All-New Kia Telluride · The 3-Row Face-Off
Kia Telluride vs Honda Pilot
Longer coverage than Honda. A hybrid Pilot can’t match. Bigger tech budget without a bigger price tag.
Few three-row SUVs get cross-shopped as often as these two. Against the Honda Pilot, the redesigned Kia Telluride brings a 329-hp Hybrid Honda can’t offer at any price, roughly double the powertrain warranty coverage, and a lower starting sticker loaded with more standard technology. The team at Dean McCrary Kia Hattiesburg breaks down every difference below.
10yr/100kKia powertrain coverage
329 hpTelluride Hybrid — Honda has nothing like it
$39,190MSRP to start*
8Seats, standard
5,000 lbMax tow rating, properly equipped
6×Years as KBB Best Buy
Bottom Line First
Where the Telluride Pulls Ahead
Put the redesigned Telluride next to the Honda Pilot and four everyday priorities tip toward Kia — what’s covered, what it costs to run, how much tech comes standard, and what you pay to get in. Here’s the short version before the deep dive.
Warranty Leader
2×the coverage
10yr/100k vs Pilot’s 5yr/60k
Honda’s powertrain coverage doesn’t come close — Kia backs every Telluride with nearly twice the protection, ten years or 100,000 miles against the Pilot’s five years or 60,000.
Hybrid Power
329hp hybrid
Pilot offers no hybrid — at all
There’s no hybrid Pilot at any trim level. Kia’s first-ever Telluride Hybrid, meanwhile, combines 329 horsepower with an EPA-estimated 35 MPG.
Value Leader
$1klower start
$39,190 vs ~$40,200 Pilot Sport
Even the base LX undercuts the Pilot on price while adding more standard equipment — a 12.3″ touchscreen and the full driver-assist suite included from the start.
Award Leader
6×KBB Best Buy
Plus World Car of the Year
Honda’s Pilot has yet to match this trophy case: World Car of the Year, MotorTrend SUV of the Year, and the number-one ranking in J.D. Power Initial Quality.
Pricing & Trim Lineup
What You Pay & What You Get
Both nameplates hover near the $40K mark to start, yet the Telluride undercuts the Pilot, loads in extra standard tech, and climbs higher up the lineup with X-Line, X-Pro, and a Hybrid variant Honda simply doesn’t build.
Configuration
Kia TellurideAll-New
Honda Pilot2026
Starting MSRP*
$39,190Lower Start
~$40,200
Trim Range
LX → X-Pro SX Prestige + HybridWider Range
Sport → Elite + Black Edition
Powertrains
Gas + HybridHybrid Option
Gas V6 only
Standard Touchscreen
12.3″Bigger Std
7″ base / 9″ upper
Off-Road Trim
X-Line, X-Pro (9.1″ clearance, e-LSD)
TrailSport (8.3″ clearance)
Drivetrain
FWD standard, AWD available
FWD standard, AWD available
Power & Efficiency
Twice the Powertrain Choices. One of Them a Hybrid.
Kia gives buyers a torque-strong turbo four as the standard engine and a 329-hp Hybrid on top of it. Honda counters with just one engine option — a smooth V6 that edges out the Telluride slightly in peak horsepower, yet trails it in torque and offers no electrified alternative.
Kia Telluride
2 Powertrain Options
- 2.5L Turbo I4 — 274 hp / 311 lb-ft
- 1.6L Turbo Hybrid — 329 hp combined, ~35 MPG
- 8-speed automatic
- Standard FWD, available AWD (standard on X-Line / X-Pro)
Honda Pilot
1 Powertrain Option
- 3.5L V6 — 285 hp / 262 lb-ft
- 10-speed automatic
- Standard FWD, available AWD
- No hybrid powertrain available
Powertrain Spec
Kia Telluride
Honda Pilot
Base Gas Horsepower
274 hp (turbo)
285 hp (V6)
Base Gas Torque
311 lb-ft+49 lb-ft
262 lb-ft
Hybrid Available
Yes — 329 hpExclusive
Not offered
Hybrid Fuel Economy
~35 MPG combinedBest Efficiency
N/A — gas only
Max Towing
5,000 lb
5,000 lb
Space, Efficiency & Confidence
What You’ll Notice Over Time
On seating and cargo capacity, these two are essentially tied — both hold eight passengers and roughly 87 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. It’s the ownership details, the ones that show up years down the road, where the Telluride pulls away.
