2026 Honda Pilot Review
2026 Honda Pilot
The 2026 Pilot midsize SUV is Honda's flagship. It has a high reputation for being family-friendly, versatile, technological, and reliable. The 2026 model comes with a more aggressive look and has upgraded materials inside.
Continue reading for more about the design, performance, features, and value.
Exterior Design & Style
The Honda Pilot includes refreshed styling and some notable design changes for the 2026 model year. This Pilot has a more rugged, boxy exterior, slimmer LED headlights, and a new grille. The base Sport trim comes with 18-inch wheels and roof rails, while the EX-L adds a power liftgate.
The TrailSport offers a more sporty look with all-terrain tires, orange accents, underbody skid plates, and more ground clearance. The Touring and Elite have more refined styles. The Black Edition includes 20-inch wheels, a blacked-out exterior, and red ambient lighting for a sporty look.
Honda Pilot Optional Cargo Accessories
Performance & Capability
The 2026 Pilot's 3.5L V6 engine produces 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It uses a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and the TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition trims have standard all-wheel drive. A 2.0L hybrid motor that gives 320 horsepower is also available.
This SUV can pull up to 5,000 pounds. It has a smooth, comfortable ride, responsive steering, and quick stops. The engine is relatively quiet, but you may notice some sounds while you accelerate.
The Pilot includes Normal, ECON, Sport, Tow, Snow, and Sand driving modes. With the TrailSport, you'll get a Trail mode and better off-road capabilities than many competitors.
Interior Comfort & Space
The Pilot has three rows of seats and up to 87 cubic feet of cargo space with the back rows folded. It can carry up to eight people, and it uses premium materials. The seats are comfortable, and second-row captain's chairs are optional.
Large doors make getting in and out and loading and unloading cargo easy. There's a space for small items like sunglasses between the front seats, and you can stow the second-row center seat in a storage area under the floor. The Pilot's big cupholders can hold 32-ounce water bottles. You'll get climate control vents for every row and noise insulation.
Technology & Infotainment
The Pilot has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 13.2-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital driver display. Convenient buttons make operating the touchscreen easier. With the 2025 model, a 7-inch touchscreen was standard, and a 9-inch screen was optional. The 2026 Pilot has an upgraded Honda Sensing 360 safety suite that includes front cross-traffic alert. Packages offer either a 9-speaker or 12-speaker stereo system.
A wireless charging pad and USB ports for all rows are standard with trims above the Sport. You can add navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a universal garage door opener as well.
2026 Honda Pilot Interior
Pricing, Trims & Value
The starting MSRP will be around $40,000 to $41,000, and premium trim levels have MSRPs of about $56,000. You can choose Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, or Black Edition trims.
The 2026 Pilot is an ideal choice for families and adventure seekers. Compared to other midsize SUVs, it's a great value. It has a modern style, and you can explore tough trails or take a long trip with kids while enjoying luxury features.
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