2026 Honda Pilot vs 2027 Kia Telluride: Which 3-Row SUV Fits Your NYC Family?
Published October 5, 2026 · Last updated October 5, 2026
The Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride matchup pits two of the most popular three-row family SUVs in New York City against each other. The 2027 Kia Telluride is all-new, with a turbocharged engine, a first-ever hybrid rated up to 35 mpg combined and a lower starting price. The 2026 Honda Pilot answers with a refreshed cabin, a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen, a proven 285-hp V6, 5,000 pounds of towing and eight seats on most trims. The short answer: Telluride for value and efficiency, Pilot for V6 power and flexible seating.
Pilot or Telluride: The Short Answer
- Choose the 2027 Kia Telluride if you want the newest design, a lower $39,190 starting price, a hybrid rated up to 35 mpg combined, available dual 12.3-inch screens and Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
- Choose the 2026 Honda Pilot if you want a naturally aspirated 285-hp V6, 5,000 pounds of towing, eight seats with a removable second-row middle seat and a freshly updated cabin with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Google built-in.
- Bottom line for NYC: commuters who sit in traffic save the most with the Telluride Hybrid; families who tow or want maximum seating flexibility get more from the Pilot.
Model-year timing: The 2027 Kia Telluride is the all-new second generation, with gas models and a first-ever Telluride Hybrid announced in early 2026. The 2026 Honda Pilot is the current model, refreshed for 2026 with a new grille, larger screens and a quieter cabin.
Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride Specs at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Honda Pilot | 2027 Kia Telluride | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $42,195 (Sport FWD). Destination $1,495 | $39,190 (LX FWD). Destination $1,545 | Telluride |
| Gas engine | 3.5L V6, 285 hp, 262 lb-ft; 10-speed automatic | 2.5L turbo four, 274 hp, 311 lb-ft | Pilot (hp) / Telluride (torque) |
| Hybrid | Not offered | 2.5L turbo hybrid, 329 hp, 339 lb-ft; from $46,490 | Telluride |
| EPA mpg (combined) | 21 (20 TrailSport) | Up to 35 (Hybrid EX FWD) | Telluride (hybrid) |
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD (+$2,100); AWD standard on Touring, TrailSport, Elite, Black Edition | FWD or AWD; AWD standard on X-Line and X-Pro | Tie |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 4,500 lb (Hybrid) | Pilot |
| Seating | 8 (7 on TrailSport); removable 2nd-row middle seat | Up to 8; 7 with captain's chairs | Pilot (flexibility) |
| Screens | 12.3-inch touchscreen; 10.2-inch driver display | 12.3-inch touchscreen; dual 12.3-inch panel available | Tie |
| Off-road trim | TrailSport, 8.3-in ground clearance | X-Pro, 9.1-in ground clearance | Telluride |
| Length / turning circle | 199.9 in / about 37.7 ft | All-new, 2.7-in longer wheelbase than before | — |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | 5 yr/60,000 mi basic; 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain | Telluride |
Price and Value
The 2027 Kia Telluride starts lower. The Telluride LX with front-wheel drive begins at $39,190, $3,005 below the 2026 Honda Pilot Sport at $42,195. Kia's destination charge is $1,545 versus $1,495 for Honda. At the top of the range, the Pilot Black Edition at $54,995 undercuts the Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige at $56,790.
2026 Honda Pilot trims
Sport $42,195 ($44,295 AWD), EX-L $44,495 ($46,595 AWD), TrailSport $50,395, Touring $51,095, Elite $53,495 and Black Edition $54,995, plus a $1,495 destination charge. Browse the Plaza Honda new Pilot inventory.
2027 Kia Telluride trims
Gas: LX $39,190, S $42,090 ($44,090 AWD), EX $43,790 ($45,790 AWD), X-Line EX $47,290, SX $48,790, X-Line SX $51,790, X-Pro SX $53,690, SX-Prestige $53,890, X-Line SX-Prestige $54,890 and X-Pro SX-Prestige $56,790. Hybrid: EX $46,490 ($48,490 AWD), SX $51,490, X-Line SX $54,490, SX-Prestige $56,590 and X-Line SX-Prestige $57,590. Destination is $1,545. Browse the Plaza Kia new Telluride inventory.
Lease specials are updated every month, so check the current Honda lease specials (updated monthly) and Honda manufacturer incentives and rebates, plus the current Kia lease specials (updated monthly) and Kia manufacturer incentives and rebates. Trading in? Get a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer on your current car before you visit.
Performance, Towing and Fuel Economy
The two take different approaches. Every 2026 Honda Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 285 hp and 262 lb-ft and a 10-speed automatic, rated about 21 mpg combined. The 2027 Kia Telluride switches to a turbocharged 2.5-liter four with 274 hp and 311 lb-ft, nearly 50 lb-ft more torque than the outgoing V6, which you feel when merging onto the BQE or Cross Island Parkway.
The Telluride Hybrid is the efficiency pick. It combines the 2.5-liter turbo with electric motors for 329 hp and 339 lb-ft, and the EX FWD is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined, with an estimated 637-mile driving range. In stop-and-go city traffic, that is a meaningful saving over any V6.
