When it comes to midsize SUVs, the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot are two of the most popular options on the market. Both vehicles boast impressive features, strong performance, and plenty of space, making them ideal choices for families and adventurers alike.
But which one should you choose? In this article, we’ll compare the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot in various categories, including exterior design, interior comfort and quality, performance and handling, safety, and pricing.
Exterior Design:
The 2023 Kia Telluride features a bold, muscular design that sets it apart from other SUVs in its class. The signature “tiger-nose” grille, aggressive headlights, and prominent wheel arches give the Telluride a strong road presence. The LED headlights and taillights, as well as the integrated roof rails, add to the Telluride’s rugged, yet sophisticated look.
The 2023 Honda Pilot boasts a sleek, modern design with a more rounded silhouette. The front fascia features a broad chrome grille and LED headlights, giving the Pilot a commanding presence. The sculpted side panels, roof rails, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels enhance the SUV’s sporty and elegant appearance.
Interior Comfort and Quality:
The Telluride’s interior is spacious and well-appointed, with seating for up to eight passengers. High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces are used throughout the cabin, creating a luxurious atmosphere.
The standard features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a six-speaker audio system. Available options include Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front and rear seats, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
The Honda Pilot also offers seating for up to eight passengers, with a comfortable and functional interior. Soft-touch materials and available leather-trimmed seats give the cabin an upscale feel.
The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a seven-speaker audio system is standard. Optional features include a rear entertainment system, wireless phone charging, and a premium 10-speaker audio system.
Storage:
The Kia Telluride offers ample storage space, making it a practical choice for families and travelers. With all three rows of seats in place, the Telluride provides 21 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding down the third row increases the cargo capacity to 46 cubic feet, while folding both the second and third rows yields an impressive 87 cubic feet of storage space.
Additionally, the Telluride features numerous storage compartments and cupholders throughout the cabin for added convenience.
The Honda Pilot also boasts a generous amount of storage space. Behind the third row, there are 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space available. By folding down the third row, cargo capacity expands to 46.8 cubic feet.
With both the second and third rows folded down, the Pilot offers a total of 83.9 cubic feet of storage space. Like the Telluride, the Pilot includes multiple storage compartments and cupholders for added practicality.
Performance and Handling:
The Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive is standard, with optional all-wheel drive. The Telluride offers a smooth, comfortable ride, and its handling is composed and confident, making it an enjoyable SUV to drive.
The Pilot is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission comes standard, along with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Pilot provides a refined and comfortable ride, and its handling is agile and responsive, which makes it a pleasure to drive.
Safety:
The 2023 Kia Telluride comes standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
The Honda Pilot also includes a range of standard safety features, such as collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Trim Levels:
The 2023 Kia Telluride is available in four trim levels, each offering a different set of standard features and options to cater to various preferences and budgets. Here is an overview of each trim:
- LX: The base LX trim comes with a wealth of standard features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a six-speaker audio system, cloth upholstery, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
- S: The S trim adds a few upgrades to the base model. These include heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, second-row captain’s chairs, a power sunroof, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard on the S trim.
- EX: The EX trim offers more premium features, such as leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, dual-zone automatic climate control, power liftgate, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Additionally, the EX trim includes Highway Driving Assist and a Quiet Mode for the audio system.
- SX: The top-tier SX trim adds even more luxury and convenience features. These include LED projector headlights, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring with a camera, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and a power-folding third-row seat. An optional SX Prestige package further enhances the vehicle with Nappa leather upholstery, a head-up display, and ventilated second-row seats.
The 2023 Honda Pilot is available in five trim levels, each with a unique set of standard features and options to cater to different budgets and preferences. Here’s an overview of each trim:
- LX: The base LX trim comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a seven-speaker audio system, cloth upholstery, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Standard safety features include collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
- EX: The EX trim adds several upgrades, including heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, an HD radio, and remote engine start. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard on the EX trim.
- EX-L: The EX-L trim offers additional premium features such as leather-trimmed seats, a power liftgate, a power sunroof, a power-adjustable passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a HomeLink universal garage door opener.
- Touring: The Touring trim enhances the Pilot’s features with a hands-free power liftgate, a rear entertainment system, front and rear parking sensors, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and 20-inch alloy wheels. It also includes a 10-speaker premium audio system and blue ambient LED lighting.
