Prestige Auto - 2025 Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot: Which Three-Row SUV Handles Winter Roads Better for Families near Chippewa Falls, WI?
Families weighing two stalwarts of the segment often ask a simple question: which three-row SUV handles winter roads better—Telluride or Pilot? The answer starts with traction technology, visibility, and driver assistance that support confidence when conditions are unpredictable. While both SUVs offer robust AWD systems and helpful assistance suites, the Telluride’s available center-locking AWD differential, Snow Mode, and thoughtful features throughout the cabin give it an edge for mixed city-highway driving and weekend travel.
On snow-covered side streets and slushy highways, the Telluride’s available torque-vectoring AWD with a center-locking differential helps manage power distribution to maintain traction when the surface changes mid-corner. Pair that with available Highway Driving Assist 2, which can assist with lane changes, and Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go that can adapt to changing speed limits and upcoming curves, and you get a rare combination of stability and ease. The Pilot’s i-VTM4 AWD is capable, especially in trims with Trail mode, and TrailWatch™ brings helpful camera perspectives off-pavement; however, the lack of a locking center differential and certain convenience technologies is noticeable in icy, stop-and-go suburban traffic.
For winter daily driving, these Telluride advantages stand out:
- All-weather traction foundation: Available center-locking AWD differential and Snow Mode provide consistent traction when surfaces change rapidly.
- Confident maneuvering: Optional 360° Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor aid parking and lane changes when snowbanks limit sightlines.
- Cold-weather comfort: Available heated and ventilated 2nd-row seats and a heated steering wheel keep everyone comfortable on long, cold commutes.
- Clear information: Available 10-inch Head-Up Display projects key data so your eyes stay focused on the road.
- Smart towing support: Tow Mode with trailer stability assist and self-leveling rear suspension help when pulling a snowmobile trailer.
Visibility is another winter must. The Telluride’s available Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror uses a dedicated camera to maintain a clear rear view even when the cargo area is full of sports gear or winter supplies. It complements the available 12.3-inch Dual Panoramic Displays with navigation, presenting information cleanly without clutter. The Pilot counters with a tidy interface and, on select trims, a Head-Up Display and multi-view camera system; for many families, though, the Kia’s camera-based rearview mirror and camera-in-cluster blind-spot view create a more reassuring cockpit during snowstorms and after dark.
Connectivity helps winter mornings go smoother. The Telluride’s Digital Key 2.0 allows virtual sharing through the Kia Access app, making handoffs seamless during busy weeks. Standard USB-C ports in all three rows keep devices charged so navigation and messaging are always at the ready, and available Harman Kardon® audio makes even short commutes feel refined. The Pilot offers strong fundamentals, including wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ on EX-L and above and a Bose premium sound system on Touring and higher, but the Kia’s blend of convenience and safety-oriented displays resonates when conditions demand extra focus.
Ultimately, both SUVs can handle Wisconsin winters, but the Telluride’s traction strategy, camera-based visibility, and thoughtful cabin technology make it a winter-savvy pick for family life across suburbs and highway corridors. If you want help deciding which features match your routine—carpool mornings, weekend ski runs, or towing a small trailer—our team can map recommendations to your specific use case in a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need the Telluride’s available AWD for winter driving or is FWD enough?
Front-wheel drive with quality winter tires can be sufficient for many drivers. If you regularly face unplowed roads, steep driveways, or frequent ice, the Telluride’s available AWD with a center-locking differential and Snow Mode offers extra traction reserves and confidence.
How do the driver-assistance features help in snow and ice?
Systems such as Highway Driving Assist 2, Lane Keeping Assist, and Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go reduce workload on long drives while maintaining helpful buffers. Features like the 360° Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor improve awareness when visibility is compromised.
From technology demos to AWD test loops, Prestige Auto makes it simple to compare the two and choose smartly, serving Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and La Crosse with tailored guidance and hands-on evaluations.