2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in five trims in Canada, with AWD as standard. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, offered a premium feel. However, the interior's minivan-like design and drab exterior did not appeal to everyone, and cleaning the black mats was a challenge for pet owners.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Telluride was praised for its striking design and luxurious feel. Available in four trims, all with AWD, the Telluride's SX Limited trim offered premium features like Nappa leather and a head-up display. The Nightsky Edition added a blacked-out look with unique styling elements. The Telluride's interior was noted for its contemporary design and quality materials, with thoughtful touches like a well-placed transmission shifter. While the interior colour options were limited, the overall look and feel of the Telluride were highly regarded.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its torque-vectoring AWD system could direct up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. The Pilot offered a smooth and refined driving experience, with a comfortable ride and athletic handling. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 L/100 km in combined driving, with the test vehicle achieving 10.9 L/100 km. However, its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with a 3.8-litre V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Its AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for improved traction, and the SUV boasted 20.3 cm of ground clearance. The Telluride excelled in various driving conditions, including snow and mud, and offered a smooth ride with minimal head-toss. Fuel efficiency was slightly lower, with a rating of 11.3 L/100 km, and the test vehicle averaged 11.5 L/100 km. The Telluride's suspension tuning provided a firm yet compliant ride, with commendable grip from its 20-inch wheels.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a bench second-row seat. The Black Edition featured comfortable heated and ventilated front seats, though the front passenger seat had limited adjustment. Second-row captain's chairs were standard on higher trims, providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The Pilot offered 524 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 3,092 litres with seats folded. Storage solutions were abundant, with a power tailgate available on higher trims.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a high driving position. The SX trim featured heated and ventilated front seats, with a distinctive leather pattern. Second-row captain's chairs offered heating and ventilation, and the third row was accessible via a button or pass-through. The Telluride provided 601 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,455 litres with seats folded. The smart hands-free power liftgate was a convenient feature, and storage solutions were thoughtfully designed for modern families.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. Higher trims offered navigation, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. The system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition capabilities. The Touring trim added a rear-seat entertainment system and Cabin Talk feature, though kids might prefer using the Wi-Fi for their devices.

The 2021 Kia Telluride boasted a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. The system allowed pairing of two smartphones and included wireless charging. It was user-friendly, with intuitive controls and responsive voice recognition. The SX trim featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, though sound quality was average. Limited trims added a head-up display with comprehensive information, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of ADAS features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. While effective, the system lacked refinement, and the lane-departure warning was intrusive. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and good ratings from IIHS, except for an acceptable score in small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and forward-collision avoidance. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. SX trims added front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact results.