Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade vs. Honda Pilot: Choosing the Right 3-Row SUV
Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade vs. Honda Pilot: Choosing the Right 3-Row SUV in Irvine, CA
The moment you know you picked the right SUV is not on the test drive. It is three months later, when you fold the third row without thinking, toss in four bags of groceries, and still make it to soccer practice at Lake Forest Sports Park on time. That effortless feeling is what you are actually shopping for.
The Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Honda Pilot all promise that feeling. All three deliver it, just in slightly different ways. The details below will help you figure out which version of “effortless” matches your family’s actual week in Orange County.
One advantage you have as an Irvine buyer: Irvine Auto Center keeps all three on the same campus off the I-5 at Auto Center Drive. You can sit in each one back to back instead of driving across three zip codes to compare.
How the Telluride, Palisade, and Pilot Compare at a Glance in Irvine, CA
Before diving into details, here is a side-by-side snapshot of the specs that matter most to families around the Irvine Spectrum, Woodbridge, and Northwood neighborhoods.
Fun fact: the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade share the same underlying platform, but each brand tunes suspension, steering, and cabin acoustics separately. They drive like cousins, not twins.
| Spec | Kia Telluride | Hyundai Palisade | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8L V6, 291 hp | 3.8L V6, 291 hp | 3.5L V6, 285 hp |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 10-speed auto |
| Fuel Economy (FWD combined) | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 22 mpg |
| Seating Capacity | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Cargo Behind 3rd Row | 21 cu ft | 18 cu ft | 18.6 cu ft |
| Max Cargo (rows folded) | 87 cu ft | 86.4 cu ft | 87 cu ft |
| Max Towing (AWD, equipped) | 5,000 lbs (5,500 X-Pro) | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Hybrid Available | No (2025) | Yes (Palisade Hybrid) | No (2025) |
That table settles most of the spec-sheet debates. The numbers are remarkably close, which means the real decision comes down to how each SUV fits your specific routine. Browse the current Kia Telluride inventory to see which trims are on the lot right now.
Third-Row Space and Daily Driving Through Orange County
This is where families make their final call. All three seat up to eight, but the third-row experience is not identical.
The Telluride offers roughly 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row with all seats up. The Palisade provides 18 cubic feet, and the Pilot falls in between at 18.6. Those three extra cubic feet in the Telluride translate to fitting one more sports bag behind the back seat, something that matters when you are hauling soccer and lacrosse gear after practice at Lake Forest Sports Park.
Third-row legroom tells a similar story. The Telluride and Palisade, built on that shared platform, offer more room for adult passengers behind the second row than the Pilot does. The Pilot responds with a slightly wider second row and an available fold-flat second-row bench that creates a nearly flat cargo floor.
If two adults regularly sit in your third row for weekend trips to Lake Mission Viejo or the Irvine Great Park, the Telluride and Palisade will keep complaints to a minimum.
Here is something most comparisons overlook: the Honda Pilot is the largest SUV Honda has ever built. It may trail slightly in third-row legroom, but its overall passenger volume across all three rows remains highly competitive. Your family’s real test is sitting in each one, which is something you can do in the same afternoon at Irvine Auto Center.
For daily driving on the I-405 and I-5 corridors through Irvine, fuel economy across all three lands within a single mpg of each other at the combined rating. The Pilot’s 10-speed transmission offers slightly smoother gear changes in stop-and-go traffic. The Telluride and Palisade’s 8-speed units feel more direct during highway merges along the 73 Toll Road toward Mission Viejo.
Technology and Family-Friendly Features: A Side-by-Side Look
Irvine is home to major tech employers, and buyers here tend to care about what is behind the dashboard. Each SUV takes a different approach.
The Telluride and Palisade both offer a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Pilot starts with a 7-inch screen on the base Sport trim, stepping up to a 9-inch screen on the EX-L and above.
