Kia Built Two Three-Row SUVs, and Your Family Only Needs One Family SUV shopping gets tricky when one brand builds two great three-row models. Kia parks the Sorento and the Telluride on the same showroom floor, and plenty of Muncie families arrive unsure which one fits their garage. Both seats for the whole crew. Both carry Kia's 10-year powertrain limited warranty. The choice comes down to size, power, and price. The 2026 Kia Sorento runs from $32,390 to $47,790 across eight gas trims, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions sold separately. Kia skipped a 2026 Telluride and launched the redesigned SUV as a 2027 model priced from $39,190 to $56,790. A gas Telluride is nearly 10 inches longer than the Sorento and holds 22.3 cubic feet behind row three, next to the Sorento's 12.6. One Brand, Two Model Years One quirk needs a mention first. Kia sells the Sorento as a 2026 model. There was never a 2026 Telluride. The first generation ended after 2025, and the redesigned second generation arrived in 2027. This matchup pairs the 2026 Sorento with the 2027 Telluride, using numbers straight from Kia's official specs. Kia Sorento vs. Telluride on Size and Seating Size separates these two right away. Anyone weighing the Kia Sorento vs. Telluride question should start with a tape measure. Kia's Sorento stretches 189.6 inches on a 110.8-inch wheelbase and seats six or seven, based on trim. Row three works best for kids and short trips. Telluride measures 199.2 inches on a 116.9-inch wheelbase and seats up to eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. Riders in row three get 32.1 inches of legroom, enough for actual adults. Cargo tells a similar story. With every seat up, the Sorento holds 12.6 cubic feet, and the gas-powered Telluride holds 22.3 cubic feet. Fold the third row, and the Sorento gives you 38.5 to 45.0 cubic feet, against 48.7 in the Telluride. Drop all the rear seats, and the totals reach 75.5 and 89.3 cubic feet. Power and Fuel Economy Tradeoffs Engines split along trim lines. The Sorento LX and S trims carry a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. EX and higher trims get a 281-horsepower turbo with 311 lb-ft of torque. Every gas Telluride runs a 274-horsepower version of that turbo with the same 311 lb-ft and an 8-speed automatic. Lighter weight pays off at the pump. A base Sorento earns EPA estimates of 23 city and 31 highway mpg with front-wheel drive. Gas Telluride models check in at 20 city and 26 highway with FWD. Kia rates the Sorento Hybrid EX FWD at 37 mpg combined, good for 655 miles of range. The new Telluride Turbo Hybrid makes 329 horsepower and earns 35 mpg combined on the EX FWD trim. Both are EPA estimates. Towing favors the bigger SUV. A properly equipped gas Telluride pulls up to 5,000 pounds. Sorento ratings run from 2,000 pounds with the base engine to 4,500 on the X-Pro SX Prestige. 2026 Sorento and 2027 Telluride Trim Comparison Trim Engine and Horsepower Drivetrain Starting MSRP 2026 Kia Sorento (gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid) LX 2.5L 4-cylinder, 191 hp FWD $32,390 S 2.5L 4-cylinder, 191 hp FWD or AWD $35,290 EX 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp FWD or AWD $38,490 SX 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp FWD $42,290 X-Line EX 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp AWD $42,790 X-Line SX 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp AWD $44,090 X-Line SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp AWD $46,790 X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 281 hp AWD $47,790 Hybrid EX Turbo Hybrid, 227 hp combined FWD or AWD From $38,890 Plug-In Hybrid EX Turbo Plug-In Hybrid, 261 hp combined AWD From $48,290 2027 Kia Telluride (gas and turbo hybrid) LX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp FWD $39,190 S 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp FWD or AWD $42,090 FWD / $44,090 AWD EX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp FWD or AWD $43,790 FWD / $45,790 AWD X-Line EX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $47,290 SX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp FWD $48,790 X-Line SX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $51,790 X-Pro SX 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $53,690 SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $53,890 X-Line SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $54,890 X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo, 274 hp AWD $56,790 Turbo Hybrid EX 2.5L Turbo Hybrid, 329 hp combined FWD $46,490 Turbo Hybrid X-Line SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo Hybrid, 329 hp combined AWD $57,590 MSRPs exclude destination, taxes, and fees. Telluride Turbo Hybrid pricing covers select trims for now; ask your dealer about the rest. Where Each One Wins Price gaps stay steady up the ladder. A Sorento EX with the turbo engine costs $38,490, about $5,300 less than a Telluride EX with front-wheel drive. Up top, a loaded X-Pro SX Prestige Sorento runs $47,790, compared to $56,790 for the same Telluride trim. That difference covers a lot of gas, soccer cleats, and summer camp fees. Fresh off a full redesign, the 2027 Telluride debuts dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays and an AI voice assistant. Buyers can add a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, and ten airbags come standard, including a new front-center bag. Over in the Sorento, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on a 12.3-inch touchscreen, plus available Highway Driving Assist. It also earned a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award on models built after September 2025. Picking the Right Fit for Your Driveway Go with the Sorento when the third row sees part-time duty, and your budget does the talking. It parks easier, sips less fuel, and its available 281-horsepower turbo actually out-muscles the bigger SUV. Pick the Telluride when you haul teenagers, grandparents, or a full carpool every week and need real cargo room behind row three. Test both back to back, and the answer usually shows up fast. Why Buy Your Next Three-Row SUV From Kia of Muncie Deciding between these two gets easier when you can walk from one to the other on the same lot. We keep both the Sorento and the Telluride in stock at Kia of Muncie. You can climb into each third row, fold the seats flat, and take back-to-back test drives in one visit. Our team skips the pressure and the gimmicks. We'd rather answer questions honestly and let the vehicles speak for themselves. Our finance team works with multiple lenders to match your budget, and you can start a pre-approval online before you stop by. Come see us and find out which three-row Kia your family votes for.
