2025 Honda Pilot Vs. 2025 Kia Telluride Vs. 2025 Hyundai Palisade
A Honda Pilot vs. Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade comparison pits three unique family-friendly models against one another. The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are excellent models for most families, boasting good specs, technology, and safety features. However, with its versatile cargo space of up to 113.7 cubic feet and impressive interior passenger space of 158.4 cubic feet, along with advanced features like tri-zone climate control, the Honda Pilot at Phil Hughes Honda is the pick for a growing family.
Summary
All three models are reasonable choices for the road, with the Telluride and Palisade offering slightly more responsive engines and unique comfort features, such as more screen space. However, the Pilot compensates with a significant increase in cargo space, additional third-row legroom, tri-zone climate control, and more.
Page Overview
- Price & Trim Levels: Kia Telluride wins. The Telluride begins at a lower MSRP and has 10 trim levels.
- Performance & Specs: Tie. All models share the same torque, base towing capacity, and combined MPG.
- Interior: Honda Pilot wins. Early access to leather and standard tri-zone climate control make the Honda Pilot more comfortable and elevated.
- Size & Cargo Space: Honda Pilot wins. If you value cargo volume and third-row legroom, the Honda SUV is your choice.
- Safety & Reliability: Tie. All three models share similar safety priorities, making them all closely matched in terms of safety.
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![]() Honda Pilot | ![]() Kia Telluride | ![]() Hyundai Palisade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V-6 | 3.8L V-6 | 3.8L 6-cyl |
| Base Horsepower | 285 | 291 | 291 |
| Base Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
| Drivetrain | 2WD, AWD avail | FWD, AWD avail | FWD, AWD avail |
| Standard FWD EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Cmb) | 19 / 27 / 221 | 20 / 26 / 222 | 19 / 26 / 223 |
| Fuel Tank Size | 18.5 gal | 18.8 gal | 18.8 gal |
| Length | 199.9 in | 196.9 in | 196.1 in |
| Width | 78.5 in | 78.3 in | 77.8 in |
| Height | 70.9 - 72 in | 68.9 - 70.5 in | 68.9 in |
| Seating Capacity | 7 - 8 | 7 - 8 | 7 - 8 |
| Base Curb Weight | 4,313 lbs | 4,134 lbs | 4,171 lbs |
| Cargo Space (Min - Max) | 21.8 - 113.7 cu ft | 21 - 87 cu ft | 18 - 86.4 cu ft |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs4 | 5,000-5,500 lbs5 | 5,000 lbs6 |
| Standard or Available Interior Highlights |
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| Standard or Available Exterior Highlights |
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| Standard or Available Technology Features |
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| Factory Limited Vehicle Warranty | 3-yr/36,000-mi7 | 5-yr/60,000-mi8 | 5-yr/60,000-mi7 |
| NHTSA Safety Score | 5/59 | 5/510 | Not yet rated |
| 2025 Honda Pilot | Used Kia Telluride | Used Hyundai Palisade |

Price & Trim Levels
All three models boast an engaging, welcoming base price, but the Kia Telluride has the lowest base price and the most trim levels. However, the Pilot offers more elevated standard features on its entry-level edition.
- Honda Pilot: The Pilot has six trim levels (eight, including models with HPD wheels). It has the highest base MSRP but a similar final price on its highest trim.
- Kia Telluride: Starting at the lowest MSRP with 10 trim levels, the Telluride has the broadest range of costs.
- Hyundai Palisade: With seven trim levels and a similar price to the Telluride, the Palisade is a reasonable middle ground.

Performance & Specs
We start our Honda Pilot vs. Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade guide with three similar powertrains. The new Honda Pilot for sale has slightly less horsepower than the other two, but compensates with a more advanced transmission, and all models reach 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped.
- Honda Pilot: A 10-speed automatic transmission pairs with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine to create an efficient, responsive experience at all speeds.
- Kia Telluride: The 3.8-liter engine has more horsepower than the Pilot, but the eight-speed automatic transmission keeps it feeling around the same responsiveness.
- Hyundai Palisade: The Palisade shares a similar powertrain and specs as the Kia model.

