Honda Pilot vs Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Telluride
Real out-the-door prices, every trim, every spec, and an honest verdict on each.
Choose your shortlist
The verdict
Photo finish
The 2026 Kia Telluride edges ahead by just 0.4 points — inside our margin for calling it, so there's no clear winner on the numbers. Let your priorities pick: the cheapest, the most efficient, or the one owners rave about below.
2026 Kia Telluride
62.4
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
62
2026 Honda Pilot
52.8
How the winner is called: price up to 20 pts, fuel economy up to 15, owner evidence up to 15, editor verdict up to 12, driving impressions up to 10, power up to 8, seats up to 5, safety awards up to 5. A category only counts when every compared car has that data, the category leader always earns its full weight, and a winner is only declared when the lead is 8+ points. Computed live from stored specs and sourced owner quotes — no opinions.
The Scoreboard
No feelings, just receipts — each point below is computed straight from the spec sheet.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
$36,445 incl. destination — $1,200 less than the runner-up
2026 Kia Telluride
291 hp
The bottom line
Early points to the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2026 Kia Telluride. Start with the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe at $36,445 if the monthly payment decides, then read the spec sheet below — every point above comes straight from it.
Trim-Level Comparison
Pick a specific trim for each model to compare exact equipment and features side-by-side.
Trim Price (incl. dest.)
- Pilot$45,990
- Santa Fe$43,435
- Telluride$43,245
Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo)
- Pilot$911/mo
- Santa Fe$860/mo
- Telluride$856/mo
vs. Base Trim
- Pilot+$2,300
- Santa Fe+$6,990
- Telluride+$5,600
| Pilot EX-L | Santa Fe XRT | Telluride EX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim Price (incl. dest.) | $45,990 | $43,435 | $43,245 |
| Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo) | $911/mo | $860/mo | $856/mo |
| vs. Base Trim | +$2,300 | +$6,990 | +$5,600 |
10 of 10 features shown
PilotSanta FeTelluride
12.3-Inch HD Touchscreen
Included Not included Not included
Leather-Trimmed Interior
Included Not included Not included
Power Tailgate
Included Not included Not included
2.5L Turbocharged engine
Not included Included Not included
Standard 3rd row
Not included Included Not included
All-terrain tires
Not included Included Not included
4,500-lb towing capacity
Not included Included Not included
12.3-inch Touchscreen Display
Not included Not included Included
Leather Seat Trim
Not included Not included Included
Smart Power Tailgate
Not included Not included Included
| 12.3-Inch HD Touchscreen | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Leather-Trimmed Interior | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Power Tailgate | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 2.5L Turbocharged engine | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Standard 3rd row | Not included | Included | Not included |
| All-terrain tires | Not included | Included | Not included |
| 4,500-lb towing capacity | Not included | Included | Not included |
| 12.3-inch Touchscreen Display | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Leather Seat Trim | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Smart Power Tailgate | Not included | Not included | Included |
Feature lists reflect cumulative standard equipment for each trim, a trim includes everything from lower trims plus its own additions. The monthly figure is the trim price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup with $0 down, an estimate for financing through the brand's own financial company. That markup is profit on a cost-plus sale, not the Loan Excess, because the financier owns the car it sells. The 7% is an assumption for illustration, not a rate anyone is quoted.
Full Spec Sheet
Every detail side by side: pricing, power, efficiency, seating, where each car is built, safety recognition, and the honest verdict on each.
Pricing & Financing
Base MSRP
- Pilot$42,195
- Santa Fe$35,050
- Telluride$36,190
Est. dealer invoice
- Pilot$38,819
- Santa Fe$32,246
- Telluride$33,295
Destination fee
- Pilot$1,495
- Santa Fe$1,395
- Telluride$1,455
Total base price (incl. dest.)
- Pilot$43,690
- Santa Fe$36,445
- Telluride$37,645
Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo)
- Pilot$865/mo
- Santa Fe$722/mo
- Telluride$745/mo
Trims offered
- Pilot3 (from $42,195)
- Santa Fe3 (from $35,050)
- Telluride2 (from $36,190)
Powertrain & Efficiency
Powertrain options
- Pilot3.5L V6
- Santa Fe2.5L Turbo, 1.6L Turbo Hybrid
- Telluride3.8L V6
Horsepower
- Pilot285 hp
- Santa Fe277 hp
- Telluride291 hp
Fuel economy
- Pilot19/27 city/hwy
- Santa Fe20/29 city/hwy
- Telluride20/26 city/hwy
Seating
- Pilot8 seats
- Santa Fe7 seats
- Telluride8 seats
Build & Safety
Body type
- PilotMid-Size SUV
- Santa FeMid-Size SUV
- TellurideMid-Size SUV
Assembly location
- PilotLincoln, AL, USA
- Santa FeWest Point, GA, USA
- TellurideWest Point, GA, USA
Safety awards & ratings
- PilotIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026)
- Santa FeIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026)
- TellurideIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2025)
Honest Verdict
Recommended trim
- PilotEX-L
- Santa FeXRT
- TellurideEX
Trim to skip
- PilotSport
- Santa FeSE
- TellurideLX
Key rivals
- PilotToyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade
- Santa FeKia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander
- TellurideHonda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Palisade
| |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Financing | |||
| Base MSRP | $42,195 | $35,050 | $36,190 |
| Est. dealer invoice | $38,819 | $32,246 | $33,295 |
| Destination fee | $1,495 | $1,395 | $1,455 |
| Total base price (incl. dest.) | $43,690 | $36,445 | $37,645 |
| Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo) | $865/mo | $722/mo | $745/mo |
| Trims offered | 3 (from $42,195) | 3 (from $35,050) | 2 (from $36,190) |
| Powertrain & Efficiency | |||
| Powertrain options | 3.5L V6 | 2.5L Turbo, 1.6L Turbo Hybrid | 3.8L V6 |
| Horsepower | 285 hp | 277 hp | 291 hp |
| Fuel economy | 19/27 city/hwy | 20/29 city/hwy | 20/26 city/hwy |
| Seating | 8 seats | 7 seats | 8 seats |
| Build & Safety | |||
| Body type | Mid-Size SUV | Mid-Size SUV | Mid-Size SUV |
| Assembly location | Lincoln, AL, USA | West Point, GA, USA | West Point, GA, USA |
| Safety awards & ratings | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2025) |
| Honest Verdict | |||
| Recommended trim | EX-L | XRT | EX |
| Trim to skip | Sport | SE | LX |
| Key rivals | Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade | Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander | Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Palisade |
Dealer invoice is an estimate from MSRP minus typical brand holdback and advertising fees when the exact figure isn't published. Monthly is the total base price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup, $0 down — an illustration for financing through the brand's own financial company, not a quoted rate.