2026 Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot
Family SUV Showdown: Two Giants Battle for Your Driveway Shopping for a three-row SUV that can haul the whole crew without breaking the bank? Two redesigned family haulers are fighting for a spot in your garage, and each brings something different to the table. Kia's 2026 Telluride gets a complete makeover with a new turbo engine, starting around $39,190. Honda's 2026 Pilot sticks with its proven V6 formula but adds more tech, starting at $42,195. Each model seats up to eight passengers with serious towing capability for family adventures. What's New for 2026 These family haulers are taking different paths for 2026. Kia went all-out with a complete redesign of the Telluride, while Honda gave the Pilot a thoughtful refresh. Kia's most significant change sits under the hood. Engineers ditched the old 3.8-liter V6 for a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. That's 68 pound-feet more torque than the outgoing V6, translating to better acceleration and improved towing capacity. Honda took a more conservative approach. Their trusty 3.5-liter V6 returns with 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, but Honda added a much larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Design and Interior Space Walk up to these SUVs, and you'll notice their different personalities. Kia's new Telluride adopts sharper, more angular styling with vertical LED headlights and flush-mounted door handles. Honda's refreshed Pilot keeps more traditional proportions but gets a bolder front fascia with a larger grille. Each SUV seats up to eight passengers but takes a different approach to interior design. Kia's cabin features a panoramic curved dual-screen display that combines the instrument cluster and infotainment system. Honda's interior gets a new 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built in and wireless smartphone connectivity. Performance and Capability Looking at powertrains, the Kia Telluride vs Honda Pilot matchup shows two different philosophies. Kia's new turbo engine makes less peak horsepower than Honda's V6 (274 vs. 285), but it puts out more torque at lower revs. That means better acceleration from a stop and more confident passing power. Honda's V6 has a proven track record but requires more revs to access its power. Either SUV can handle up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped - enough for most family trailers. Technology and Safety Each manufacturer loaded their 2026 models with tech. Kia's dual-screen setup looks more futuristic and includes over-the-air updates plus Digital Key 2.0 smartphone functionality. Honda's approach feels more traditional with physical buttons for climate control alongside the new touchscreen. Safety tech is extensive on either model. Honda Sensing and Kia's Driving Assist suite both include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control as standard features. Pricing and Off-Road Options Kia holds a price advantage, starting around $39,190 versus Honda's $42,195 entry point. Each SUV offers rugged variants - Honda's Pilot TrailSport and Kia's new X-Pro - for families who venture off-road. Neither SUV wins any fuel economy awards, but each returns reasonable efficiency for its size. Honda achieves 19/27/22 mpg city/highway/combined with front-wheel drive. Kia hasn't released EPA ratings yet, but a Telluride Hybrid is scheduled to arrive later in 2026. Comparison Chart Feature 2026 Kia Telluride 2026 Honda Pilot Starting Price $39,190 $42,195 Engine 2.5L Turbo 4-cyl 3.5L V6 Horsepower 274 hp 285 hp Torque 311 lb-ft 262 lb-ft Seating Up to 8 Up to 8 Warranty 10yr/100k mi powertrain 5yr/60k mi powertrain Which SUV Fits Your Family? These SUVs bring different strengths to family duty. Kia's Telluride appeals to buyers who want the latest tech, modern styling, and a lower starting price. Its new turbo engine delivers better low-end torque for daily driving, along with longer warranty coverage. Honda's Pilot makes sense for families who value proven reliability and prefer a traditional approach. A proven V6 engine, excellent safety ratings, and strong resale values make it a smart long-term choice. Consider the Telluride if you want more modern tech and value extensive warranty coverage. Honda's Pilot makes more sense if you prioritize proven reliability and don't mind paying extra for the brand reputation. Test Drive the Telluride at Kia of Muncie Ready to see how the 2026 Kia Telluride stacks up in person? We make it easy to compare trim levels, explore financing options, and take a thorough test drive that shows off the new turbo engine and redesigned interior. Our family-owned dealership has been serving Central Indiana drivers for over 100 years, and we'll help you find the perfect SUV for your family's needs without any pressure tactics. Whether you're interested in the base LX or the rugged X-Pro variant, we'll walk you through the features that matter most.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.