2027 Kia Telluride vs. 2026 Honda Pilot: Two Renewed Family Allies

• The Kia Telluride will arrive with a completely new generation in early 2026.

• The restyled Honda Pilot will arrive at the same time in Canadian dealerships.

• The new Telluride offers a turbo 4-cylinder and a hybrid system, while the Pilot retains its V6 engine.

The three-row crossover segment is one of the most popular in North America, especially with young families.

Two prominent models in this category are the Kia Telluride and the Honda Pilot, both of which are receiving significant changes for the upcoming model year.

2027 Telluride Targets Families with More Space, Hybrid Efficiency, and Off-Road Confidence

Indeed, the Kia Telluride is introducing a completely new generation while the Honda Pilot is receiving mostly visual updates.

Although considered a 2027 model, the new Kia Telluride will be available in the first quarter of 2026, which is the same period when the 2026 Honda Pilot is expected to appear in dealerships.

Since we have not yet driven these two models, here is how they compare on paper in terms of styling, powertrains, interior space, capacities, and trim levels.

Exterior Appearance

The 2027 Kia Telluride features a new, more angular design which, according to the manufacturer, is inspired by the Rocky Mountains in the Colorado region. This translates into a squared-off look that is reminiscent of the Range Rover, especially at the rear, thanks in large part to the vertical taillights. The same theme is repeated at the front, where the brand’s characteristic orange daytime running lights are presented in the form of two parallel straight lines. The grille has also been widened, and the X-Line and X-Pro models feature an almost entirely black front fascia. In profile, a recess at the bottom of the doors visually reduces the body height, and notches at the top of the rounded wheel arches make the style more distinctive. Retractable door handles help reduce the drag coefficient, which decreases from 0.33 to 0.30. The new Telluride is also 2.3 inches (58.4 mm) longer than its predecessor.

For its part, the Honda Pilot receives a slight aesthetic update aimed at keeping the design of the current generation, which was launched in 2023, up-to-date. This means a new front fascia that adopts a larger grille and new skid plates under the bumpers, particularly on the TrailSport version. New alloy wheels are included for all versions, and two new paint colours are available, including Ash Green, exclusive to the TrailSport.

Powertrain: Horsepower and Torque

Let’s start again with the Kia Telluride, which completely turns its back on its predecessor in terms of mechanical elements. Indeed, in place of the old 3.8L V6 is now a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder borrowed from the Sorento. In the Telluride, this engine generates 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, which is 17 horsepower less, but 49 lb-ft more than the V6 it replaces. As before, it is exclusively paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. In the United States, all-wheel drive is optional, but the Canadian market should get it standard, considering this was the case with the 2025 model. The X-Pro version also benefits from an electronic limited-slip differential that can vary torque from front to back and left to right to improve off-road capability. It is interesting to note that Kia did not follow in Hyundai’s footsteps since the 2026 Palisade features a new V6 engine as standard.

Honda Pilots Updated for 2026 with Tech Upgrades and Sharper Looks

The big news for the 2027 Telluride is the arrival of a hybrid version in the lineup. This uses a version of the same 2.5L turbo engine coupled with two electric motors and a 1.65 kWh lithium-ion battery, as well as a six-speed automatic transmission. This system generates a combined output of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, which is 38 horsepower and 77 lb-ft more than the 2025 Telluride. According to Kia, this powertrain should achieve an estimated combined fuel consumption of 6.7 L/100 km and allow for a range of 966 kilometers per tank. The hybrid Telluride comes standard with electronic torque vectoring, which uses the brakes and electric motors to improve handling in curves.

All 2027 Kia Tellurides also benefit from a new power steering system aimed at improving precision and feedback through the steering wheel.

At Honda, the 2026 Pilot does not receive major mechanical changes compared to the 2025 version, apart from tightened steering. Here too, the goal is to improve the precision and feel of this system, in addition to promoting better stability at high speeds.

This means that the 2026 Pilot continues to be powered by a 3.5L V6 developing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission and i-VTM4 all-wheel drive with variable torque management. The 2025 model’s fuel consumption is estimated at 11.0 L/100 km by Natural Resources Canada, and since the powertrain remains unchanged in 2026, this data should still be applicable.

Powertrain: Towing Capacity

Mid-size and full-size SUVs are often chosen for their towing capacity, which Kia and Honda obviously know.

Thus, the 2027 Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilos) in the gasoline version and 4,500 pounds (2,041 kilos) in the hybrid version. While most versions of the old Telluride could also tow 5,000 lb, let’s not forget that the X-Pro model displayed a capacity of 5,500 pounds (2,495 kilos).

