2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Kia Telluride

Styling was crucial for the 2021 Honda Pilot, alongside reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Honda aimed to strike a balance with this SUV, introducing a 2019 refresh for a rugged exterior and a 2020 Black Edition for a sleek, dark look. Despite these efforts, its exterior design was still considered unique and not universally appealing. The 2021 Pilot was available in seven different trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition, with prices starting from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) as a $2,000 option, except for the Elite and Black Edition trims where AWD was standard. Notably, the Special Edition trim was new for 2021, featuring black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior details, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate, priced at $38,960 with FWD. The Honda Pilot Black Edition, which we reviewed, was fully loaded and featured an exclusive platinum white pearl paint for an additional $395, culminating in a total price of $51,435 including destination charges. The Black Edition had unique black leather upholstery with red accents, creating a sportier, more premium feel. However, the Pilot’s black floor mats, despite being practical, were known for collecting animal hair. Quality materials were evident throughout the cabin, but the flat dashboard, slender windshield pillars, low center console, and inboard armrests gave the SUV a minivan-like front seat experience, which, paired with its exterior design, may not have appealed to everyone. In comparison, the 2021 Kia Telluride was offered in four trims: LX, S, EX, and SX, with base prices ranging from $32,190 to $42,490. The Telluride S was deemed a value pick, but many favored the top-tier SX trim with the Prestige package, transforming it into a near-luxury SUV. This option added premium Nappa leather, a suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated/ventilated second-row seats. The new Nightfall Edition for 2021, available for EX and SX trims, added gloss black 20-inch wheels and a unique grille with a blacked-out look, which our test vehicle featured. With AWD, the Prestige, Towing package, and additional accessories, the total price was $50,180. The Telluride's design was praised for its near-perfect proportions and quality, with only minor criticisms regarding some glossy hard plastics in the interior. The Telluride’s thoughtfully placed transmission shifter saved valuable space, contributing to a sense of quality. Though color options for the interior were limited to black or gray unless opting for the SX trim, the SUV exuded a blend of rugged and upscale aesthetic that many found highly appealing.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, providing a lively and smooth driving experience. The engine was mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels unless equipped with the available torque-vectoring AWD, which could send up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel. Intelligent Traction Management with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand driving modes enhanced its versatility on various terrains. Fuel-saving technologies, including variable-cylinder management and auto stop/start, contributed to its EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for the AWD model, with our test run yielding 21.5 mpg. The Pilot’s MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension delivered a comfortable ride and agile handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and Black Edition’s 20-inch wheels. Responsive steering and well-calibrated brakes added to the driving pleasure, albeit with some heat-induced brake rumble during extended use. Despite its on-road prowess, the Pilot’s off-road capabilities were hampered by its 7.3-inch ground clearance, limited approach and departure angles, and all-season tires, making it suitable only for minor off-road scenarios. Conversely, the 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels, with AWD as an option. The selectable drive modes—Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart—catered to different driving conditions, with AWD models having a Lock function to distribute power evenly at low speeds for optimal traction. The Telluride’s 8-inch ground clearance made it more capable on rough terrain, as evidenced during its introduction in snowy and muddy conditions in Colorado, where it performed admirably. On regular roads, the Telluride excelled in minimizing “head-toss,” a sensation caused by lateral rocking movements over uneven surfaces, thanks to its well-tuned suspension system with a self-leveling rear suspension available on higher trims. The Telluride’s handling was predictable and composed, facilitated by brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control. Despite some body roll in corners, the 20-inch wheels provided strong grip. Its combined fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg by the EPA, with our test loop achieving 20.5 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats in the test vehicle were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver but only four-way for the front passenger. The second-row captain’s chairs on the Touring trim and standard on higher trims featured heating and inboard armrests, and could slide forward for more third-row space, albeit still being somewhat tight for adults. Storage in the Pilot was abundant, with compartments throughout the cabin, a front seatback smartphone holder, and a large center console. Cargo space behind the third row was 16.5 cubic feet, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet, making it versatile for road trips. The 2021 Kia Telluride, designed with comfort and utility in mind, featured a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar and thigh support adjustments, enhancing the driving experience. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the Prestige package added upscale materials and noise-reducing glass. The Telluride’s second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating and ventilation, with a user-friendly tilt-and-slide function for easy third-row access. Storage solutions were well-integrated, with multiple smartphone holders and conveniently placed USB ports. The “smart” hands-free liftgate was particularly useful, automatically activating when the key fob was nearby. With all seats in place, the Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with the second row down. The cargo area setup made it easy to utilize the space effectively for various needs.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text messaging support, satellite radio, and basic HondaLink services. The Special Edition brought wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim added navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. However, the infotainment system was seen as just adequate, with a small screen and somewhat cumbersome voice-recognition technology. The Touring trim’s rear-seat entertainment system, featuring a 115-volt outlet, HDMI port, and Cabin Talk, enhanced family trips by allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers without shouting. The 2021 Kia Telluride topped its LX and S trims’ 8-inch touchscreens with a 10.25-inch display, navigation system, and further enhancements in higher trims. UVO Link Lite connected services were free for five years, with additional packages offering features like Rear Occupant Alert and remote operations. Upper trims boasted wireless charging, while the simple and intuitive interface of the infotainment system garnered praise. The Harman Kardon surround-sound system, standard on SX trims, delivered decent but not exceptional audio quality. Features such as Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, standard on EX and SX, further enhanced passenger comfort by amplifying the driver’s voice or limiting audio to front speakers, while the Prestige package added a comprehensive head-up display providing crucial driving information.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with Honda Sensing as standard across all trims, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim and above featured a blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning system. While effective, the Pilot’s ADAS was considered less refined compared to newer systems. The NHTSA awarded the Pilot a five-star overall rating despite a four-star rating for front-passenger protection, while the IIHS gave it top “good” ratings except an “acceptable” score for small overlap front passenger protection and headlights on lower trims. The 2021 Kia Telluride had eight standard safety technologies, including lane-maintenance tech, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added Highway Drive Assist, offering seamless and sophisticated semi-autonomous driving aid, while features like Rear Occupant Alert and Safe Exit Assist enhanced safety for all passengers. Exclusive SX trim features included front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for early 2020 models, although it might not retain this due to issues with standard headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating despite four-star frontal-impact protection for the driver and front passenger.