2026 Honda Pilot vs. Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade

Finding the right midsize SUV for your growing family can seem like a daunting task at first. After all, this segment has exploded in popularity in recent years and several new competitors have joined the fray. Whether you’re craving a spacious interior, groundbreaking technology, or go-anywhere performance capabilities — it’s easy to see why midsize SUVs remain a hit with drivers all across the country.

To demonstrate how the proven Honda Pilot continues to set the benchmark for its class, our team at Germain Honda of Surprise has created this competitive comparison. You’ll see exactly how the Pilot fares against two of its biggest rivals — the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Which one will earn the victory? Let’s find out!

Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride

First up to challenge the Honda Pilot is the Kia Telluride. Comparing equivalent trim levels, the Pilot starts this matchup with a sizable $1,595 price advantage over the Telluride (excluding destination charges)*. Those savings only continue to add up as you go down the lengthy list of advantages of the Pilot.

The first category we’ll explore is performance. Right from the start, the Pilot has the edge thanks to its larger and more powerful 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. Even more impressive. the Pilot manages to deliver better highway fuel economy than the Telluride. This is due in part to its more sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission. You’ll also enjoy superior stopping power thanks to bigger brake rotors, always helpful on a larger SUV. Exclusive to the Pilot, the innovative Tire Fill Assistant takes the guesswork out of adding air to your tires. A capless fueling system is another convenience advantage for the Pilot.

Shifting our focus towards the interior, the Pilot delivers a serene drive experience thanks to standard Active Noise Cancellation. Kia can’t match the cutting-edge Google built-in infotainment system included as standard on the Pilot. Greater headroom and legroom in the third row of seating round out the impressive list of reasons to choose the Honda Pilot over the Kia Telluride.

Honda Pilot vs Hyundai Palisade

Next up, we’ll see exactly how the Honda Pilot measures up against the Hyundai Palisade. The prices of these two popular models are very similar but a closer look reveals that choosing Hyundai over Honda can actually prove to be an expensive mistake.

Looking at equivalent trim levels equipped with all-wheel drive, the Pilot is equipped with a more sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission included as standard on the Pilot. You’ll also receive larger 20-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment compared to the smaller 18-inch wheels found on the Palisade.

Shifting our attention to the interiors of both SUVs, the Honda Pilot continues to outperform the Hyundai Palisade. Advantages for the Pilot include its larger seating capacity, power-adjustable front passenger seat, greater cargo capacity, and capless fueling system. Technology highlights include standard Active Noise Cancellation and keyfob-activated window controls. Finally, Honda covers your first scheduled maintenance visit at no additional cost.

Winner – Honda Pilot

Now that we’ve tallied the results, the clear winner of this in-depth SUV model comparison is the Honda Pilot. Both the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are unable to compete with the remarkable value, versatility, innovation, and performance found across the Honda Pilot model lineup. Ready to experience all that the Pilot has to offer? Our team at Germain Honda of Surprise is standing by to help you find the model that’s perfect for your lifestyle.

DISCLAIMERS:

*MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $1,495 destination charge for 2026 models, and accessories. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $455 charge for premium colors.

**19 city/27 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD trims. 19 city/25 highway/21 combined mpg rating for non-TrailSport AWD trims. 18 city/23 highway/20 combined mpg rating for TrailSport. Based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.