Your family deserves the best when it comes to your household SUV, and one that truly serves the driver and passenger, from road trips to small commutes and errand-running. The 2021 Kia Telluride and 2021 Honda Pilot are both exceptional large SUVs, filled with a bunch of features to satisfy parents and kids. Read on and see how this Kia and Honda SUV compare, across exterior & interior design, performance, safety, tech and more. 401 Dixie Kia has put these two segment favourites against each other, the 2021 Telluride and 2021 Pilot, to see which one comes out on top!
Explore more Telluride comparisons: vs. Nissan Pathfinder, vs. Toyota Highlander
Exterior Design & Features
Kia Telluride Exterior
Boldness is the name of the game with the Kia Telluride. Beautifully housing this 8-seat SUV is a durable frame and classically structured SUV that blends the SUV size of yesteryear with modern curved and smoothed design elements. The all-new Nightsky Edition ups the ante in the boldness department with exclusive badging and black-finish 20-inch alloy wheels.
Honda Pilot Exterior
The Honda Pilot presents its own extra bold option in the form of their Black Edition. This trim also has 20-inch black wheels, as well as exclusive black materials and touches to help set it apart. Presenting more of a curved, almost van-like style, the Pilot lacks the bold classic SUV style that the Telluride has.
| Specifications: | 2021 Kia Telluride EX | 2021 Honda Pilot LX |
|---|---|---|
| Length (mm/in) | 5,000 / 196.9 | 4,991 / 196.5 |
| Width (mm/in) | 1,990 / 78.3 | 2,029 / 79.9 |
| Height (mm/in) | 1,759 / 69.3 | 1,794 / 70.6 |
| Wheelbase (mm/in) | 2,900 / 114.2 | 2,820 / 111.0 |
| Ground Clearance (mm/in) | 203 / 8.0 | 185 / 7.3 |
Interior Design & Features
Kia Telluride Interior
Sit in comfort and style thanks to the Premium Nappa leather the Telluride seats are made of, plus their heated and air-cooled functionality that you can adapt to the current Mississauga season you’re driving in. Tech includes such features like a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless charging, 6 USB ports and quiet mode that mutes the second and third row speakers.
Honda Pilot Interior
While the driver and passenger room is pretty even across the two vehicles, the Pilot does enjoy more cargo capacity than the Telluride does. Its front tech suffers, with a 8-inch Display Audio system that’s over 2 inches smaller than the Telluride version, while it does include wireless charging. Offered in the rear for its own passenger-related features is an available Rear Entertainment system and in-car CabinTalk PA system.
| Specifications: | 2021 Kia Telluride EX | 2021 Honda Pilot LX |
|---|---|---|
| Head Room (front) (mm/in) | 1,004 / 39.5 | 1,019 / 40.1 |
| Head Room (middle) (mm/in) | 1,022 / 40.2 | 1,020 / 40.2 |
| Head Room (rear) (mm/in) | 969 / 38.1 | 989 / 38.9 |
| Shoulder Room (front) (mm/in) | 1,564 / 61.5 | 1,576 / 62.0 |
| Shoulder Room (middle) | 1,554 / 61.2 | 1,576 / 62.0 |
| Shoulder Room (rear) (mm/in) | 1,404 / 55.2 | 1,463 / 57.6 |
| Hip Room (front) (mm/in) | 1,497 / 58.9 | 1,501 / 59.1 |
| Hip Room (middle) (mm/in) | 1,472 / 57.9 | 1,456 / 57.3 |
| Hip Room (rear) (mm/in) | 1,111 / 43.7 | 1,132 / 44.6 |
| Leg Room (front) (mm/in) | 1,120 / 44.0 | 1,040 / 40.9 |
| Leg Room (middle) (mm/in) | 1,077 / 42.4 | 976 / 38.4 |
| Leg Room (rear) (mm/in) | 798 / 31.4 | 810 / 31.9 |
| Cargo Capacity (behind 1st row) (L/cu-ft) | 2,455 / 86.7 | 3,087 / 121.5 |
| Cargo Capacity (behind 2nd row) (L/cu-ft) | 1,304 / 46.0 | 1,583 / 62.3 |
| Cargo Capacity (behind 3rd row) (L/cu-ft) | 601 / 21.2 | 524 / 20.6 |
Performance & Capability
Kia Telluride Performance
The same engine across every trim of the Telluride, while torque ends up at the same level between both vehicles, the Kia enjoys a nice boost in horsepower over the Telluride. All-Wheel Drive comes standard, so tackling any snow or mud covered road across Ontario will be a breeze. Need to tow for the weekend, take advantage of the 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) of towing capacity on the Telluride.
Honda Pilot Performance
The Pilot just falls behind in engine power from the Telluride, and offers the same engine across its six trims. It can venture out into the unknown with its own i-VTM4 AWD system, adapting to any traction needed. The towing capacity is standard at 1,588 kg (3,500), but can muster to match the Telluride with an accessory tow package equipped to get up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs).
| Specifications: | 2021 Kia Telluride EX | 2021 Honda Pilot LX |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8L V6 GDI | 3.5L, 24-valve, Direct Injection, SOHC, i-VTEC V6 |
| Horsepower | 291 | 280 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 262 | 262 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic (with Grade Logic Control) |
| Fuel Economy (city/highway) (L/100 km) | 12.6 / 9.7 | 12.4 / 9.3 |
Safety
Kia Telluride Safety
A big SUV like the Telluride demands a wide selection of safety features that not only make your drive easier, but better protect those around you. Highlighted features that show the breadth of Kia safety include Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind View Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist and a Safe Exit Assist.
Honda Pilot Safety
The Honda Sensing suite is what Honda builds the intelligent safety features of their vehicle around. Included in this highlighted system is Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and more. Like the Telluride and modern vehicles, the intelligent safety tech has become a prime focus of the Pilot.
Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot Verdict
The 2021 Kia Telluride and 2021 Honda Pilot are two pretty fairly matched large SUVs. The Telluride is a bit more powerful, the Pilot has some more cargo space, the Telluride has some more refined tech features and they’re just about even when it comes to safety systems. The biggest difference lies in the style, where the Telluride offers a more classically framed SUV, while the Pilot looks more like a minivan in its design curves and shape. If you’re looking for a bold SUV option that’s as powerful as its look suggests, the 2021 Telluride is for you, while the 2021 Pilot’s appearance looks too much like a large crossover mixed with a van, which may not appeal to most.
Drive your family in comprehensive style and ability in the 2021 Telluride, found here at 401 Dixie Kia. We’re easily accessible for our hometown Mississauga customers, as well as the Greater Toronto Area at large. Shop new and used, research, take a test drive and so much more at our Kia dealership!
Your researching doesn’t have to stop here, explore more model comparisons here:
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