Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Reliability tops the list for most three-row SUV buyers, since these family haulers are expected to rack up big miles over many years. The Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Kia Telluride are three of the segment's favorites, praised for space, comfort, and value, but they do not all age equally. When it comes to staying out of the shop, one stands above the rest.2026 Toyota HighlanderToyotaOwner-reported complaints, recall history, and long-term repair costs separate a merely good SUV from a genuinely bulletproof one. Here is how the Highlander, Pilot, and Telluride compare on dependability, and which one earns the reliability crown.2026 Honda Pilot Black EditionHondaSpecs and pricingSpecificationToyota HighlanderHonda PilotKia TellurideEngine2.4L turbo or 2.5L hybrid3.5L V6, 285 hp3.8L V6, 291 hpReliability reputationExcellent, class-leadingStrongGood, but more recallsPlatform maturityMature, since 2020Newer, since 2023Since 2020Powertrain warranty5-year / 60,000-mile5-year / 60,000-mile10-year / 100,000-mileStarting priceAbout $40,000About $40,000About $38,000A Toyota Highlander and a Honda Pilot open near each other on price, but on long-term dependability they are not quite even.2026 Kia TellurideKiaHow reliable is the Toyota Highlander?Dependability is the Highlander's calling card. Toyota's three-row SUV has one of the strongest reliability reputations in the entire segment, with the lowest owner-complaint rate of this trio and among the lowest annual repair costs, at roughly $489.2026 Toyota HighlanderToyotaAdvertisementAdvertisementIts current generation has been on sale since 2020, so the platform is mature and most early bugs are long since resolved, and its available hybrid system is a proven, well-understood design with years of real-world durability behind it. It is the safe, no-drama choice.How reliable is the Honda Pilot?Solid dependability with a small asterisk describes the Pilot. Honda's reputation for durable, well-engineered vehicles is well earned, and the Pilot is a genuinely reliable SUV that should serve a family faithfully for years.Kristen BrownThe caveat is that its current generation only arrived in 2023, so it is earlier in its lifecycle than the Highlander, with a slightly higher owner-complaint rate and marginally higher repair costs, around $542 a year, as the newer design settles. It is a strong, trustworthy pick, just a step behind the more proven Toyota.How reliable is the Kia Telluride?Excellent to own, but the shakiest on paper here. The Telluride is a superb SUV in almost every respect, and Kia backs it with a class-leading 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty that offsets some ownership risk.2026 Kia TellurideKiaThe concern is its record: it carries the highest owner-complaint rate of this trio and a notably long list of recalls over its life, some serious enough to prompt park-outside fire warnings for affected vehicles. Its dependability has improved and the warranty helps, but on the raw numbers it trails the two Japanese rivals.So which one is the most reliable?The Toyota Highlander is the clear winner. It posts the lowest owner-complaint rate and among the lowest repair costs of the three, its platform is mature and thoroughly sorted, and its hybrid option is one of the most proven in the business, making it the safest long-term bet for a family that keeps its vehicles a long time. For dependability above all, it is the one to buy.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Honda Pilot is a strong and worthy runner-up, reliable in its own right but slightly less proven while its newer generation matures. The Kia Telluride is a wonderful SUV with the best warranty here, but its higher complaint rate and heavier recall history place it third on pure reliability, even if that warranty softens the blow. For the most dependable three-row SUV of the trio, the Highlander wins.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.