Two Three-Row SUVs Family Shoppers Keep Comparing

Shopping for a three-row SUV in Muncie means running into two names over and over. Kia’s biggest SUV and Honda’s family staple both promise room for the whole crew. You get strong safety scores and enough cargo space for weekend hauls. Picking between them comes down to what your family actually needs day to day.

• Kia skipped the 2026 Telluride and jumped straight to a redesigned 2027 model with its first-ever hybrid option.
• Honda’s 2026 Pilot keeps a proven V6 and adds bigger standard screens plus a power tailgate on every trim.
• Both SUVs seat up to eight, tow up to 5,000 pounds, and start under $43,000 before options.

Sorting Out the 2026 Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot Search

If you’ve been searching for the 2026 Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot, here’s what’s going on. Kia skipped the 2026 model year for its largest SUV. It ended the first-generation run after 2025, then rolled out a redesigned second-generation Telluride badged as a 2027. Those new SUVs started landing in showrooms in early 2026. So when you line up the current Telluride against the 2026 Pilot, you’re really looking at Kia’s newest 2027 redesign. Those are the numbers we’ll use here.

What’s Under the Hood

The redesigned Telluride drops the old V6 for a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, making 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That’s a healthy jump in torque, which pays off when you’re loaded up with kids and gear. Kia also added a turbo-hybrid good for 329 combined horsepower. It can reach an EPA-estimated 34 mpg city and 36 highway on the front-drive EX. That’s the first hybrid ever offered on a Telluride.

Over at Honda, things stay familiar. The 2026 Pilot runs a 3.5-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft, paired to a 10-speed automatic. That V6 is proven and easy to live with, though it can’t match the Telluride hybrid at the pump. Front-drive Pilots land at 19 mpg city and 27 highway. Both SUVs offer all-wheel drive and can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Space for People and Gear

Families care about the third row and the trunk, and this is where small differences add up. Kia’s Telluride gives you 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 48.7 behind the second. A big grocery run or a folded stroller fits without dropping any seats. Its X-Pro trim bumps ground clearance to 9.1 inches for gravel roads and light trails.

Honda counters with flat-folding seats and a handy trick. Its Pilot TrailSport swallows up to 113.7 cubic feet with everything folded. A removable second-row center seat on higher trims makes loading long items simple. Behind the third row, you get 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space as standard. Both seat up to eight, though the Pilot TrailSport and select Telluride trims switch to captain’s chairs for seven.

Tech and Safety Standard Gear

For 2026, Honda loaded the Pilot with standard tech. Every Pilot now ships with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a power tailgate. Honda Sensing safety tools come standard across the lineup. That list covers automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping.

Kia answers with available dual 12.3-inch panoramic screens and wireless phone mirroring on every trim. You also get driver aids like Highway Driving Assist 2 and a surround-view camera. One area Kia clearly pulls ahead is its warranty. Kia’s Telluride comes with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty. Honda backs the Pilot with a 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 3-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty.

2027 Telluride and 2026 Pilot Side by Side

Category	2027 Kia Telluride	2026 Honda Pilot
Trim Ladder and Starting MSRP
Trims and MSRP (excludes destination)	LX FWD $39,190 S FWD $42,090 EX FWD $43,790 X-Line EX AWD $47,290 SX FWD $48,790 X-Line SX AWD $51,790 X-Pro SX AWD $53,690 SX Prestige AWD $53,890 X-Pro SX Prestige AWD $56,790 Hybrid EX FWD $46,490	Sport FWD $42,395 EX-L FWD $44,695 TrailSport AWD $50,595 Touring AWD $51,295 Touring Blackout AWD $52,495 Elite AWD $53,695 Black Edition AWD $55,195
Powertrain and Fuel Economy
Base Engine	2.5L Turbo I4	3.5L V6
Horsepower	274 hp	285 hp
Torque	311 lb-ft	262 lb-ft
Hybrid Option	Yes, 329 hp combined	No
Transmission	8-speed auto (turbo) 6-speed auto (hybrid)	10-speed auto
Fuel Economy (FWD, base)	20 city / 26 hwy / 22 combined	19 city / 27 hwy / 22 combined
Hybrid Fuel Economy (EX FWD)	34 city / 36 hwy / 35 combined	Not offered
Max Towing (properly equipped)	5,000 lbs (turbo)	5,000 lbs (AWD)
Space and Capability
Seating	Up to 8 (7 with captain’s chairs)	Up to 8 (7 on TrailSport)
Cargo Behind 3rd Row	22.3 cu ft	18.6 cu ft
Cargo Behind 2nd Row	48.7 cu ft	48.5 cu ft
Max Cargo (behind 1st row)	89.3 cu ft	Up to 113.7 cu ft (TrailSport)
Off-Road Ground Clearance	9.1 in (X-Pro)	8.3 in (TrailSport)
Tech and Warranty
Center Touchscreen	Available dual 12.3-in panoramic	12.3-in standard
Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto	Standard all trims	Standard all trims
Basic Warranty	5 yr / 60,000 mi	3 yr / 36,000 mi
Powertrain Warranty	10 yr / 100,000 mi	5 yr / 60,000 mi

Where Each SUV Pulls Ahead

Go with the Telluride if you want the newest design, the choice of a hybrid, and the longer warranty. It reads a little more upscale inside and opens up more room behind that third row. Pick the Pilot if you trust Honda’s V6 track record. Maybe you like the removable second-row seat, or want the TrailSport’s cargo room for road trips. Both are strong family haulers, so the smart move is to sit in each one and see which cabin fits your crew best.

Why Buy Your Next Telluride at Kia of Muncie

If the redesigned Telluride caught your eye, we’d love to help you see it in person. At Kia of Muncie, we let the vehicles speak for themselves. You can climb into the new Telluride, fold the seats, and check the third row with no pressure or hard-sell tactics. We’re a fourth-generation, family-owned store, and cross-shoppers are always welcome, even if you’re still weighing a Pilot against a Telluride. Our team can walk you through trims, hybrid vs. turbo, and financing options that fit your budget. Every Kia we sell also comes with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Our free lifetime service perks come on top of that. Stop by, take a test drive, and see which three-row SUV feels right for your family.

Tags: 2026 Honda Pilot specs, 2026 Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot, 2027 Kia Telluride hybrid, family SUV Muncie, Kia Telluride trims, three-row SUV comparison
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