Three-Row Showdown: Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot vs. Mazda CX-90

Shopping for a three-row SUV usually means visiting three or four different dealerships across town.

Not at Triple J Guam. Because we carry Kia, Honda, and Mazda all under one roof, you can compare the redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride, the tech-upgraded 2026 Honda Pilot, and the near-luxury 2026 Mazda CX-90 in a single visit, with no sales pitch steering you toward whichever brand happens to be on the lot that day. Here is an honest, side-by-side look at how these three stack up.

Engine and Performance

• 2027 Kia Telluride: Kia dropped the long-serving V6 entirely for 2027 in favor of a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, an increase of nearly 50 lb-ft of torque over the outgoing engine. Paired with an 8-speed automatic, the turbo four-cylinder holds its power better at altitude than a naturally aspirated engine would. A Turbo Hybrid option adds an electric motor for a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque.
• 2026 Honda Pilot: Every Pilot trim runs the same proven 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The available i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system uses independently engaging rear clutch packs to help maintain traction when one wheel loses grip.
• 2026 Mazda CX-90: Standard gas models use a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid assist, producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Stepping up to the Turbo S trims raises output to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, making the CX-90 the most powerful of the three in its top configuration. A plug-in hybrid variant delivers 323 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque, and roughly 26 miles of electric-only range.

Takeaway: The CX-90 Turbo S has the most raw horsepower on tap, the Telluride’s new turbo engine delivers the biggest torque gain over its predecessor, and the Pilot’s naturally aspirated V6 remains the most familiar, proven setup of the group.

Fuel Economy

• 2027 Kia Telluride (gas): Combined fuel economy for the standard turbo four-cylinder comes in around 22 mpg combined. The Turbo Hybrid EX FWD trim reaches an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined, the best of any gas or hybrid three-row SUV in this comparison.
• 2026 Honda Pilot: EPA ratings come in at 20 city, 27 highway, and 22 combined mpg on front-wheel-drive trims, dropping to 21 combined on standard AWD trims and 20 combined on the TrailSport.
• 2026 Mazda CX-90: Gas Turbo and Turbo S models are both EPA-rated at 23 city, 28 highway, and 25 combined mpg. The PHEV rates at 56 MPGe combined thanks to its electric-only range.

Takeaway: If fuel economy matters most, the Telluride Turbo Hybrid is in a class of its own at 35 mpg combined. Among the gas-only options, the CX-90 edges out the Pilot slightly.

Interior Space and Cargo

• 2027 Kia Telluride: The redesigned second generation gained length and wheelbase, translating into class-leading second-row legroom and improved third-row access. Cargo space measures 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 89.3 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, the largest maximum cargo figure of the three.
• 2026 Honda Pilot: Standard trims offer 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to as much as 111.8 cubic feet on models equipped with the stowable second-row center seat, a clever Honda-exclusive feature that folds the middle seat flat for a van-like pass-through.
• 2026 Mazda CX-90: Cargo space runs from 14.9 to 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row depending on trim, and up to 74.2 to 75.2 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, the smallest maximum cargo capacity of the group, reflecting its more upscale, road-focused design priorities.

Takeaway: The Telluride offers the most usable cargo space out of the box, while the Pilot’s stowable second-row seat gives it flexibility no other vehicle here can match. The CX-90 trades outright cargo volume for a more refined, road-oriented character.

Technology

• 2027 Kia Telluride: Dual 12.3-inch displays span the dashboard for the instrument cluster and infotainment, paired with two wireless charging pads and an available 14-speaker Meridian premium sound system.
• 2026 Honda Pilot: For 2026, Honda finally upgraded every Pilot trim to a 12.3-inch touchscreen standard, a significant leap from the smaller 7-inch and 9-inch screens used in previous years, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• 2026 Mazda CX-90: Mazda continues to use a rotary dial-controlled infotainment system rather than a touchscreen while driving, a deliberate design choice meant to reduce distraction. Amazon Alexa integration is now standard, and an available Bose premium sound system rounds out the tech package.

Takeaway: The Telluride offers the most screen real estate, the Pilot made the biggest year-over-year tech leap, and the CX-90 stands apart with its rotary-controlled interface, which some drivers prefer and others find less intuitive than a touchscreen.

Towing Capacity

• 2027 Kia Telluride: Up to 5,000 pounds on gas models, 4,500 pounds on the Turbo Hybrid.
• 2026 Honda Pilot: Up to 5,000 pounds on AWD trims, 3,500 pounds on 2WD models.
• 2026 Mazda CX-90: Up to 5,000 pounds on most trims, though the Select, Preferred, and PHEV trims are limited to 3,500 pounds.

Takeaway: All three are evenly matched at their best-equipped configurations, with 5,000 pounds being the ceiling across the board.

Three-Row Comparison at a Glance

Which One Should You Choose?

• Choose the Kia Telluride if you want the newest design on the market, the best fuel economy of the group thanks to the available hybrid, and the lowest starting price.
• Choose the Honda Pilot if maximum cargo flexibility matters most to your family, thanks to the stowable second-row seat, and you value Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability.
• Choose the Mazda CX-90 if you want the most refined, near-luxury driving experience and the most horsepower available in the Turbo S trim, and you don’t mind trading some cargo space for a more upscale cabin.

See All Three, Side by Side, at Triple J Guam

The real advantage of shopping at Triple J Guam is that you don’t have to take our word for any of this. Visit our Ford Mazda Lincoln Volvo showroom and our Honda Acura Kia showroom, both right here in Tamuning, and get behind the wheel of the Telluride, Pilot, and CX-90 in the same afternoon. Check our current offers and incentives across all three brands before you visit, and let our team help you figure out which three-row SUV actually fits your family, without the pressure of a single-brand sales pitch.

Have questions? Contact our sales team and we will help you compare these three side by side.