For towing, the Pilot is rated at 5,000 pounds, and the Telluride Hybrid at 4,500 pounds with available self-leveling rear suspension.
Space and Seating
Both seat up to eight. The Honda Pilot seats eight on most trims (seven on the TrailSport), and its second-row middle seat can be removed and stored under the cargo floor, turning the bench into captain's chairs with a walkway to the third row. The all-new Telluride rides on a wheelbase 2.7 inches longer than before, with improved third-row access and more cargo space, and is offered with seven or eight seats.
The Pilot is 199.9 inches long with a turning circle of about 37.7 feet, reasonable for a three-row SUV on Brooklyn streets. Need even more room for adults in the third row? See our Kia Carnival vs Honda Odyssey minivan comparison.
Interior, Tech and Comfort
Both cabins are big steps up. For 2026, the Honda Pilot adds a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch driver display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google built-in apps and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, plus a quieter cabin and standard power tailgate. The 2027 Telluride offers a 12.3-inch touchscreen on every trim and an available dual 12.3-inch panel across the dash, along with 19 advanced driver assistance systems.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
Kia offers the longer warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain for the original owner, versus 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles for Honda. The Pilot has a long record of strong resale value, while the Telluride Hybrid's fuel savings add up over years of city driving.
Which One Should You Buy?
Fuel-conscious family
The Telluride Hybrid's 35-mpg combined rating is the standout in this class for stop-and-go NYC driving.
Towing and road trips
A 285-hp V6 and 5,000 pounds of towing make the Pilot the pick for campers and boats.
Big family, flexible seating
Eight seats with a removable second-row middle seat adapt to car seats, teens and cargo.
Budget and warranty
A lower $39,190 starting price and a 10-year powertrain warranty add up to strong value.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Telluride | $39,190 vs $42,195 |
| Fuel economy | Telluride | Hybrid up to 35 vs 21 mpg combined |
| Towing | Pilot | 5,000 vs 4,500 lb (Hybrid) |
| Seating flexibility | Pilot | Removable 2nd-row middle seat |
| Warranty | Telluride | 10-yr/100,000-mi powertrain |
| Overall for NYC families | Split | Telluride for value and mpg; Pilot for V6 power and flexibility |
Still deciding? The Telluride's Hyundai cousin goes up against a minivan in our Hyundai Palisade vs Honda Odyssey comparison. If you only need a third row now and then, see the smaller Kia Sorento vs Hyundai Santa Fe, or compare minivans in Kia Carnival vs Honda Odyssey.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Auto Mall delivers your new or pre-owned vehicle to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five NYC boroughs and much of Nassau County. Farther away? Delivery is available on request.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryHonda Pilot vs Kia Telluride: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honda Pilot or Kia Telluride better for a New York City family?
It depends on your priorities. The 2027 Kia Telluride is all-new, starts lower and offers a hybrid rated up to 35 mpg combined. The 2026 Honda Pilot keeps a proven 285-hp V6, tows 5,000 pounds and seats eight on most trims, with a removable second-row middle seat that adds flexibility for growing families.
Which is cheaper, the Pilot or the Telluride?
The Kia Telluride. The 2027 Telluride LX starts at $39,190 MSRP with front-wheel drive, while the 2026 Honda Pilot Sport starts at $42,195. Destination is $1,545 for the Kia and $1,495 for the Honda. At the top of the range, the Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige costs $56,790 and the Pilot Black Edition $54,995.
Does the Telluride or Pilot come as a hybrid?
Only the Telluride. The 2027 Kia Telluride HEV pairs a 2.5-liter turbo with electric motors for 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, and the EX FWD is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined. Every 2026 Honda Pilot uses a 285-hp 3.5-liter V6 rated about 21 mpg combined.
Which tows more, the Pilot or the Telluride?
The Honda Pilot is rated to tow 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid is rated for 4,500 pounds, with available self-leveling rear suspension. Check the specific trim before you hitch a camper or boat, since towing ratings vary by configuration.
What changed on the 2026 Honda Pilot?
For 2026, the Pilot gets a new grille, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch driver display, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Google built-in and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot. Honda also improved cabin quietness and steering feel and made roof rails and a power tailgate standard.
What is new about the 2027 Kia Telluride?
Everything. The second-generation Telluride has new styling, a wheelbase 2.7 inches longer, a turbocharged engine with nearly 50 lb-ft more torque than before and, for the first time, a hybrid. Dual 12.3-inch screens are available, and the off-road X-Pro offers 9.1 inches of ground clearance.
Test-Drive the Pilot and Telluride at Plaza Auto Mall
Plaza Honda (2740 Nostrand Ave) and Plaza Kia (2746 Nostrand Ave) are a short walk apart on Nostrand Avenue, so you can drive the 2026 Honda Pilot and 2027 Kia Telluride back to back and let the whole family try the third rows. Family-owned since 1975, Plaza Auto Mall serves drivers from Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan, with free delivery within 25 miles. See the full Plaza Honda inventory and Plaza Kia inventory, or call Plaza Honda at (855) 528-6785 or Plaza Kia at (855) 531-8744.
*MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on manufacturer information available as of October 5, 2026 and are subject to change. Towing varies by configuration. See dealer for details.
