2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Honda Pilot

One of the top traits that people look for in an SUV is the safety rating, and there are a few car manufacturers that excel in this department while still offering a great experience in other factors like performance, comfort, and entertainment. A couple of vehicles that have the potential to give you what you're looking for are the new 2023 Kia Telluride and the 2023 Honda Pilot which the Kia of Bedford team will be closely evaluating in this detailed comparison. When you're ready to shop for SUVs, make sure to take a look at our new inventory online

2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Honda Pilot

Just when you thought you'd found the SUV with the most safety features, the new 2023 Telluride is here to make you rethink what you know about what's currently available. Meanwhile, we've noticed that the new Pilot simply offers the bare minimum in most categories.

Performance

You'll find a substantially-sized 3.8L V6 engine in the new Telluride, giving you as much as 291 horsepower packed into a midsize SUV. This impressive powertrain can help you tow up to 5,500 pounds which makes it an ideal camping companion, especially when Tow Mode is on for extra trailer stability. This ample towing capacity is made possible with the creatively-designed cooling system specially engineered to assist with towing. It also helps to have Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive by your side for an easier trip, as well as a self-leveling rear suspension for minimal interference when faced with rough terrain.

The new Pilot comes with a smaller 3.5L V6 engine with a lower 285 horsepower, but it is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and AWD to help with the smoothness of your drive. A one-inch lift, all-terrain tires, and steel skid plates make the Pilot stand out from your average SUV, but the Telluride is anything but average. Having adaptive driving technologies easily makes the Telluride a better choice for a smooth and easy experience.

Safety Features

It's time to gear yourself up for the incredibly substantial array of safety and driver-assist features that the 2023 Telluride has to offer. We'll begin by pointing out that the Telluride comes with Kia Drive Wise which includes 17 standard features including automatic braking technology, collision avoidance capabilities, and other various driving assist features that prove useful. The head-up display is 10 inches large for easy visibility, there are 9 airbags for ample security measures, and additional intuitive features like Highway Driving Assist which does an excellent job of helping you stay within the speed limit and keeping enough distance between you and the car ahead of you. Other available features to help protect you on the road include Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control, and so much more. We are constantly surprised at how many features Kia can cram into a single vehicle, and the new Telluride is a perfect example.

Kia gets an A+ from us in the safety category for the latest Telluride, but the Pilot looks rather empty in comparison. Honda Sensing comes standard in the Pilot, but that barely includes Automated Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane-Departure Warning with Lane-Keeping Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control. Aside from what comes standard, there's not much you can do to expand your selection of safety features.

Interior

The Telluride already looks trendy on the outside, but the real party is inside the cabin. The Nappa leather seating trim comes in 5 available colors and is enhanced with premium stitching displaying one of the best designs we've seen yet. The second row is designed with comfortable captain's chairs with both rows having heating and ventilation for maximum comfort. The Telluride also excels in entertainment value with the massive 12.3-inch Dual Panoramic Displays and accompanying Harmon Kardon Premium Audio System for robust and dynamic sound quality. Your music comes out crystal clear among the quiet zone interior, increased noise suppression, and laminated glass. You'll also find a 110V power inverter in the rear cargo area which can come in handy when you're far from home.

The Pilot also has a panoramic sunroof and the ability to include second-row captain's chairs, but they're lacking in material and design quality. And after seeing the Telluride's 12.3-inch dual screen setup, it's hard to adjust to the Pilot's standard 7-inch infotainment screen and driver display. You have the choice of upgrading to a 9-inch infotainment screen and 10.2-inch display cluster, but having a single massive screen to show you everything on a large display is too satisfying to pass up.

Bottom Line

The Telluride and Pilot are both popular choices for midsize SUVs, but Kia outdid themselves again with the 2023 Telluride that has so much going on making it the clearly better value over the Pilot. More power with a performance build, 17 standard safety features, and state-of-the-art technology throughout the cabin easily take the new Telluride up to our top spot.

Ask Us About The 2023 Kia Telluride!

Call Kia of Bedford today to learn more about the 2023 Kia Telluride! Our friendly team is extremely knowledgeable to help you find the perfect ride for you. You're always welcome to visit us anytime, or you can browse our new inventory online at your convenience.