The Kia Telluride has taken the lead among three popular three-row crossovers in the U.S. after the first nine months of 2026, outselling both the Toyota Grand Highlander and Honda Pilot. The shift comes as automakers report third-quarter sales and the segment continues to evolve.
Kia Telluride Takes the Lead
The Kia Telluride has officially outsold the Toyota Grand Highlander and Honda Pilot through the first nine months of 2026. Kia sold 110,038 Tellurides through September, compared with 108,511 Grand Highlanders and 92,967 Pilots.
- Kia Telluride: 110,038 sales, up 19% from 92,498
- Toyota Grand Highlander: 108,511 sales, up 8.7% from 99,833
- Honda Pilot: 92,967 sales, down 1.7% from 94,607
At the same point in 2025, the Toyota Grand Highlander was ahead of its rivals. In 2026, however, the Telluride has moved into first place, with sales increasing 19%.
The Grand Highlander remains close behind, trailing the Kia by just 1,527 units. The Honda Pilot is the only one of the three models to record a decline in 2026, despite receiving a recent facelift. It is also the oldest vehicle among the three.
Toyota and Kia Sell More Three-Row Crossovers
Toyota sold another 42,950 examples of the older Highlander during the first three quarters of 2026. Kia also sells more three-row crossovers overall, with 77,205 Sorento units sold during the period.
Honda, meanwhile, does not offer another three-row crossover besides the Pilot.
Despite the strong results from all three models, each remains well behind the Ford Explorer, which continues to lead the country’s three-row crossover market. Ford sold 189,210 Explorers through September.
Why the New Kia Telluride Is Gaining Ground
The Telluride’s rise comes after Kia introduced a second-generation model with a more progressive design inside and out. The latest vehicle also brings changes aimed at improving its powertrain and overall package.
The 2027 Telluride comes standard with a turbocharged engine producing 274 horsepower. Buyers can also choose a hybrid producing 329 horsepower, with an EPA rating of up to 35 mpg combined.
Honda still does not offer a hybrid version of the Pilot, a factor that has accompanied the model’s decline in the segment.
Telluride Offers a Lower Starting Price
Despite being the newest of the three vehicles, the Telluride is the only one that starts below $40,000. A well-equipped mid-range Telluride can also cost roughly the same as a base Grand Highlander or Pilot.
The Kia combines a refined interior and composed ride with extensive technology designed to keep families entertained. The vehicle also avoids any major weaknesses in the areas highlighted by the comparison.
With the Telluride currently growing faster than its Japanese rivals, Kia could soon see the three-row crossover challenge the Ford Explorer on the U.S. sales charts.
