KiaWhen the Kia Telluride launched for 2020, it became an instant hit for a number of reasons, but one seems to really stand out. Buyers got a three-row SUV that looked upscale and felt luxurious without the higher sticker price. Kia actually skipped the 2026 model year for the Telluride, jumping into a full redesign for 2027, which included the addition of a hybrid powertrain.The Honda Pilot, the Telluride's rival from day one, offers only a V6 for now. Honda has confirmed a hybrid Pilot is coming, but not until sometime between 2027 and 2030. Buyers deciding between these two nameplates have three options at the moment: the gas Telluride, the Telluride Hybrid, and the V6 Pilot.Here is a look at how those three stack up, from the engine specs and fuel economy to interior features and warranty.By the numbersSpecs, pricing, fuel economy, and towing, comparedThe bullet-point list below offers a quick powertrain and starting MSRP summary, which includes the destination charge for each SUV:AdvertisementAdvertisement2026 Honda Pilot: 3.5-liter V6, 285 horsepower, 262 lb-ft. of torque, starting at $43,890.2027 Kia Telluride: 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder, 274 horsepower, 311 lb-ft. of torque, starting at $40,735.2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid: 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder plus two electric motors, 329 horsepower, 339 lb-ft. of torque, starting at $48,035.Here is a quick look at the EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings for both:2026 Honda Pilot: 19 in the city, 27 on the highway, and 22 combined in front-wheel drive, dropping to 19/25/21 with all-wheel drive.2027 Kia Telluride: 20 in the city, 26 on the highway, and 22 combined, dropping to 18/24/20 with all-wheel drive.AdvertisementAdvertisement2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid. 32 in the city, 34 on the highway, and 33 combined in front-wheel drive, dropping to 30/32/31 with all-wheel drive.A few things stand out here. The gas Telluride starts at $3,155 less than the Pilot ($40,735 vs. $43,890) while making more torque (311 lb-ft. vs. 262 lb-ft.), even though the Pilot's V6 edges it on horsepower (285 vs. 274). The two gas engines return identical fuel economy at 22 mpg combined, so for a buyer who wants a gasoline engine, the Telluride is the better value on paper.The Telluride Hybrid is the only one that wins on both power and efficiency at once, an unusual pairing since buyers often give up one to get the other. At 329 horsepower and 33 mpg combined, it beats both other options on both fronts, though that competitive edge costs $7,300 more than the gas Telluride and $4,145 more than the Pilot.When properly equipped, the gasoline Telluride can tow up to 5,000 lbs., dropping to 4,500 lbs. with Telluride Hybrid models. The Honda Pilot tows up to 5,000 lbs. with all-wheel drive and 3,500 lbs. with front-wheel drive when properly equipped.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile towing capacity is comparable between the two, Honda's non-turbo V6 has earned a reputation for long-term durability. Likewise, Honda has built a similar reputation for value across its SUV lineup, with models like the Pilot able to hold their own against established European luxury brands.However, the Kia Telluride has earned Kelley Blue Book's Best Buy Award in its class almost every year since 2020, taking the "Best Midsize SUV" title for a sixth straight year in 2025, a record for the category. The original Telluride was also named the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the North American Car of the Year jury.Trim walk: X-Pro vs. TrailSportBuilt for mild off-roading with fun tech integrationBoth automakers reserve their most rugged trim for buyers who plan to leave pavement every now and again.The Telluride X-Pro sits atop the gas lineup, starting around $55,235 with destination. Key features include 9.1 inches of ground clearance, an electronic limited-slip differential, 18-inch all-terrain tires, and a Terrain Mode drive setting. A Ground View Monitor displays a camera-based view of the terrain directly beneath the vehicle at low speeds, while an off-road status screen tracks pitch, roll, and steering angle in real time.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Pilot TrailSport starts at $50,595 and comes standard with Honda's i-VTM4 all-whee drive system, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a TrailWatch camera system with an added front-facing washer. It's also the only Pilot trim with a full-size spare tire rather than a compact one, plus a standard trailer hitch receiver with its own recovery point.Honda has one advantage the Telluride can't match yet. The Honda Trail Experience app, a free iPhone download, pulls real-time telemetry from TrailSport models, including pitch, roll, brake pressure, and throttle position. Drivers can display up to six of those data points on the interior touchscreen at once, swapping the layout based on what matters most on a given trail.The app also captures video, using the iPhone's camera and microphone to record footage with map and performance data overlaid. Capture is controlled from the touchscreen, so the phone can be mounted anywhere on or around the Honda Pilot.Cargo space and infotainment screensWhere the two SUVs differ insideThe 2027 Kia Telluride is almost three inches longer than the outgoing generation, with a redesigned center console and infotainment layout that includes fun Disney, Marvel, and NBA themes. Every 2027 Telluride includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen running Kia's ccNC infotainment system, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SX models and above swap in a second 12.3-inch display, combining it into a single panoramic unit.AdvertisementAdvertisementDual wireless phone chargers are standard across the entire Telluride lineup. The top three trims, SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige, and X-Pro SX Prestige, add front relaxation seats with power leg rests, a driver's massage seat, and heated seats in all three rows.All six trims for the 2026 Honda Pilot include Google built-in with a three-year unlimited data plan. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen is an improvement over the smaller unit in prior Pilots. Touring, Elite, and Black Edition add a Bose premium audio system, while TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition all get a panoramic moonroof.With friends and family in tow, the Telluride's second row offers 43 inches of legroom, well ahead of most competitors in its class, while the third row offers 32.1 inches. Cargo space is 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row in the gas Telluride versus 21.3 in the Hybrid, a small tradeoff for the extra efficiency.The Pilot's second row offers 40.8 inches of legroom, with 32.5 inches in the third row, about even with the Telluride there. Cargo space measures 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row, well behind either Telluride.Who should buy which one and whyAt the end of the day, there are three profiles here to consider:AdvertisementAdvertisementBuyers who log a lot of highway miles and want the lowest fuel costs should choose the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid.Buyers who desire the lowest entry price should choose the gas Telluride.Buyers who trust Honda's longer reliability history should opt for the Pilot.The 2027 Kia Telluride has a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of corrosion protection. The hybrid battery carries a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on top of that.The 2026 Honda Pilot has a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of corrosion protection with unlimited mileage.
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