2027 Kia Telluride vs. 2026 Honda Pilot: The Better Three-Row SUV for Arcade Families

Families in Arcade and across Jackson County who need three rows of seats keep landing on the same two names: the Honda Pilot and the Kia Telluride. They are both roomy, both tow up to 5,000 pounds, and both fill a lot of driveways. But when you put the redesigned 2027 Telluride next to the 2026 Pilot and compare what each one actually gives you, the Telluride pulls ahead on price, third-row space, warranty, and, for the first time, a hybrid option the Pilot cannot match. Here is the breakdown. Prices below include destination and come from Edmunds’ published comparison.

Price: The Telluride Starts Nearly $3,000 Lower

The 2027 Telluride LX starts at $40,735 including destination. The 2026 Honda Pilot Sport starts at $43,690. That is a gap of $2,955 before you add a single option. For a family that is also paying for car seats, activities, and a growing grocery bill, nearly $3,000 at the starting line is a meaningful head start.

Third-Row Space: The Telluride Gives You More Where Families Need It

A three-row SUV earns its keep when all the seats are in use. With the third row up, the Telluride offers 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, compared with 18.6 cubic feet in the Pilot. That is nearly four more cubic feet, roughly the difference between fitting a week of groceries and a few backpacks and having to leave something at home. With the second and third rows folded, the Telluride offers 89.3 cubic feet, compared with the Pilot’s 87.0. If you regularly carry a full family plus their stuff to a game weekend in Athens or a trip to the lake, the Telluride gives you more room to do it.

Power and Torque: Pull That You Feel

The Honda Pilot gets credit for one number: its 3.5-liter V6 makes 285 horsepower, 11 more than the Telluride’s turbocharged 2.5-liter at 274. But horsepower is only part of how a vehicle feels. The Telluride makes 311 lb-ft of torque, compared with the Pilot’s 262, and torque is what you feel when you merge onto I-85, climb a grade with a full load, or pull a trailer. The Telluride delivers almost 50 more lb-ft, and it does it with an eight-speed automatic. Both tow up to 5,000 pounds, so the Pilot’s V6 does not translate into a towing advantage.

The Hybrid: Something the Pilot Does Not Offer

This is where the comparison stops being close. For 2027, the Telluride adds a turbo hybrid with 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, with EPA-estimated combined fuel economy up to 35 mpg and a range of roughly 600 miles on a tank. The Telluride Hybrid EX front-wheel drive starts at $48,035 including destination. By comparison, the Pilot is rated at 20 to 22 mpg combined, and the Edmunds comparison lists only a V6 engine for it. A family that drives 15,000 miles a year can save a significant amount at the pump with the hybrid, and it comes with more power than either gas model. If you want a three-row SUV that does not drink fuel, the Telluride is the only one of these two that can deliver it.

Warranty: Twice the Powertrain Coverage

The Telluride comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Honda Pilot carries a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That means Kia covers the engine and transmission for twice as long, and covers the rest of the vehicle for two additional years. For a family that plans to keep a three-row SUV through the kid years, which can easily stretch past eight or ten years, that difference is real money you will not spend.

What the Warranty Means in Years, Not Just Miles

Warranty numbers feel abstract until you convert them into time. A family driving 15,000 miles a year runs through the Pilot’s 36,000-mile basic warranty in about two and a half years, and through its 60,000-mile powertrain coverage in about four. The Telluride’s 60,000-mile basic warranty lasts about four years at that pace, and its 100,000-mile powertrain coverage lasts roughly six and a half. That is two and a half more years of engine and transmission protection during the stretch when most families are still making payments.

Trims Worth a Look

Beyond the LX, the Telluride lineup includes the X-Line, which adds a rugged look and all-wheel drive, and the X-Pro, aimed at buyers who want more capability on gravel roads and trails. Edmunds lists the EX X-Line at $48,835 and the SX X-Pro at $55,235, both including destination. Both seat seven or eight depending on configuration, just as the Pilot does, so the family-hauling credentials are equal. What differs is how much you pay and how long you are covered.

Design and Technology

The 2027 Telluride is all-new, with a larger body, a more upscale interior, and 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment on the new model. It also introduces a smaller climate control screen. Kia’s goal was clearly to move the Telluride further upmarket without leaving its value roots behind, and the result is an interior that looks and feels more expensive than its price suggests. Drivers who have loved the Telluride for years will find the new one familiar, but better.

Georgia Credentials

Another thing that sets the Telluride apart for Georgia drivers: it is built right here in the state, at Kia’s plant in West Point. Choosing a Telluride supports Georgia workers and keeps the dollars in the Southeast. For a Jackson County family that cares about where their vehicle comes from, that matters.

How to Test Them Properly

Do a real family test. Bring the car seats and install them in both vehicles. Sit in the third row yourself, and then ask an older child to do the same. Load your stroller, a cooler, and the sports bag you carry every weekend, and see which one swallows them without effort. Then drive both on the same route, including a stretch of highway. Many buyers make up their mind in the first ten minutes of that test.

The Verdict

The Telluride is the better three-row SUV for Arcade families. It costs less to start, gives you more usable space behind the third row, makes more torque, and carries a warranty that is twice as long on the powertrain. And with the new hybrid, it offers a way to cut your fuel bill that the Pilot simply does not have. The Pilot’s extra 11 horsepower is real, but it is the only number on this page where Honda leads. If you want the most vehicle for your family and your budget, the Telluride is the one to buy.

Test Drive the 2027 Telluride at Bulldog Kia in Athens

Arcade drivers are an easy drive from Bulldog Kia in Athens, where you can see the redesigned 2027 Telluride in person and compare it with anything else you are considering. Bring the family and the car seats, and let our team show you the gas and hybrid models side by side. Contact Bulldog Kia or stop by to schedule your test drive today.

Pricing shown is MSRP as published by third-party sources in late October 2026, and each article notes whether destination is included. Tax, title, tag, and dealer fees are not included. See Bulldog Kia for full details and current offers.