7 Reasons to Love the 2025 Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride (with a Few Funny Flaws)
The mid-size SUV category is getting more exciting every year with automakers competing to offer the best family-friendly SUV packed with tech comfort and power. The 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2025 Kia Telluride stand out as two of the top contenders and it’s not hard to see why both have become household names in the SUV world. However picking between them can be tough. So we’ve put the two head to head to help you decide which one fits your life best—without pulling any punches. From towing capacity to tech quirks and how well they handle that unexpected Starbucks run let's dive deep into these two mid-size kings.
Engine & Performance
The heart of any SUV starts under the hood. Here’s where the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride both have their strengths—but also a few “character-building” quirks.
Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot boasts a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, giving you 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s got enough punch to easily handle daily driving and the occasional off-road adventure (think camping trips or that one time you decided to follow Google Maps' “shortest route”). With a 9-speed automatic transmission, it shifts smoothly through gears whether you're cruising on the highway or darting through city traffic.
The Pros:
- Smooth Handling: For a vehicle its size, the Pilot handles like a smaller SUV.
- Towing Capacity: Can haul up to 5000 pounds, which is great if you've got a boat or trailer to tow.
- All-Wheel Drive Available: For extra traction on icy or muddy roads.
The Cons (Let’s Be Honest):
- Fuel Economy: While not terrible, you’re getting 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway. It’s not going to win any green awards.
- Acceleration Could Be Quicker: You won’t be winning any drag races at stoplights.
- The Size Conundrum: Some may find the Pilot’s bulk a little tricky to navigate in tight parking spots. It's the kind of SUV where you look back twice after parking to make sure you fit inside the lines (Spoiler alert: you didn’t).
Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride is no slouch when it comes to performance either. Like the Pilot, it sports a 3.8-liter V6 engine but cranks out a bit more power at 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. A 8-speed automatic transmission keeps things moving along smoothly and it’s got enough grunt to handle daily family duties as well as that trip to the mountains you keep promising yourself.
The Pros:
- Excellent Ride Quality: Smooth sailing on highways with confident handling.
- Powerful Towing: Matches the Pilot with a 5000-pound towing capacity.
- Fuel Economy Is… OK: Coming in at 19 mpg city / 24 mpg highway it’s close to the Pilot but don’t expect Prius numbers here.
The Cons (Laugh Along with Me):
- Lag in the Throttle Response: There’s a noticeable delay when you hit the gas pedal. It’s like the Telluride is saying, “Oh, you wanted me to go NOW?”
- Bigger Than It Looks: It’s wide, and you might find yourself doing mental gymnastics when it comes to parking. The rear visibility isn’t great either so keep those sensors on full blast.
Interior & Comfort
When it comes to space, both the Pilot and Telluride are roomy—there’s no shortage of space to haul the kids, pets, sports gear, groceries, and let’s be honest a few extra cups of coffee.
Honda Pilot
Inside the 2025 Pilot, you’ll find a high-quality cabin that’s great for both driver and passengers. The materials feel upscale and the seats? Super comfy—especially on long drives. Seating capacity tops out at eight making it a great choice for larger families or those who carpool.
Highlights:
- Spacious Third Row: Yes, even adults can fit in the back without needing a chiropractor after the ride.
- Excellent Headroom and Legroom: Plenty of space for tall passengers.
- Rear Seat Entertainment: Keep the kids entertained on road trips with rear-seat screens (so they can stop asking “Are we there yet?”).
The Flaws (But Hey Who’s Perfect):
- Center Console Madness: It’s a bit confusing—so many buttons. You may feel like you need a cheat sheet just to figure out how to adjust the fan speed.
- Cargo Space Could Be Better: With all seats up, you get about 16.5 cubic feet of space which isn’t massive for a large SUV.
- The Infotainment Screen Isn’t the Biggest: At 9 inches it’s decent but could leave you squinting at times—especially when you’re trying to figure out if you just missed a turn.
Kia Telluride
Step into the Kia Telluride and you might actually let out a small “wow.” Kia has been knocking it out of the park with its interiors lately and the Telluride is no exception. Everything feels premium and well-thought-out. From the layout to the materials you’ll get a luxury-like vibe without the price tag.