Peace of Mind
100kmile warranty
vs Pilot’s 60k-mile powertrain
Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection keeps you covered for twice as long as Honda’s 5-year/60,000-mile term.
Efficiency
~35mpg hybrid
Pilot has no hybrid answer
At an EPA-estimated 35 MPG combined, the Telluride Hybrid keeps real dollars out of the gas tank on every school run and road trip.
Capability
9.1″clearance
X-Pro vs TrailSport’s 8.3″
All-terrain tires, an electronic limited-slip differential, and several Terrain Modes come standard on the X-Pro — real off-road hardware, not just styling.
Cabin Tech & Safety
Bigger Screens. Broader Assist. Included.
Neither SUV skimps on core driver-assist features, and both score well in safety testing. The gap shows up in how much tech comes standard on the Telluride versus reserved for the Pilot’s top trims.
Kia Telluride
Standard 12.3″ touchscreen, with dual 12.3″ panoramic displays available
Highway Driving Assist 2 available for hands-free-capable highway cruising
14-speaker Meridian premium sound system available
Complete driver-assist suite comes standard even on the base LX
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included standard
360-degree camera and Blind-Spot View Monitor offered as options
Powertrain protection runs 10 years / 100,000 miles
Honda Pilot
Touchscreen sizes span 7″ on base trims to 9″ higher up — dual-display setup not offered
Hands-free highway driving isn’t available at any trim
12-speaker Bose audio available, but only on the Elite trim
Standard equipment includes the Honda Sensing driver-assist suite
Also includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard
Gas V6 is the only engine — no hybrid offered
Powertrain warranty caps at 5 years / 60,000 miles
What Reviewers Say
Let the Trophies Talk
Both SUVs have been scrutinized by independent judges year after year, and the hardware this segment is measured by keeps landing with the Telluride.
World Car Awards
World Car of the Year
No generation of the Pilot has claimed this trio: the Telluride’s flagship award, paired with MotorTrend SUV of the Year and North American Utility of the Year.
Kelley Blue Book
Best Buy, 6 Straight Years
Every single eligible year, KBB has crowned it the midsize SUV Best Buy — upscale feel, without the upscale price tag.
J.D. Power · 2025 IQS
#1 in Initial Quality
Owners reported fewer problems in their first 90 days than any rival in the upper-midsize SUV class.
NHTSA & IIHS
Top Safety Marks — Both
Federal regulators and insurance-industry crash testers rate the Telluride and Pilot equally well — on protection, it’s a genuine toss-up.
Still Comparing the Pilot? Drive the Telluride First.
Walk our lot on US Hwy 98 in the Hub City and you’ll find every Telluride and Telluride Hybrid we carry, a straight number on your trade, and the chance to feel the difference firsthand — all in a single visit.
Telluride vs Pilot — Common Questions
Is the Kia Telluride better than the Honda Pilot?⌄
In most cases, yes. Warranty coverage favors the Telluride (10yr/100k powertrain against Honda’s 5yr/60k), it offers a 329-hp Hybrid with no Pilot equivalent, its standard 12.3″ touchscreen beats the Pilot’s and dual displays are available, and pricing starts roughly $1,000 lower. The Pilot is still a dependable, well-built option, but on overall value the Telluride comes out on top. Browse live Telluride inventory here.
Which has more power — Telluride or Pilot?⌄
Depends on which engine you’re comparing. At 285 hp, the Pilot’s 3.5L V6 holds a narrow peak-horsepower advantage over the Telluride’s 274-hp 2.5L turbo. Torque tells a different story, though — the Telluride’s turbo four delivers 311 lb-ft against the Pilot’s 262, giving it stronger pull off the line, and the optional Telluride Hybrid tops both with 329 combined horsepower. There’s no hybrid Pilot to compete with it.