In the case of the 2026 Honda Pilot, the maximum trailer weight is 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilos) across the range, the same as before.

Interior: Style and Technology

The interior of the 2027 Kia Telluride incorporates several elements that we have already seen in the brand’s latest models, such as the K4 and EV9. This means a very modern and horizontal style, with the two 12.3-inch screens integrated into a single panel installed on the top of the dashboard. Like in the new Hyundai Palisade, the Telluride offers illuminated wood appliqués on the dashboard and door panels, but the design of its center console is unique to Kia. Two wireless chargers are included as standard, and the 2027 Telluride offers new upholstery colours. A two-panel glass roof is available. The second row has power-adjustable captain’s chairs on certain versions, which are also heated and ventilated, while the third row can also be heated on some models.

The big news inside of the 2026 Honda Pilot is the arrival of a new standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen, which is 37% larger than before. This system also adds integrated Google services and wireless connections to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were previously optional. The TrailSport model also receives the panoramic cameras, already offered on the Touring and Black Edition. The instrument cluster screen is also enlarged by 43%, now reaching 10.2 inches. As with the Telluride, an effort was made to make the Pilot’s cabin quieter, notably thanks to new door seals. New upholstery with suede inserts and stitching is included with the Touring and Black Edition.

Interior: Passenger Space

As the new Kia Telluride is longer and has a greater wheelbase than its predecessor, passenger space is enhanced, but not in all directions. Indeed, front headroom is increased by 12.7 mm (0.5 in), but only by 2.5 mm (0.1 in) in the middle row and decreases by 10.2 mm (0.4 in) in the third row. Legroom remains the same for front passengers but increases by 15.2 mm (0.6 in) in gasoline models, while it decreases by 25 mm (1 in) in hybrid models. The third row receives 17.8 mm (0.7 in) of additional legroom. Shoulder room remains essentially the same in all positions.

The 2026 Honda Pilot maintains the same interior dimensions as last year’s model, meaning it offers more headroom than the Telluride in the 2nd and 3rd rows, but less in the front. Likewise, the Pilot has more legroom in the third row, but not in the front and middle, but it offers more shoulder room for all occupants.

Interior: Cargo Space

The extra length of the 2027 Kia Telluride also benefits cargo space. Indeed, the SUV now offers 36.8 liters more with all seats in place than the 2025 gasoline version and 8.5 liters more in the hybrid version. The 2027 Telluride also offers an additional 76.5 liters behind the second row (48 liters for the hybrid) and 65 liters with all seats folded (37 liters in the hybrid). Cargo space also benefits from a new folding table with cup holders and an underfloor compartment.

The 2026 Honda Pilot maintains the same interior dimensions as the 2025 version, and it features an adjustable and removable load floor in addition to integrated storage compartments. Although it has not grown, it still manages to outshine the Telluride in terms of cargo space, particularly when all the seats are folded down.

Trim Levels

Since it is all new, full details on the 2027 Kia Telluride are not yet available for the Canadian market. In the United States, 9 versions will be offered for the gasoline model and 5 for the hybrid. Unique to the gasoline model, the X-Pro will come with a more robust look and a raised suspension. An X-Line model should take up most of its aesthetic elements, without the increased capabilities.

For its part, Honda Canada has confirmed that the 2026 Pilot will offer the same five versions as the 2025 model, namely: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Black Edition. The TrailSport is the more adventurous version of the Pilot, equipped with more aggressive tires and more robust aesthetic elements, but unlike Kia’s X-Pro, it is not the most expensive model in the lineup.

For the moment, Canadian prices for the 2027 Kia Telluride and 2026 Honda Pilot are not known. These should be announced towards the end of this year or the beginning of next year, just before the arrival of these models.

Conclusion

It is difficult to determine a clear winner by comparing the specifications on paper. Indeed, if the new Kia Telluride offers a more modern and higher-performing powertrain than the Honda Pilot, in addition to a new, much more economical hybrid version, the two vehicles are on an equal footing when it comes to towing, and the Pilot continues to attract buyers who appreciate the smoothness and sound of a six-cylinder engine.

Inside, the Telluride is once again much more modern and considerably more luxurious in its high-end versions, but the Pilot benefits from more passenger and cargo space, which is not negligible for families.

Thus, we will have to wait until we have driven both SUVs and know their price scale before being able to make a definitive choice. This is further proof of the competitiveness of this market segment, where all manufacturers are making their best efforts to win over buyers.