Kia · Mid-Size SUV
2026 Kia Telluride
“Premium-feeling interior that rivals luxury brands”
See the full reviewPros & Cons at a Glance
Honest verdicts side by side to help you decide.
Honda Pilot
Mid-Size SUV
Pros
- Thoughtful, user-friendly interior layout
- Reliable and smooth V6 powertrain
- Generous 8-passenger seating capacity
Cons
- No hybrid option available for fuel-conscious buyers
- Infotainment interface is functional but lacks flair
Hyundai Santa Fe
Mid-Size SUV
Pros
- Bold and unique exterior styling
- Premium interior materials and clever storage
- Massive and functional rear tailgate opening
Cons
- Low-mounted rear turn signals
- Polarizing rear-end aesthetics
Kia Telluride
Mid-Size SUV
Pros
- Premium-feeling interior that rivals luxury brands
- Handsome, timeless exterior design
- Excellent value for the features provided
Cons
- No hybrid powertrain option currently available
- Large exterior dimensions require careful navigating
How They Drive
Real driving impressions: what each car does well and where it falls short.
Honda Pilot
Performance
- Smooth, linear power delivery from the 3.5L V6
- Predictable throttle response in city driving
- Lacks the low-end torque found in turbocharged rivals
- Fuel economy is mid-pack compared to hybrid alternatives
Handling
- Excellent highway stability with a planted feel
- Light, easy-to-maneuver steering for its size
- Noticeable body roll during spirited cornering
- Brake pedal feel can be slightly soft
Comfort
- Genuine adult-sized space in the third row
- Quiet cabin with well-suppressed wind noise
- Ride can feel slightly firm on the larger 20-inch wheels
- Entry to the third row still requires some agility
Hyundai Santa Fe
Performance
- Strong low-end torque from the 2.5L Turbo
- Quick and responsive dual-clutch transmission shifts
- Engine can sound coarse under heavy load
Handling
- Predictable and light steering for city maneuvers
- Excellent straight-line stability on the highway
- Noticeable body roll when cornering at speed
Comfort
- Superb sound insulation from road and wind noise
- High-quality 'Relaxation' front seats in top trims
- Third-row legroom is tight for tall adults
Kia Telluride
Performance
- Reliable and smooth 3.8L V6 engine
- Predictable, linear power delivery for highway merging
- Adequate 291 hp for a full load of 8 passengers
- Lacks the low-end torque of turbocharged competitors
- Fuel economy is average for the segment
Handling
- Composed and stable at highway speeds
- Light steering makes urban maneuvers easy
- Noticeable body roll during spirited cornering
- Large footprint can be challenging in tight parking garages
Comfort
- Exceptional cabin quietness with minimal wind noise
- Plush ride quality that filters out road imperfections
- Supportive seating even in the third row
- Third row can feel tight for taller adults on long trips
What Real Owners Say
No AI flattery — actual humans, actual threads, actual receipts. Every quote links to the forum or community it came from.
Honda · owner evidence
Pilot
High value compared to luxury alternatives
“Most reviews I've seen even say at the higher Pilot trim levels, the MDX isn't worth the $10k+ to "move up".”
Bob Is The Oil Guy forum ↗Improved ride quality and quietness
“Improved quietness, Improved steering feel and precision . The visibility is excellent, too. It felt comfortable and made me feel at ease.”
A Girl's Guide to Cars ↗Frustrating dealership add-ons
“Every time I get a solid deal on a 2026 Honda Pilot, they tack on some non-negotiable junk like electronic filing fees or a $1,000 “protection”
Reddit r/hondapilot ↗Hyundai · owner evidence
Santa Fe
Owner reviews for this one are still being gathered — check back soon.
Kia · owner evidence
Telluride
Owner reviews for this one are still being gathered — check back soon.
Quotes are real posts from public owner forums and communities, lightly edited for length and linked to the original discussion. They are individual experiences — they do not measure overall satisfaction, and yours may vary.
Straight Answers
The questions everyone asks about these three — answered from the numbers, not the brochure.
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