When it comes to shopping for an SUV, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. The market is abundant with SUVs that offer different features and capabilities. Two popular options in the market today are the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride. Before you head to your local Honda dealership, let’s take a comprehensive comparison of the two SUVs to help you make the best choice for you and your family.
Engines:
The Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride both have a 3.5-liter V6 engine. However, the Honda Pilot’s engine is more powerful with an output of 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. On the other hand, the Kia Telluride’s engine produces a maximum of 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Despite the Kia Telluride’s slightly higher horsepower, it does not affect the Honda Pilot’s acceleration, which boasts a quicker 0-60 mph time. The Honda Pilot also has a fuel economy advantage with an EPA-estimated 19/27/22 mpg city/highway/combined, while the Kia Telluride has a rating of an EPA-estimated 20/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined.
Capability:
When it comes to capability, the Honda Pilot has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds while the Kia Telluride has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds as well. Nonetheless, only the Honda Pilot has an available all-wheel-drive system that enhances its potential in off-road situations and challenging terrains. The Kia Telluride comes with the standard front-wheel-drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive. The Honda Pilot, with its Variable Torque Management AWD system, ensures a comfortable and smooth ride on any surface by transferring torque between the front and rear wheels to deliver optimal traction.
Interior:
Both SUVs offer a comfortable and safe interior, with the Kia Telluride having a slight advantage in overall size and more head and legroom for passengers than the Honda Pilot. However, Honda Pilot makes up for it with an ample amount of cargo space behind the third-row, ultimately providing up to 83.9 cubic ft of storage space. The Honda Pilot offers spacious seating for 8 passengers, with ample head and legroom in all three rows, as well as multiple charging ports in all rows. The back row can be folded down flat to expand the cargo area to 109 cubic feet. Additionally, the Pilot has plenty of storage space with a large center console and multiple cupholders. The Kia Telluride can accommodate up to 8 passengers as well, with plenty of headroom in all rows. It comes with a decent amount of storage space, including a large center console and multiple cupholders. The cargo area is slightly smaller, at an impressive 87 cubic feet.
Exterior Features
From the outside, the Honda Pilot has a sporty yet sophisticated design. It is equipped with LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, providing clear visibility in all driving conditions. The grille is bold, chrome-finished, and gets a diamond pattern to make it stand out. The front and rear bumpers are body-colored and blended in well with the rest of the body. The Pilot rolls on 18-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim level. The Kia Telluride has a boxier, tough-looking exterior design. It comes with LED headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lights. The grille is finished in a dark satin chrome and has a bold vertical pattern, which gives it a distinct look. The Telluride rides on 18-inch or 20-inch wheels, depending on the trim level. Though the Telluride has a stylish exterior design, it lacks the sportiness that the Honda Pilot has.
Technology:
The Kia Telluride possesses a more advanced technology system with several driver-assist features that come standard. It also has an intuitive 10.25-inch touchscreen display, which the Honda Pilot does not have. However, Honda Pilot’s infotainment system does not fall back. It features an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot. Additionally, the Honda Pilot has an available rear-seat entertainment system that includes a Blu-ray player, an HDMI input, and a 115-volt power outlet with wireless headphones. The Honda Pilot has a user-friendly infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. It also offers features such as wireless phone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 10-speaker sound system. The Kia Telluride offers a similar infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration. The Telluride also includes a 6-speaker sound system, satellite radio, and wireless phone charging (on higher-level trims).
Safety Features:
The Honda Pilot is equipped with numerous standard driver assistance features, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking that can detect and avoid pedestrians. Other features include lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a rearview camera. The Pilot has received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Kia Telluride also has similar driver assistance features like the Pilot that come standard in all trims. It has a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Telluride has also received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
In summary, both Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride have top-notch exterior and safety features. While the Pilot has a sportier exterior and more sophisticated features, the Telluride has a rugged exterior design that will appeal to some buyers. When it comes to safety features, both SUVs have similar systems that provide a safe and secure driving experience. Ultimately, the decision of which SUV to choose depends on personal preferences and driving needs. We hope our comparison of the two helps you make an informed decision.
