Comparison: 2020 Honda Pilot vs. 2020 Kia Telluride

2020 Honda Pilot 

Starting MSRP: $41,290*CDN

Pros
●    Generous amount of headroom
●    Practical and functional interior design
●    Proven reliability 

Cons
●    New in 2016, the latest generation of Pilot’s styling is looking a little dated
●    Lower trims offer a 6- instead of 9-speed automatic.

2020 Honda Pilot

Refreshed for 2019, the 7- to 8-passenger, all-wheel-drive 2020 Honda Pilot midsize 3-row SUV offers a roomy and versatile cabin and plenty of power, as well as respectable off-road capabilities. Creamy smooth and feeling like it will never run out of power, Honda’s 3.5-litre 6-cylinder engine makes 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard. For maximum efficiency, a 9-speed automatic is available on the $53,290 CDN Touring and $55,190 CDN Black Edition models. Although the Pilot quite rightly prioritizes comfort over cornering ability, there’s still a feeling of fluid composure.

The 2020 Honda Pilot can handle a variety of Canadian road conditions thanks to selectable Snow, Mud and Sand terrain modes. An improved torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system helps improve the handling of the Honda. Inside the Pilot, you’ll find excellent outward visibility and versatile seating options—you might think you are in a minivan instead of an SUV. One benefit of the Honda Pilot’s minivan-style front seats and dashboard is a giant centre console between the seats. Every 2020 Honda Pilot is equipped with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems.

2020 Kia Telluride 

Starting MSRP: $44,995 CDN

Pros
●    Quiet and luxurious interior
●    Plenty of passenger and cargo room
●    Kia’s factory warranty offers two more years and 40,000 more kilometres than Honda’s 3-yr/60,000-km warranty

Cons
●    Relatively high base price
●    Unproven resale value and reliability

2020 Kia Telluride

Aimed at established rivals like the Honda Pilot, the all-wheel-drive 2020 Telluride is Kia’s brand new 7- or 8-passenger midsize 3-row SUV. Boxy but handsome, the Telluride’s styling punches above its price point, looking more like a luxury SUV. The premium feel continues inside, where the Telluride gets a variety of high-quality materials. Upgrade to the topline $53,995 CDN Telluride SX Limited with Nappa leather interior, and the cabin takes on a decidedly upscale look and feel. Safety is baked right in, and Kia endows the Telluride with the latest in driving-assistance, collision-avoidance, and infotainment technologies. Rear Occupant Alert warns a driver that a child or a pet might still be in the Telluride’s back seat when the driver has left the vehicle.

On the road, the Telluride is smooth and comfortable. With a variety of driving modes, it can handle all kinds of Canadian driving conditions. A 3.8-litre 6-cylinder engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission is the lone powertrain. Kia wanted to make sure the SUV delivered both capable handling plus a comfortable long-distance ride quality. As such, the Telluride handles long road trips with graceful ease while providing a supremely quiet ride.

Final Choice

Both of these midsize 3-row SUVs are highly functional and fully capable family haulers. The 2020 Honda Pilot offers proven reliability, a reputation for quality and high resale values, making it a solid choice. As the new kid on the block, the 2020 Kia Telluride’s reliability and resale value are unproven. But with its generous warranty (two more years and 40,000 kms more than the Pilot), comfortable ride, roomier interior, fresher styling, and luxury-SUV amenities, the Kia is the better choice.