2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2020 Honda Pilot exhibited a dynamic styling consistent with the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. Its design cleverly masked its size, giving it a more streamlined appearance. Inside, the Pilot offered a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog and digital elements. While the cabin was comfortable and spacious, it fell short of the upscale feel provided by some competitors, with hard plastics in various areas. The Pilot was available in several trims, each adding more features, from the basic LX with standard all-wheel drive and heated front seats to the luxurious Black Edition with unique black-painted wheels and red interior lighting.

The 2021 Kia Telluride, on the other hand, was praised for its terrific styling and quality execution both inside and out. It offered a luxurious feel at a mainstream price, especially in the SX Limited trim, which included premium Nappa leather and a head-up display. The Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with a focus on comfort and utility. Despite some glossy hard plastics, the overall design was contemporary and well-executed. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition added a popular blacked-out look with unique design elements. The Telluride's interior was spacious and well-equipped, with features like heated and ventilated seats and a user-friendly transmission shifter that preserved storage space.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It came with standard all-wheel drive, and the transmission varied by trim, with a 6-speed automatic for the LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and a 9-speed automatic for the Touring and Black Edition. The 9-speed transmission offered more refined acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System provided different drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its capability in challenging terrains.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It offered Kia’s Drive Mode Select technology with options like Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The Telluride's AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, complemented by 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance. The Telluride excelled in ride and handling, nearly eliminating head-toss and providing a firm yet compliant ride. Its suspension tuning allowed for greater body roll but maintained commendable grip, aided by brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious 8-passenger cabin, with optional second-row captain’s chairs on higher trims, reducing seating to seven. It provided an adult-friendly third row with ample head and legroom, and EX-L trims and higher featured one-touch fold-down rear seats for easy access. The Pilot boasted 1,583 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, surpassing many competitors. It was designed for family hauling, with plenty of storage spaces and features like a conversation mirror and CabinTalk for easy communication with rear passengers.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a driver’s seat offering 12-way power adjustments and a high seating position for a commanding view. The interior featured heated and ventilated front seats, acoustic sound-absorbing glass, and sliding second-row captain’s chairs with heating and ventilation. The third row was accessible via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat, and robust grab handles aided exit. The Telluride provided ample storage, with smartphone-friendly features and a smart hands-free power liftgate. It offered 601 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,455 litres.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo with a subwoofer, but lacked a tuning knob, making interaction cumbersome. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a rear entertainment system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Touring and Black Edition received an upgraded 590-watt, 11-speaker audio system and wireless charging.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It allowed pairing of two smartphones via Bluetooth and included wireless charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive operation and menu shortcut buttons. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, while Limited grades added a head-up display with comprehensive information.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was equipped with the HondaSensing suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured standard airbags, child-seat anchors, and traction control. Optional safety features included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with a Superior score in crash prevention technology.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also featured adaptive cruise control, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. SX trim added front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite four-star frontal-impact results.