[Ruturaj]

I haven't got a chance to test drive pilot yet but I don't think I would be able to compare spaces visually that are visually close. From what I found

Telluride
Cargo Volume (SAE): behind 1st row / behind 2nd row / behind 3rd row
87/46/21 cu. ft.

Pilot Sport
Cargo Volume (behind 1st-row) 87.0 cu ft / 111.8 cu ft
Cargo Volume (behind 2nd-row) 48.5 cu ft* / 59.5 cu ft*
Cargo Volume (behind 3rd-row) 18.6 cu ft* / 21.8 cu ft*

Pilot Touring
Cargo Volume (behind 1st-row) 87.0 cu ft* / 112.4 cu ft*
Cargo Volume (behind 2nd-row) 48.5 cu / 60.1 cu ft
Cargo Volume (behind 3rd-row) 18.6 cu ft / 22.4 cu ft

Seems like SAE J1100 standard plus measures volume under the lid of storage well which just SAE doesn't. Based on the number didn't change between sport and touring trim for former but did for later. So I think Pilot might have advantage if you want to use that space.
From numbers it seems like combined leg space is 1 inch lesser in Pilot than Telluride. I think Pilot is making up for space difference in interior height.

Embargo is lifting tomorrow, watching review from journalist might be helpful or taking measuring tape to dealership.

 

[Ruturaj]

The SAE J1100 definition does not explain for the massive difference between the cargo volumes behind the 2nd and 1st rows, in the case of behind the 1st row, about 25 cu ft, they must be counting all the nooks and cranny in the car including cup holders and under the seats!

At the end of the day, the Pilot realistically increased about 2.0 Cu Ft in cargo volume behind the 3rd row seat (to 18.6 cu ft), the numbers are the same for the 1st row and second row as in the 2022 model., it still lags the segment leaders Telluride/Atlas/Traverse.

Definitely pilot has grown. Combined leg space increased by 3.1 inches. Second row did get most of the increment (2.4 inches). I am pretty sure it is still behind telluride but I don't think by much once you consider the extra volume in hidden storage well under the lid, otherwise it would suffer (especially if you store middle seat).

 

[Ruturaj]

The Telluride has lots of storage place in the storage well, I am not certain that the Pilot has more; in fact I'd argue that the Telluride may have more usable space because in the Pilot Touring, for example,, it is compartmentalized into 3 portons. We'll see what the reviewers say once the embargo lifts tomorrow.

I thought those partitions were removable.

What I don't understand is Pilot gets less combined leg space (by an inch), and less cargo volume behind third row then how it has same cargo volume (87 cu. ft.) behind 1st row as telluride.

 

[Ruturaj]

Sorry - what embargo?

Auto journalist who got press vehicle have embargo till tomorrow. Whatever review out there from journalist doesn't include driving impressions or actual numbers but there would be new ones coming out tomorrow. Most review you see are done on production cars. And you can blame Honda for this dumbness.

 

[Ruturaj]

I am shopping between the Telluride and the Pilot and the rear cargo space matters a lot to me since we camp a lot and we'll need all three rows occupied. The lack of rear cargo space has already eliminated the Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, and the Mazda CX-9 from our search.

This is how Honda defines the rear cargo space:
"Based on SAE J1100 cargo volume measurement standard:" 18.6 cu ft
"Based on SAE J1100 cargo volume measurement standard plus, where applicable, floor space between seating rows and seats in their forward-most and upright position:" 22.4 cu ft

Huh??? What does that even mean?

This is how Kia defines the rear cargo space:
Cargo Volume (SAE) behind 3rd row: 21 cu. ft.

Since the 3rd row seats don't move forward, I don't see how they get from 18.6 all the way to 22.4, which is a huge difference. If they are counting the space underneath the lid, well the Kia also has a lot of storage underneath as well.

To finalize, I think the best way to compare the two is to say the 23 Honda Pilot has SAE 18.6ft of rear cargo space compared to the 23 Kia Telluride's SAE 21 cu. ft of cargo space. Both have extra room below the storage lid, but not enough of a difference to argue against the Telluride having significantly more storage.

Iirc the difference between numbers comes from 2 things, as you said space under storage lid and some more from adjusting 3rd seat angle to 90 degrees.