Head-to-head · vehicle level

Honda Pilot vs. Kia Telluride

Honda Pilot 70Kia Telluride 80on the MotiveGrid ScoreKia Telluride about $572 less over 5 years
The verdict

The 2027 Kia Telluride is the cheaper one to own — roughly $572 less over five years.

The Kia Telluride is the stronger all-round pick here — cheaper to own with little given up in return.

Last updated May 2026 · National-average estimates

Honda Pilot vs. Kia Telluride

MotiveGrid scores, key specs, and five-year cost comparison: 2026 Honda Pilot versus 2027 Kia Telluride.
MetricHonda PilotKia Telluride
MotiveGrid Score7080
Cost of Ownership7172
Powertrain6060
Driver Assistance4332
Livability5363
Safety75100
5-Year Cost to Own$58,449$57,877
Depreciation (5-yr)$20,816$20,771
Fuel / Energy (5-yr)$15,304$15,304
Insurance (5-yr)$10,865$10,760
Maintenance (5-yr)$1,790$1,915
Tires (5-yr)$2,150$2,150
Financing (5-yr)$6,379$5,896
Registration (5-yr)$1,145$1,080
Starting Price$42,395$39,190
Horsepower285 hp291 hp
MPG (combined)22 mpg22 mpg
Cargo volume18.6 cu ft21 cu ft
Seating88
DrivetrainFWDFWD
Gas
2026$42,395
2026 Honda Pilot SUV in three-quarter front view
MSRP
$42,395
Mo · 5yr
$974
$58,449 / 5 years
Best for driver assistance
Gas
2027$39,190
2027 Kia Telluride in three-quarter front view
MSRP
$39,190
Mo · 5yr
$965
$57,877 / 5 years
Best for long-term savings
VS
01 · The MotiveGrid Score

Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.

Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →

Kia Telluride scores higher overall.

Honda Pilot
0
/ 100
Kia Telluride
0
/ 100
CostFive-year all-in cost to own, benchmarked against the class median.
Pilot
71
Telluride
72
Winner: Telluride
$572 cheaper / 5 yrs
PowertrainEnergy efficiency paired with long-term ownership confidence.
Pilot
60
Telluride
60
Evenly matched
Driver AssistHighway driving support, parking convenience, and hands-free automation.
Pilot
43
Telluride
32
Winner: Pilot
+11 pts
Strong highway driving support
LivabilityPassenger space, cargo room, and everyday maneuverability.
Pilot
53
Telluride
63
Winner: Telluride
+10 pts
Easy to maneuver and park
SafetyCrash-test protection plus standard crash-avoidance features.
Pilot
75
Telluride
100
Winner: Telluride
+25 pts
IIHS Top Safety Pick+
Full standard crash-avoidance suite
02

Which vehicle is right for you

🏆

Kia Telluride is the better pick for long-term ownership — about $572 cheaper over 5 years with stronger fundamentals on running cost.

Honda Pilot still wins if your priority is best for driver assistance.

Daily commuter
Honda Pilot
Lowest energy cost per mile
Budget-focused
Kia Telluride
Cheapest to own across 5 years
Family hauler
Kia Telluride
Much stronger safety with slightly more cargo room
Highway driver
Honda Pilot
Better adaptive cruise + lane keep
City driver
Kia Telluride
Easiest to park and maneuver in tight spots
03

Cost of Ownership

Monthly running costs — national baseline.
Adjust for your situation

State

Miles/yr15,000
Loan rate7%
Down payment20%
Honda Pilot
Monthly · 5-Year avg
$974
$58,449 total / 5 years
Total · monthly$974/mo
Kia Telluride
Monthly · 5-Year avg
$965
$57,877 total / 5 years
Total · monthly$965/mo
💡
On fuel + maintenance alone, the pricier Honda Pilot would need 128.2 years to recoup its $3,205 price premium ($25/yr in savings) — longer than most people own a car. Depreciation and insurance aren’t included in this payback view.
04

Frequently asked questions

Kia Telluride comes out about $572 cheaper over 5 years on running costs (depreciation, fuel/energy, insurance, maintenance, financing). The gap shifts with your state, annual miles, and loan rate — use the "Adjust for your situation" panel above.

Where these rank

Browse all MotiveGrid rankings →

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