Most three-row SUVs aim to be everything for everyone, but the 2026 Honda Pilot remains focused on what families really need: space, comfort, and tech that makes daily life easier.
This latest update sharpens the styling, upgrades the screens, and adds more standard features, all while keeping the familiar V6 and available all-wheel drive (AWD) system for buyers seeking a reliable, no-nonsense family vehicle.
Honda positions the Pilot as its family-oriented crossover SUV and offers an off-road version. The lineup includes Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition trim levels. All 2026 Pilot SUVs seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the configuration, and all prioritize simplicity over flashiness.
Honda did not reinvent the 2026 Pilot’s look, but the front end features more plastic cladding and a squarer design. The grille is slightly larger and has a new design, available in black or dark gray with the TrailSport trim. Just below, there is a large silver (or black, depending on the trim) scuff plate that seems more like a design element than a practical feature. While Honda mentions new changes to the rear, they are hard to notice.
A power liftgate and roof rails are now standard across the lineup. New colors include Solar Silver Metallic and Smoke Blue Pearl. TrailSport models replace the prior year's Diffused Sky Blue with Ash Green metallic, a color also found on Passport, CR-V, and Ridgeline models with the same trim level.
Wheel designs vary by trim, with Touring and Elite versions riding on new 20-inch wheels. The Black Edition features Berlina Black accents on the same-sized wheels with matching lug nuts.
Inside, the updates enhance an already well-designed cabin. The dashboard layout remains familiar, with a small cubby above the glovebox, physical knobs and buttons for audio and climate controls, and a push-start button.
The most notable addition is a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (37 percent bigger, according to Honda). The standard digital gauge cluster also increases to 10.2 inches, up from the modest 7-inch display in the previous model. The increase in screen size is a necessary change. Display space is starting to separate the top-tier devices from the lower-end ones, and with this upgrade, the Pilot finally feels like it belongs in the top group.
Material quality varies by trim level. The EX-L and higher trims feature leather upholstery. The Touring adds contrasting seat accents and an optional dark brown leather. The Elite and Black Edition trims offer a quilted suede design at the top of the seats and upgraded door panel stitching.
Cargo space remains a strength for the Pilot. The previous model provided up to 59.5 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 112 cubic feet with both rows folded flat, depending on the trim. Although Honda has not yet released updated cargo figures for 2026, with no structural changes to the body, shoppers should expect similar numbers.
Honda claims that adding insulation to the doors and hood, along with semi-tempered glass, reduces wind noise inside the cabin by a few decibels. According to the automaker, enclosed fender liners make the Touring and Elite trims even quieter.
Mechanically, the 2026 Pilot’s setup remains familiar. Honda continues with the 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Notably, a hybrid option still is not available.
Lower trims come with standard front-wheel drive, while Honda’s AWD system is available across the lineup and standard on the TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. Pilots with AWD feature Honda’s i-VTM4 torque vectoring system, which actively distributes power not only between the axles, but also between the left and right rear wheels.
Drive modes stay familiar: Normal, Econ, Snow, Sport, and Tow. A hill descent control system is standard, and Sand and Trail modes are available on select Pilot SUVs. Additionally, Honda retuned the Pilot’s electric power steering system.
The TrailSport trim adds a heated second row and keeps its steel skid plates and raised, off-road suspension. The 2025 model offered a 19.8-degree approach angle and a 19-degree departure angle, and with minimal updates to the body, those figures should stay the same.
Honda equips every 2026 Pilot with the Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite, which includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. A new post-collision braking system is added, which applies the brakes after an initial impact to help prevent secondary collisions.
The 2026 refresh also gives some love to tech features. Along with the upgraded infotainment screen and digital gauge cluster, 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available across the lineup. The standard display, with Google Built-in, features a new interface designed to be easier to navigate, with fewer submenus to click in and out of, and customizable shortcuts pinned to the left side of the screen.
The Touring trim adds a 360-degree surround view camera, previously available only on TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition versions.
The 2026 Honda Pilot rivals the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander. Several of these SUVs now feature hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains, a path Honda has not pursued with the Pilot yet. If efficiency ranks highly on your priority list, this is a significant difference to consider. Still, the Pilot’s space, comfort, and Honda’s reputation for quality keep it firmly in the running.
Honda is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of November 18, 2025, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Zac Johnson is a lifelong car enthusiast pursuing his dream of becoming an automotive journalist. He is a social media manager, contributor to JDPower.com and Capital One Auto Navigator, a member of the Automotive Press Association, and founder of Best Daily Drivers.
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