Interior
While all three vehicles have comfortable cabins, the Honda Pilot takes an extra step. The other two models have an edge on screen space, but our Honda Pilot specials have accessible comfort and convenience beyond either of the competing models.
- Honda Pilot: Leather upholstery on the second trim level, three-zone climate control, standard 10-way power seats, and standard front-row heated seats are all upgrades over the competitors.
- Kia Telluride: Great interior features, but you'll generally have to look one trim level up to match the Pilot. However, many options are left inferior, like its 10-speaker premium sound system or dual-zone climate control.
- Hyundai Palisade: Similar features to the Telluride, but with slightly better technology, like a 12-speaker premium sound system.

Size & Cargo Space
As you can see in our Honda Pilot vs. Honda Passport comparison, the Pilot is an exceptionally spacious vehicle. It has more maximum cargo capacity than either competitor, and while the others do have more overall legroom, the Pilot boasts the best third-row legroom.
- Honda Pilot: 32.5 inches of third-row legroom and 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume give the Pilot the space it needs for your growing family. You can see more of that size advantage in our Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander comparison.
- Kia Telluride: The Telluride has the advantage in second-row legroom, at 42.4 inches.
- Hyundai Palisade: If you are a tall driver, the Palisade excels in first-row legroom, sitting at 44.1 inches.

Safety & Reliability
All three models in our 2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Kia Telluride vs. 2025 Hyundai Palisade comparison boast excellent safety features and specifications, though all have unique advantages. That's why they all earned a five-out-of-five star rating from the NHTSA for their most recently tested model year.9,10,11
- Honda Pilot: Accessibility to features like Front Parking Sensors and a Multi-Angle Surround View Camera is better on the Pilot, usually added to the second or third trim.
- Kia Telluride: The Telluride offers a larger Head-Up Display and a wide swathe of upgradeable Collision Avoidance options, as well as a slightly longer warranty than the Pilot.
- Hyundai Palisade: Upgrades like Advanced Rear Occupant Alert and Remote Smart Parking Assist add a small amount of unique quality to the Palisade.
Pros & Cons of the Honda Pilot
Pros
- Exceptional maximum potential cargo space
- High-end standard features
- Easiest access to leather upholstery
- Most advanced transmission system
- Most expansive third-row legroom and headroom
Cons
- Slightly less horsepower than Telluride or Palisade
- Higher MSRP
Pros & Cons of the Kia Telluride
Pros
- Lowest base price
- Highest number of trims
Cons
- Weakest lineup of standard features
- Shorter third-row legroom
- Less impressive safety features
- Lacks some of the high-end luxuries
Pros & Cons of the Hyundai Palisade
Pros
- Great technology and safety options
- Most front-row legroom
Cons
- Smallest cargo volume of the three
- Some lacking features, like 8-way seating
- Lowest AWD MPG ratings overall
- Lackluster third-row legroom and headroom
Conclusion
- Choose the Honda Pilot if you want the greatest cargo space and the best lineup of standard and available features.
- Choose the Kia Telluride if you prefer the longer warranty or need higher available towing capacity.
- Choose the Hyundai Palisade if cargo capacity isn't a concern and you want to prioritize technology advancements over cabin comfort.
Customer Reviews On The Honda Pilot:
1Based on 2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors.
2Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle's condition. See www.fueleconomy.gov.
3All figures are EPA estimates and for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition.
4Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
5Towing requires additional equipment. See Owner's Manual for towing capacity, additional instructions and warnings. Always use caution while towing.
6Towing capability varies by configuration. See the towing guide in the Owner's Manual for proper use and additional information.
7Warranties listed on this web page shall not be solely relied upon. Warranties may be subject to specific terms, restrictions, exclusions, and fees. Additional warranty information may be obtained by visiting the official website of the warranty provider. Contact our dealership for complete details.
8Warranties 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.
9Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2025/HONDA/PILOT
10Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2025/Kia/TELLURIDE


