Honda Pilot Vs Kia Telluride Comparison Test

This isn’t just another AutoGuide comparison test brought to you by WeatherTech. It’s one we refer to as the battle of the boxes, but there’s more to it than that.

It’s a contest involving a former front runner, the Honda Pilot, that fell a bit behind the pack leaders in recent times. But fresh off a redesign, it’s looking to reclaim its crown from one of the segment’s best, the Kia Telluride.

The Telluride has been a smash hit for Kia, combining technology, comfort, and value in an attractive package. For 2023, it receives a significant refresh inside and out.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The Telluride’s general shape hasn’t change with the refresh. Most of the same styling cues from the original model are still here, just slightly different. The amber daytime running lights are gone and a new grille is front and centre on the vehicle.

In the back it still uses a dual outlet exhaust on one side with a pair of taillights that curve inwards, midway up the hatch.

The new generation Pilot is more angular than the outgoing model, especially up front where the hood and grille are much flatter than before. The rear continues this squared-off theme including a pair of rectangular exhaust finishers that aren’t connected to the exhaust. Written across the entire cargo door is the word Pilot.

While on the topic of big badging, we’re not entirely sure which brand wins the battle for the largest grille logo. Both vehicles feature a large emblem up front that ensures everyone else on the road is well-aware of what brand builds these SUVs.

One quick side-note for our eagle-eye readers. Our Honda Pilot is the Canadian spec Black Edition which is similar in content to the US-spec Elite, but with the black wheels and trim bits found on the lower Sport model.

The Kia Telluride has always looked a class more expensive than it is inside, and the refresh continues that trend. Materials used through the cabin look and feel premium, with rarely a hard plastic surface to be found.

The dashboard is simple and sleek, with a pair of display screens hidden behind a single piece of translucent plastic. The climate control functions can be controlled by a row of dials and buttons. The main controls for the infotainment system are good for the most part, but there are a few changes we would make to the functions and intuition behind the control layout.

The Pilot’s new interior is well thought out with plenty of storage and a clean design. It’s more utilitarian, with better storage, but lacks the premium look and feel of the Kia’s cabin. This is especially true in the Pilot’s second row of seats where harder plastics dominate.

The climate controls of the Honda are easy to operate and well laid out. The infotainment screen features just two physical controls, a volume knob, and a set of tuner buttons. The small screen is simple enough to operate but could be better. We wouldn’t say either vehicle’s infotainment system is a segment leader. They get the job done, but there are better examples out there.

As mentioned, our comparison test features the top-of-the-line Honda Pilot Elite. It comes well equipped, with tri-zone climate control, heated second row seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, customizable digital driver information centre, 360-degree cameras, wireless phone charging, navigation, and of course all the latest safety technology.

The Kia Telluride we have on hand is also fully loaded. Called the SX Prestige X Line, it includes everything found in the Pilot mentioned above as well as a few more items, like lane watch cameras as well as ventilated and power folding second row seats. The Telluride is missing wireless Apple Carplay though, a feature found in the Pilot.

Drivers will appreciate the Pilot and Telluride from behind the wheel. Both offer comfortable front seats, but we give the edge to the Pilot. It features a truly fantastic, supportive, yet cushiony bucket seat that should provide hours of comfort.

Moving back to the second row and the advantage grows for the Honda. Both vehicles offer excellent legroom and headroom. Large side windows and a panoramic sunroof let ample light in for both SUVs as well. Where the difference lies is with the seats themselves. The Pilot’s bench is soft, comfortable and contours nicely. The Telluride’s captain’s chairs are overly firm and very flat, especially on the backrest.

Bucking the trend of downsized turbocharged four-cylinder engines, both vehicles still use traditional naturally aspirated V6 units. Honda continues to use a 3.5-liter six-cylinder that now makes 285 hp and 269 lb-ft. of torque. Slightly larger, the Telluride’s 3.8-liter V6 makes 291 hp, but a bit less torque at 262 lb-ft.

Despite equal levels of power, the Kia feels more sluggish at low engine speeds. Even with a lower curb weight, the Telluride’s big V6 and eight-speed automatic can feel strained until the rpms build, at which point it unleashes a wall of power and really propels the Telluride forward. It’s a bit of an all or nothing sensation, one that’s amplified by the transmission which is slow to kick down gears in normal driving situations.

When it comes to ride quality, the Pilot once again holds the edge. The suspension is better at swallowing up bumps and smoothing out cracked pavement. The Telluride doesn’t exactly crash over road imperfections, as it to delivers a mostly smooth ride. But the Kia’s suspension is easier to unsettle and send vibrations into the cabin.

Neither vehicle has a steep learning curve when it comes to operating them. The Telluride drives bigger, feeling more like a substantial SUV. The Pilot isn’t exactly agile, but it does have a more car-like feel to driving it.

Both large family haulers are well executed. In a crowded, competitive segment, they’re front runners. But in this battle of the boxes presented by WeatherTech, we give the slight edge to the Honda Pilot.

The Kia Telluride still looks and feels like a more premium vehicle, but with better passenger comfort, a more flexible drivetrain, and superior road manners, the Honda Pilot wins by a narrow margin.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.