Which is Better: Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, or Toyota Grand Highlander? Parents Asked So We Answered
The Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Grand Highlander are popular 3 row SUVs with unique advantages to consider.
If there’s the one question we get literally all the time, it’s this: Which are our favorite 3 row SUVs?
And, it’s the hardest to answer without more information: For how many passengers? How old are they? Do you have kids in car seats? How much cargo do you have for the daily routine? Will you road trip in this SUV? Does fuel economy matter to you? Who will drive it the most? And most importantly, which are you already considering?
It’s that last question that is really the jumping off point. And no matter what else is on the list, is seems, the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander are invariably under consideration. So we asked our writers which of these great family-friendly options checks off the most boxes on their lists.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
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Why 3 Row SUVs Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander are So Popular
They each have three rows of seating for up to seven or eight passengers, a roomy 3rd row, the option of convenient and elegant second row captain’s chairs and top-shelf amenities like a panoramic sunroof, premium sound and leather upholstery. From there, though, the 2026 Kia Telluride, 2026 Honda Pilot, and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander each take on a different character with options like hybrid fuel economy, off-road capability and customizable seating.
This can make deciding between these stellar 3 row SUVs a bit difficult. Lucky for you, dear reader, our writers has spent time with each of them, getting to know them on a much deeper level while taking their kids to school, the dog to the park and on occasion, loading the entire family in for a road trip.
From the towing capacity, passenger space, and amenities, we know what makes a difference. Here is what you need to know if these are on your shopping list.
Up First: The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Stands Out With Efficiency
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander runs for between about $41,860 to $55,045. With the gas-powered model, you get a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 265 HP and 310 lb-ft of torque. It gets about 21 MPG in the city and up to 28 MPG on the highway. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid costs between $45,210 and $52,120 and there are two hybrid options: A true hybrid that gets 34 MPG and generates 245 HP; and a Hybrid Max that generates 362 HP and gets about 26 MPG. The first is all about fuel economy; the second, though, delivers a powerful and fun drive experience and is ideal for boat-towing, road-tripping family.
The Grand Highlander can tow up to 5,000 lbs, though the true hybrid model will only pull up to 3,500 lbs. thanks to the reduced power. The Grand Highlander provides 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 3rd row, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 97.5 cubic feet overall. Also, it has the largest 3rd row in the class, with the ability to comfortably fit adults.
Writer, Kristen Brown explains, “there’s more space than I knew what to do with. The model I drove had two captain’s chairs in the second row (I’d opt for the bench seat to add an extra passenger), and the legroom they offered was surprising. Even when I installed my toddlers’ car seats, there was still a plethora of floor space–perfect for a purse, lunch box for road trips, water bottle, filming gear, a diaper bag–you name it”
A Long List of Standard Features Set The Toyota Grand Highlander Apart
Standard features include a power liftgate, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, blind-spot warning, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The interior design feels upscale with lots of storage spaces and each row is comfortable for longer trips. Buyers who don’t like cloth seats will find leatherette starts at the next to entry-level trim and upper trims are finished with leather seating.
However, the Toyota Grand Highlander doesn’t yet have an off-road trim (can it be too far away?), leaving its rivals to feel a little more athletic. Also, Toyota left some of the higher-end details to the Lexus TX, the Grand Highlander’s luxury doppelgänger, so for true luxury, Lexus may be the way to go for buyers who love this SUV but wish it offered just a little more.
The 2026 Honda Pilot Is Ready For Anything
You can get started with the 2026 Honda Pilot for about $42,395 and it tops out at about $56,495. There’s no hybrid engine available; it’s powered by a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 285 HP and 262 pound-feet of torque. It gets an EPA-estimated 19 MPG in the city and up to 27 MPG on the highway.
The standout feature in the Pilot is its removable middle seat in the second row that can be stored under the trunk floor. This feature, which is only available in the EX-L, Touring and Black Edition trims, allows you to switch between a bench seat and captain’s chairs in the blink of an eye.
Kristen said “my favorite feature was the removable middle seat. With most of the Pilot’s competitors, you have to choose between a bench seat or two captain’s chairs. With the Pilot, you can have both. “Plus, you can access up to 18.6 cubic feet behind the 3d row, 45.8 cubes behind the second row, and up to 113.7 cubic feet overall.
The Honda Pilot Is Loved for It’s Reliably Roomy, Space and Function
The Honda Pilot has been a favorite of families since its debut 24 years ago. All that space, plus its 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, provides a lot of space for people and their stuff. Also, there are tons of cubbies and storage trays for organization. However, the 3rd row might be a little cramped for adults, so save that space for your shortest passengers. Upgrade to the TrailSport for light off-roading; its all terrain tires, extra ground clearance and off-road tuned suspension.
While the Honda Pilot is comfortable and engaging to drive, the interior is designed go be more resilient than plush, which might be preferred if you face a lot of dirt and debris on the daily. It has a lot of standard features to consider, like heated front seats, remote start, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, ambient interior lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, blind-spot warning, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Could the 2027 Kia Telluride Be the Best of Both Worlds?
Note: The Kia Telluride skipped the 2026 model year.
The newest of these popular 3 row SUVs is the recently redesigned Kia Telluride SUVs. It rings in at $39,190 to $56,453 and is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 274 HP and 311 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride gets an EPA-estimated 20 MPG in the city and up to 26 MPG on the highway. Best of all, there are off-road X-Pro and hybrid trims so buyers can pick the power and MPG they want. The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid starts at $46,490 and runs to $57,590 delivering with 329 HP. It gets about 34 MPG in the city and up to 36 MPG on the highway. The X-Pro is not available in the hybrid powertrain, though, so still, there are decisions to be made.
The Telluride can tow up to 5,500 lbs. had has a roomy 21.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 3rd row, 46.0 behind the second row, and up to 87.0 cubic feet total with the seats folded flat. Kia prioritized open space rather than lots of cubbies, though there’s a storage bin for the center row that pulls out from the center console, and a cargo net that can be used to stow things. For taller passengers, the front or center rows are a better choice; the 3rd row is best suited for shorter people.
Off-Road Trims Let the Kia Telluride Do All the Work For you
The X-Pro and X-Line trims are off-roading oriented trims that are rough and tumble, with 9.1 inches of ground clearance. Scotty Reiss put it to the test, finding “the extra ground clearance, which sits at 9.1”, to be a huge advantage for driving faster on the trail than you might usually—and for driving through water, which I also did. And I found the all-wheel drive system to perfectly grab and hold muddy hillsides; I never slid at all.”
But don’t let its rugged capability fool you. The Telluride is quite comfortable with a smooth ride quality, quiet interior, and luxury refinements such as Nappa leather upholstery, wooden accents, and real metal accents on the higher trims.
Standard features to brag about against other 3 row SUVs include dual wireless phone chargers, a wide flat media panel with a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot warning, forward collision mitigation, LED headlights, and tri-zone automatic climate control.
Now, does that settle it for you?
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