2020 Kia Telluride Vs Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander
Kia's newest flagship SUV The Kia Telluride will focus on both family-hauling capabilities and outdoor adventure, offering a larger option against the three-row Sorento. Chief complaint customers have had about the Kia Sorento, the company's long-standing three-row option, was in third-row spaciousness and the limited amount of cargo space available when the third row is deployed. So although the Sorento is an excellent choice in three-row midsized crossovers, it falls short of some customer's needs. This is why Kia brought the larger Telluride.
The 2020 Kia Telluride is one of the larger options in the full-sized three-row segment. Competitors like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Highlander are tough options to beat, though. So here is a side-by-side comparison of the four three-row options, by the numbers.Â
Before looking at the numbers, it's important to know who the competitors are. The 2020 Kia Telluride will be up against strong offerings from three key players in the midsized three-row SUV market.
Pilot vs Telluride
The Honda Pilot is a top-selling three-row crossover-SUV known for its strong V6 engine and large interior space compared to rivals. Of our lineup, the Pilot may be the toughest for the all-new Telluride to compete against.
Explorer vs Telluride
The Ford Explorer is a storied name in sport utilities, reintroduced for this generation in 2011 and seeing a few updates in 2016. It's a bit aged in design compared to others in this segment and is the least likely to give the Telluride trouble in our matchup.
Highlander vs Telluride
The Toyota Highlander is another best-seller in the three-row crossover segment. It is a popular choice but falls short now with a dated interior design, small third row, and lack of cargo space compared to rivals like the new Kia Telluride.
A breakdown of the significant specifications for each model is in order. As we compare, remember that Telluride is entering a segment of well-established competitors, but you'll note how clearly it beats them in almost every comparable.
2020 Kia Telluride | 2019 Honda Pilot | 2019 Ford Explorer | 2019 Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 3.8L V6 | 3.5L V6 | 2.3L or 3.0L turbo i4 of V6 | 3.5L V6 |
Transmission | 8-speed auto | 6- or 9-speed auto | 10-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
Engine Power | 291 hp, 262 lb-ft | 280 hp, 262 lb-ft | 300 or 365 hp, 310 or 380 lb-ft | 295 hp, 263 lb-ft |
Length & Wheelbase | 5,001 & 2,901mm | 4,940 & 2,819mm | 5,049 & 3,025mm | 4,889 & 2,789mm |
2nd Row Headroom | 1,021mm | 1,021mm | 1,029mm | 1,013mm |
3rd Row Headroom | 968mm | 988mm | 988mm | 912mm |
2nd Row Legroom | 1,077mm | 975mm | 991mm | 975mm |
3rd Row Legroom | 798mm | 810mm | 818mm | 704mm |
Cargo Volume (all seats in use) | 595 liters | 467 liters | 515 liters | 391 liters |
Cargo Volume (all seats down) | 2,464 liters | 2,464 liters | 2,464 liters | 2,464 liters |
What Makes the 2020 Telluride Superior
All four options are offered in either two-wheel or all-wheel drive and all can tow up to 5,000 pounds when equipped. Most are also comparable in fuel economy and seating capacity, with arrangements for 7 or 8 passengers.
As the above chart shows, the 2020 Kia Telluride doesn't lead the pack in every metric, but it stays competitive in all of them and beats the competition on several key fronts. It has more usable cargo space behind the third row, for example, than do any of the others. The Telluride also has a very comparable headroom and legroom in comparison and a powerful engine and excellent transmission.
The Telluride will come with the 2020 model year and will be the largest SUV offered by Kia. The 2020 Kia Telluride is very comparable to the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer in dimensions for curb parking or garaging, but has larger interior metrics (as shown above) for more usefulness in day-to-day living. The Telluride is also adventure-ready with its higher ground clearance, better off-road capability, and more action-oriented personality.
The 2020 Kia Telluride will be offered in four trim levels, starting with the LX and moving through the S, EX, and SX. Standard equipment will include 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, advanced safety technologies, simulated leather upholstery, and split-fold second and third-row seating for multiple cargo and passenger options. The 2020 Telluride will be priced competitively with the others in its market and things like roof rails, 20-inch wheels, and much more will be standard equipment in trims above the base level.
Kia Telluride in Calgary
With the all-new 2020 Kia Telluride, we know that demand will be high as buyers look to this latest offering from Kia. Come into South Trail Kia to see a Telluride in Calgary now.