Does the Honda Pilot offer a hybrid?⌄
It doesn’t — the 2026 Pilot runs on gas only. Kia counters with its first-ever Telluride Hybrid, combining 329 horsepower with an EPA-estimated 35 MPG, a powertrain choice Honda has no version of.
Is the Kia Telluride cheaper than the Honda Pilot?⌄
Its starting price sits a little under the Pilot’s — the Telluride LX runs about $39,190 versus roughly $40,200 for a Pilot Sport, both figures before destination — while including more tech from the factory. Match the trims up evenly and the Telluride typically stretches your budget further.
What’s the warranty difference between Kia and Honda?⌄
The gap is substantial: Kia covers the Telluride for 10 years / 100,000 miles on the powertrain and 5 years / 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, while Honda’s Pilot gets 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain and just 3 years / 36,000 miles limited.
What does the Honda Pilot do better?⌄
Give credit where it’s due: the Pilot’s naturally aspirated V6 appeals to buyers who like its smooth, uncomplicated feel, its TrailSport trim delivers legitimate off-road chops, Honda carries a long track record for reliability, and cargo and seating room are on par with the Telluride. Buyers set on a non-turbo V6 should give it a test drive. That said, the Telluride still leads on warranty length, hybrid availability, standard tech, and price.
Where can I compare them near Hattiesburg, MS?⌄
You’ll find the complete Telluride and Telluride Hybrid lineup at Dean McCrary Kia, 7124 US Hwy 98 in Hattiesburg — an easy trip from Petal, Oak Grove, Purvis, Columbia, Laurel, and the wider Pine Belt. Stop by and experience the difference firsthand.
Pine Belt · Telluride vs Pilot
In the Market for a 3-Row SUV Near Hattiesburg?
From Forrest and Lamar counties out to Covington and Perry, Dean McCrary Kia gives Pine Belt families the region’s largest Telluride selection. Cross-shopping the Honda Pilot? Here’s why Hattiesburg should be your first stop.
- Every Telluride trim in live inventory — from LX up to X-Pro SX Prestige, Hybrid included
- Get your current SUV valued in minutes for a fair, honest trade number
- Every new Telluride includes upfront pricing with no surprise add-ons
- Factory-trained service techs, scheduled maintenance, and genuine Kia parts
Dean McCrary Kia
Address7124 US Hwy 98, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Sales(601) 544-4007
Sales HoursMon–Sat 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Sources & Verification
This page sets the redesigned Kia Telluride against the 2026 Honda Pilot. Pricing and specifications came from manufacturer sources (kia.com, hondanews.com) along with Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and Car and Driver, and reflect information current at the time of publication. The MSRP listed is the base figure, excluding destination, taxes, title, and dealer fees — AWD, hybrid drivetrains, and upper trims cost more. Horsepower, torque, towing capacity, and payload are measured independently and may not all be reached at once. Fuel economy figures are EPA estimates provided for comparison only; real-world mileage will differ.
Honda Motor Co. holds the trademarks for Honda, Pilot, TrailSport, and Honda Sensing; mentions of Kia, Telluride, and Meridian appear here solely for comparison purposes. The awards referenced span both the current and prior Telluride generations. This page represents the dealership’s own analysis and is meant for general information only, not a guarantee. Because pricing and offers change, reach out to Dean McCrary Kia to confirm current figures.
Comparing the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot — Dean McCrary Kia in Hattiesburg, MS
Across four key measures, the redesigned Kia Telluride outperforms the Honda Pilot: powertrain warranty (10 years/100,000 miles versus Honda’s 5 years/60,000 miles), hybrid availability (a 329-hp Telluride Hybrid against no hybrid Pilot at all), standard tech (a 12.3-inch touchscreen compared to the Pilot’s 7-to-9-inch), and starting price (roughly $39,190 versus $40,200). Seating for eight, a 5,000-pound tow rating, and top-tier safety scores are shared by both. In Hattiesburg, Mississippi — where I-59, US-49, US-98, and US-11 meet — Dean McCrary Kia carries the complete Telluride and Telluride Hybrid lineup for shoppers in Petal, Oak Grove, Purvis, Columbia, and the surrounding Pine Belt.