The midsize SUV market is competitive, and it just keeps getting bigger, with more manufacturers adding their version of the family crossover SUV. The Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot are two of the top SUVs in this segment, offering three rows of seats, a spacious cabin, and many standard and available features. Read as our Tom Kadlec Kia team in Rochester, Minnesota, compares the 2024 Kia Telluride and the 2024 Honda Pilot and their key features.
Power
A 3.8-liter V-6 gas engine with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque powers the 2024 Kia Telluride. It works with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available for every trim except the SX Prestige, where it comes standard.
The Honda Pilot gets power from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 285 horsepower. It gets 262 lb-ft of torque like the Telluride. A 10-speed automatic transmission works with the V-6, and the Pilot comes standard with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available for every trim except the TrailSport and Elite, where it comes standard.
Exterior Features
The base Telluride LX rides on 18-inch wheels. It has LED headlights and comes with keyless entry. The S adds 20-inch wheels, an optional sunroof, and roof rails, while the EX gets you power-folding side exterior mirrors and a hands-free liftgate. You’ll get two sunroofs with the SX, but stepping up to the X-Line or X-Pro adds a lifted suspension for extra ground clearance, higher roof rails, and a unique grille design.
The Honda Pilot LX also starts with 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. Next in the lineup is the Sport, which has 20-inch wheels and adds LED fog lights. Moving up to the TrailSport adds some off-road extras, such as increased ground clearance, a tow hook, and underbody skid plates, and it also comes with a panoramic sunroof, a Class III trailer hitch, and a heated windshield. The top two trims have a hands-free power liftgate and a panoramic sunroof.
Technology Features
You can’t miss the 12.3-inch touch screen in the Telluride’s center. It has an integrated navigation system and works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The S trim and above all have a wireless phone charger, while the SX and above have a 10-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. You can get a 110-volt household-style power outlet if you want more technological features.
The Pilot starts with a 7-inch touch screen in its base trim, which is significantly smaller than the one in the Telluride. It still works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Pilot has a seven-speaker stereo system. You’ll get a larger 9-inch touch screen in the EX-L. It comes with a wireless version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This trim also has a wireless phone charger and a nine-speaker stereo system. For even better stereo sound, step up to the Touring. It has a 12-speaker stereo and adds navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Cabin Features
You can’t beat the comfort and space in the Kia Telluride. It’s the best third-row-seating SUV on the market, with plenty of space for passengers in all three rows. Synthetic leather upholstery comes in the LX, along with dual-zone automatic climate control. You’ll get heated front seats in the Telluride just by stepping up from the base to the S, and this trim and above also add a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
This SUV makes it easy to get comfortable with the available ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, and power-adjustable front passenger seat. The SX Prestige upgrades to premium leather and adds a heated steering wheel.
The Honda Pilot feels almost as upscale as the Telluride. It also has three rows of seats and room for up to eight people. Tri-zone automatic climate control is a standard feature, along with remote start. You’ll get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and power-adjustable, heated front seats in the Sport. Another bump up to the EX-L gets you driver’s seat memory settings, leather-trimmed upholstery, and retractable sunshades for the second row.
The Elite is the top-level Pilot. It has some comfort features you won’t get in the lower trims, including ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard second-row seats.
Safety Technology
No matter your Telluride model, it’ll come with the latest safety technology. Stay confident behind the wheel with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The SX adds a blind-spot monitor that displays a live view of your blind spot in the instrument cluster and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.
It also comes with Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 system. This feature uses an enhanced version of adaptive cruise control to change lanes when you activate the turn signal. An upgraded forward collision mitigation system can detect oncoming and cross traffic and use evasive steering to avoid a collision.
The Honda Pilot also comes with a full suite of advanced driver aids. The Honda Sensing bundle includes forward collision warning, automatic braking, lane-keep assist, driver attention warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sport has a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, and you’ll get front and rear parking sensors on the higher trims. Bumping up again to the Elite adds a 360-degree surround-view camera system and head-up display.
Are You Ready To See Why the Kia Telluride Is the Top Choice?
When you compare the features and equipment of the 2024 Kia Telluride and the Honda Pilot, it’s clear why the Telluride sits at the top of the list of midsize SUVs. It has a fully equipped cabin with all the comfort and convenience you’ll need and the tech features you want to stay connected and entertained. You can find out more about the Kia Telluride and take one out for a test drive when you visit Tom Kadlec Kia. Stop by today.
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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.