What is the best year for a Honda Pilot?

Avoid 2016 (1,644 complaints — the third-generation debut, plagued by 9-speed transmission issues) and 2019 (843 complaints at the fourth-generation launch). The 2024 Pilot (93 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) is the strongest recent used pick. The 2022-2024 range has settled significantly from the turbulent 2016-2021 period.

How much does Honda Pilot insurance cost?

Pilot insurance averages about $2,147/year — roughly $179/month. The most affordable insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pilot. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete side-by-side, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds the edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Pilot?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the three-row segment, meaning owners statistically average more than one unscheduled repair visit per year. For 2016-2021 models with documented complaint spikes, extended warranty is worth considering to contain those visit costs. For 2022 and newer, the profile is more moderate.

Is the Kia Telluride expensive to maintain?

The Kia Telluride averages $573 a year in maintenance. That is in line with the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.37 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

What is the best year for a Kia Telluride?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Kia Telluride's strongest year is 2025 — 95 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 3 severe issues. 2023 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2020 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2025 is the strongest pick.

How much does Kia Telluride insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Kia Telluride averages $2,695 a year, about $225 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $573 a year on the Kia Telluride versus $573 on the Hyundai Palisade. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.37 versus 0.37 times per year. Verdict: the Kia Telluride is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Telluride?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda Pilot to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Kia Telluride if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda Pilot	Kia Telluride
Annual repairs	$542winner	$573
5-year repair cost	$2,710winner	$2,865
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$8,519winner	$19,824
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	13%
Cargo space	111.8 cu ftwinner	89.3 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$45,400	$40,700winner

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda Pilot	Kia Telluride
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	307winner	309.7
Strongest years	2013, 2014, 2015	2023, 2025
Weakest years	2010, 2011, 2012	2020
Value retained · 3 yr	74.5%	79.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	55.9%winner	53.9%
Value retained · 7 yr	46%winner	40.7%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda Pilot	Kia Telluride
Engine	37.5%	19.3%winner
Electrical	14.6%	8.8%winner
ADAS	11.7%	7.9%winner
Brakes	3.8%	2.0%winner
Suspension	—winner	3.1%
Steering	1.7%	—winner
Fuel system	7.6%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	—winner
Glass/Windows	2.4%winner	20.6%
Airbags	3.5%	—winner
Lighting	—winner	9.6%
Seatbelt	—winner	1.4%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Honda Pilot	Kia Telluride
Avg annual premium	$2,147winner	$2,695

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Kia Telluride

$573/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Pilot costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40% — the highest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at the class average. Below-average cost but the most frequent unscheduled shop visits in the class.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →