.7-cu.ft | MAX: 89.3-cu.ft

But that’s it for the interiors, so now let’s take them out on the road, where there are even more changes to discuss!

Powertrains

Prior to their most recent changes, the Telluride and Pilot had more in common than not for their engine setups. But that’s no longer the case, as the new Kia trades in its V6 for a new Turbocharged 4-cylinder. Compared to the Honda, which continues with a V6, the Telluride has less horsepower but more torque. At the end of the day, acceleration is very similar, so everything balances out ultimately.

Pilot ICE: 3.5L V6: 285 hp | 262 lb.ft | 0-60 MPH: 7.2s

Telluride ICE: 2.5L Turbo I-4: 274 hp | 311 lb.ft | 0-60 MPH: 7.9s

Upon acceleration, you might notice the Pilot will retain a more luxurious and refined sound from its V6 engine.

Now, as far as the transmissions are concerned, the Kia and Honda have 8- and 10-speed automatics, respectively, with AWD systems as equipped. Performance is smooth in each, and off-road trims are available if you need even more capability.

Test Drive and Fuel Economy

Now, for ride quality and handling, which will be the one to excel? Honda bakes in its sporty heritage into every model, meaning the Pilot will feel more balanced and controlled down a backroad. The Telluride also feels smaller than it actually is but we will still give the edge to the Pilot overall.

Additionally, the Pilot is one of the most comfortable offerings in the segment for ride quality, soaking up most of the road imperfections, and that gets even more impressive with this EX-L trim on 18-inch wheels. While the Telluride isn’t uncomfortable by any means, the Pilot will top it here.

Here at Car Confections, something we like to do is take sound level readings for all the models we test so that we can compare them. Neither are the quietest options in the segment, but the Telluride is noticeably quieter. Like many Honda’s, we find that they use less sound deadening materials than rivals and use less on the lower trims.

Telluride: 57.5 dB @ 55 MPH

Pilot: 63.4 dB @ 55 MPH

Finally, when it comes to fuel economy, it’s surprisingly the Pilot’s V6 that is rated slightly better for fuel economy than the Kia’s turbo-4, though it’s not by enough to make a scorable difference.

The Kia also adds a newly available Hybrid system this year for more power and efficiency, something the Pilot doesn’t offer.

Pilot AWD: 19/25/21 MPG

Telluride AWD: 18/24/20 MPG

Resale & Reliability

In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP. 

Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which takes into account several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. Honda is one of the highest rated brands in the industry, sitting 13 spots above industry average. Meanwhile, Kia is 6 slots above the industry average.

However, the Kia has a large warranty advantage in both basic and powertrain offerings. Though, the Honda does offer one year of complimentary maintenance.

Pilot: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Comp Main: 1 yr

Telly: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 5yr/60k mi | Powertrain: 10yr/100k mi | Comp Main: N/A

We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, Honda again leads the pack, with its expected resale value at 64.79% of MSRP after 5 years, while Kia comes in at 49.0%.

And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to carconfections.com/resale and /reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.

Price Assessment

As we mentioned at the beginning, these two models are equipped at a very similar price point that most people shop in, and they are even called almost the same thing: Pilot EX-L and Telluride EX X-Line. With a much more digestible price than their almost $60k top trims, these models, just under $49,000, serve as reminders that value can be had in volume-selling trims as well.

Pilot (EX-L AWD): $46,595 | Options: +$455 | Destination: $1,495 | Total: $48,545

Telluride (EX X-Line AWD): $47,290 | Options: +$0 | Destination: $1,545 | Total: $48,835

To be exact, there is only a slim $290 price difference between these two rivals.

2027 Kia Telluride vs. 2026 Honda Pilot Winner!

So, there you have it! Do you agree? Here are a couple of things to consider when picking each one:

Pilot: 

• V6 Refinement with better fuel economy as I-4
• Seating capacity advantages
• Resale and Reliability

Telluride: 

• Additional second row comfort
• Lighting advantages
• Several features advantages throughout

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!