- Elite: The top-of-the-line Elite trim includes all the features from the lower trims, as well as ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic roof, wireless phone charging, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Elite trim comes standard
Pricing:
The 2023 Kia Telluride is competitively priced within the midsize SUV segment. The base LX trim starts at $33,160, while the top-of-the-line SX Prestige package can reach up to $46,860. Various options and packages are available for customization, allowing buyers to find a Telluride that suits their needs and budget.
The 2023 Honda Pilot has a slightly higher starting price compared to the Telluride. The base LX trim starts at $34,500, and the price increases as you move up the trim levels, with the top-tier Elite trim starting at $49,220. Like the Telluride, the Pilot offers numerous options and packages for buyers to customize their vehicle according to their preferences.
Warranty:
Kia offers an industry-leading warranty for the 2023 Telluride, providing peace of mind for buyers. The warranty coverage includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, and a 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. Additionally, Kia provides a 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance program for added security.
Honda’s warranty for the 2023 Pilot is not as extensive as Kia’s but still offers solid coverage. The Pilot comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty. Honda does not provide a standard roadside assistance program, but it can be purchased separately through Honda Care.
Key Differences
Exterior Design:
- The Kia Telluride features a bold, muscular design with a signature “tiger-nose” grille, giving it a strong road presence.
- The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, has a sleeker, more rounded silhouette with a broad chrome grille, offering a more refined and elegant appearance.
Interior Quality:
- The Telluride’s interior is luxurious, with high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces used throughout the cabin.
- The Pilot also has a comfortable and functional interior, but it may not feel as upscale as the Telluride’s.
Infotainment System:
- The Telluride comes standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a larger display than the Pilot.
- The Pilot features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard.
Performance:
- The Telluride’s 3.8-liter V6 engine produces 291 horsepower, while the Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 engine generates 280 horsepower.
- The Telluride comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the Pilot features a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Storage Space:
- The Telluride offers slightly more cargo space, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and 87 cubic feet with both rows folded down.
- The Pilot has a bit less cargo space, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 83.9 cubic feet with both rows folded down.
Pricing:
- The Kia Telluride has a lower starting price, with the base LX trim starting at $33,160.
- The Honda Pilot’s base LX trim starts at a slightly higher price of $34,500.
Warranty Coverage:
- The Telluride offers an industry-leading warranty, with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, and a 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty.
- The Pilot’s warranty is less extensive, with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the 2023 Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot are both exceptional midsize SUVs that cater to families and drivers seeking a versatile, spacious, and comfortable vehicle. Each SUV has its unique strengths and appeals to different buyer preferences, with the Telluride showcasing a bold exterior design, luxurious interior, and industry-leading warranty, while the Pilot offers a more refined appearance, slightly more storage space, and a long-standing reputation for reliability.
The comparison of storage, pricing, warranty, and trim levels provides potential buyers with valuable information to make an informed decision based on their needs and priorities. Ultimately, both the Telluride and the Pilot are outstanding choices in the midsize SUV market, and a test drive of each model is recommended to determine which one is the perfect fit for your lifestyle and requirements.
Features Breakdown:
Here is an overview on the features of each vehicle:
2023 Kia Telluride:
- Exterior:
- Bold, muscular design
- Signature “tiger-nose” grille
- LED headlights and taillights
- Integrated roof rails
- Interior:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Available Nappa leather upholstery and ventilated seats
- Performance:
- 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive (standard), all-wheel drive (optional)
- A smooth, comfortable ride with composed handling
- Safety:
- Standard advanced safety features, including forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation
- Storage:
- 21 cubic feet behind the third row
- 46 cubic feet behind the second row
- 87 cubic feet with both rows folded down
- Pricing:
- Base LX trim starts at $33,160
- Top-of-the-line SX Prestige package reaches up to $46,860
- Warranty:
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty
- 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance program
2023 Honda Pilot:
- Exterior:
- Sleek, modern design
- Broad chrome grille
- LED headlights
- Sculpted side panels and roof rails
- Interior:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Soft-touch materials and available leather-trimmed seats
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Available rear entertainment system and wireless phone charging
- Performance:
- 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive (standard), all-wheel drive (optional)
- Refined, comfortable ride with agile handling
- Safety:
- Standard advanced safety features, including collision mitigation braking and lane-keeping assist
- Storage:
- 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row
- 46.8 cubic feet behind the second row
- 83.9 cubic feet with both rows folded down
- Pricing:
- Base LX trim starts at $34,500
- Top-tier Elite trim starts at $49,220
- Warranty:
- 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
- 5-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty
- Roadside assistance available separately through Honda Care