Highlights:
- Beautiful Cabin: Soft-touch materials and wood accents give it a classy feel.
- Tons of Tech: Standard 12.3-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
- Second-Row Captain’s Chairs: Available option and a great move for separating squabbling kids.
The Drawbacks (Because It’s Not All Sunshine):
- The Touchscreen Is Large… Maybe Too Large?: With such a big screen you might be distracted by all the fingerprints. Good luck keeping that thing smudge-free!
- Seats Feel a Bit Firm: You might want to invest in a cushion if you’re planning a long road trip.
- Cargo Could Be Better: At 21 cubic feet behind the third row it's decent but you might still struggle with fitting multiple suitcases or that oversized Costco haul.
Technology & Infotainment
Both SUVs have embraced modern technology but let’s take a closer look at the tech goodies inside.
Honda Pilot
Key Features:
- 9-inch Infotainment System: Comes with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Wireless Phone Charging: A standard feature on higher trims.
- Honda Sensing Suite: A standard package that includes lane-keeping assist adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation braking.
The Quirks:
- Not As Intuitive: The system can feel a bit laggy at times. You might find yourself swiping multiple times before it responds—especially when the kids are yelling.
- Navigation Looks Dated: Feels like something from 2015 not 2025.
Kia Telluride
Key Features:
- 12.3-inch Touchscreen: You get more screen real estate and a crisper display.
- Blind-Spot View Monitor: A camera shows a live feed of your blind spot when you activate the turn signal—a handy feature!
- Surround View Monitor: Great for parking in those tight spaces.
The Drawbacks:
- Overwhelming At First: With so many tech features you’ll need a bit of time to figure out what does what. There’s a button for everything—except perhaps starting the coffee maker.
Safety Features & Ratings
Both SUVs pack impressive safety features and have received high marks in crash tests.
Honda Pilot Safety
- Honda Sensing Standard: Features include forward-collision warning automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
- Top Safety Pick: It’s expected to perform well in crash tests similar to previous models.
Downsides:
- The Adaptive Cruise Control Feels Nanny-ish: It’s a little too cautious sometimes—braking earlier than you’d expect and generally treating every vehicle like it’s out to get you.
Kia Telluride Safety
- High Safety Ratings: Like the Pilot the Telluride is expected to get top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS.
- Safe Exit Assist: Alerts passengers if they’re about to open a door into oncoming traffic—because kids will definitely not check that themselves.
Funny Flaw:
- Warning Overload: The Telluride loves to beep and warn you. It’s like having a very anxious passenger constantly pointing out dangers: "Hey there's a car in your blind spot! Watch out for that pedestrian! The road ahead looks…slightly bumpy!"
Price & Value
Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot starts around $37,000 and climbs depending on trim level and options. It’s competitive pricing for the class but you'll find yourself edging into the $50,000 range if you want the fancier features like leather seats and the top-tier tech.
Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride starts a bit cheaper at around $36,000. But don’t get too excited—you’ll be hitting the $50,000 mark if you go for the fully loaded SX Prestige trim.
Verdict
Both SUVs offer great value for what you’re getting but the Telluride edges out a win for offering more luxury feel for the money. That said Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability may justify the extra cost for some buyers.
Final Thoughts: Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride
At the end of the day, choosing between the 2025 Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride is going to come down to your priorities. The Pilot is perfect if you want a comfortable ride and don’t mind a few extra inches of bulk while the Telluride impresses with its premium feel and user-friendly tech.
Alex Collantes—a long-time SUV enthusiast—said, "If I had to choose I'd probably go with the Telluride. It's got that smooth ride and it feels luxurious but it won’t make your wallet cry. But honestly it depends on what you need in an SUV—both of these are winners in their own way."
The Bottom Line
You really can’t go wrong with either one but here’s a quick recap:
- Honda Pilot: Great if you prioritize space smooth handling and proven reliability.
- Kia Telluride: Perfect for those wanting luxury style tech and a modern look at a fair price.
Both SUVs are excellent options but be prepared to spend a little time getting used to their quirks. After all no SUV is perfect—unless you’re a parking lot wizard with a magic touch for infotainment screens.