Fun fact: the Honda Pilot’s CabinTalk® system lets the driver’s voice play through the rear speakers, so you can talk to third-row passengers without raising your voice. Parents navigating the after-school pickup line at Northwood Elementary appreciate that one.
| Feature | Kia Telluride | Hyundai Palisade | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Touchscreen | 12.3 inches | 12.3 inches | 7 inches (9-inch from EX-L) |
| Premium Audio | Harman Kardon® | Harman Kardon | Bose® 12-speaker |
| In-Car PA System | Driver Talk | Passenger Talk | CabinTalk |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Available (EX-L and up) |
| Unique Family Feature | Rear Passenger View Monitor | Digital Key, Remote Smart Parking Assist | CabinWatch® rear camera |
All three deliver strong tech for the segment. The Telluride and Palisade lead in standard screen size. The Honda Pilot’s Bose audio and CabinWatch system offer a different kind of family-focused value, especially for parents who want to visually monitor the back seat through an infrared camera feed on the dashboard.
Towing Capacity and Weekend Capability for OC Families
All three SUVs tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped with all-wheel drive and the appropriate tow package. That is enough for jet skis, a small boat, or a pop-up camper.
The Kia Telluride’s X-Pro trims push that figure to 5,500 pounds, the only one of the three to exceed 5,000. If you regularly tow heavier recreational equipment, that extra capacity provides a margin of safety.
The Honda Pilot’s TrailSport trim adds a different edge. It comes with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a lifted suspension tuned for unpaved roads. For families who head toward mountain trails on weekends, that off-road credibility stands out.
Here are additional factors that influence long-term satisfaction with any of these three SUVs:
- All three earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating, which places them among the top-rated vehicles in the midsize SUV segment
- The Telluride earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for 2025, the institute’s highest recognition
- The Hyundai Palisade is the only one of the three currently offering a hybrid powertrain option, a meaningful advantage for eco-conscious families commuting on University Drive and Jamboree Road through Irvine
- Honda Sensing® is standard across the entire Pilot lineup, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning
- Kia’s suite of driver-assistance features includes Highway Driving Assist 2, a semi-autonomous system available on higher trims
The Palisade Hybrid is worth a closer look if you want a 3-row SUV that can handle the daily Rancho Santa Margarita-to-Irvine commute along Antonio Parkway and the I-5 while using less fuel than any gas-only competitor in this comparison.
The Telluride was named after Telluride, Colorado, which reflects the adventure-oriented design philosophy Kia built into the vehicle from the start. That rugged character shows in the X-Pro and X-Line trims, which add increased ground clearance and off-road tuning.
Common Questions About 3-Row SUVs in Irvine, CA
Other 3-Row SUVs You Can Compare at Irvine Auto Center
If none of the big three fits perfectly, you still have options without leaving the campus.
The Nissan Pathfinder tows up to 6,000 pounds, the highest figure in the midsize segment. The Volkswagen Atlas offers one of the largest interiors in the class. The Mazda CX-90 delivers a driving experience and interior that rival many luxury brands. The Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer round out the selection. All are available right here at Irvine Auto Center’s dealership campus.
Schedule Back-to-Back Test Drives at Irvine Auto Center
You have seen the specs. You have read the comparisons. The only thing left is sitting in all three, adjusting the mirrors, folding the third row, and loading your family’s actual gear into the cargo area.
Whether your week involves school drop-offs along El Toro Road in Lake Forest, commutes through the I-5/I-405 interchange, or Saturday mornings at The Shops at Mission Viejo, all three of these SUVs will serve you well. The right one is the one that feels right when you drive it home.
Walk across the lot and compare the Telluride, Palisade, and Pilot on the same afternoon. Bring the kids. Bring the stroller. Bring the sports equipment. That real-world test is something no spec sheet can replace, and only a multi-brand auto center makes it possible. Get started with financing before you arrive so you can focus entirely on finding the right fit.