The Household Hauler Will get Even Higher

The 2026 Honda Pilot is a refreshed three-row SUV designed for households. It has bolder styling with a bigger grille, customary roof rails, and new 20-inch wheels on prime trims. Inside, there’s a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a quieter cabin.

Base Trim Engine

3.5-liter V6

Base Trim Transmission

10-speed automated

Base Trim Drivetrain

Entrance-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

285 hp

Base Trim Torque

262 b-ft

Make

Honda

Mannequin

Pilot

Phase

Midsize SUV

I spent a day driving the brand new Pilot in San Diego, California, on highways and nation roads. It continues to be a strong household automobile with the options, consolation, and cargo room to handle a busy household life.

2026 Honda Pilot First Impressions

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The design of SUVs tends to swing backwards and forwards. One minute, it is all about being rugged and searching able to drive up a mountain. The subsequent it is about making an attempt to make it seem like something however an SUV. The Pilot strikes a great stability between these two extremes. It has hanging options like a giant grille and daring wheels, however traces that are not too aggressive. It appears sturdy and roomy, however with out going overboard on the rugged finish of issues. It is a horny and interesting SUV.

Exterior Dimensions

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Driving Impressions And Efficiency

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On highways and nation roads, the Pilot is comfortable and enjoyable. It’s the type of SUV the youngsters can snooze in on street journeys, with loads of room for everybody to carpool if you’re again on the house entrance. A quiet trip, particularly on these street journeys, makes it a a lot much less tiring automotive to drive and lets everybody converse simply with out having to boost their voices to be heard. Steering is improved with higher dealing with on twisting nation roads, although you do really feel its weight in the event you take these corners at pace. Tough pavement isn’t any difficulty, with even the damaged pavement of development zones unable to rattle the Pilot’s composure.

Braking And Acceleration

Acceleration is robust with loads of energy to rapidly pace up and go slower autos. The three.5-liter V6 engine pumps out 285 horsepower with 262 lb-ft of torque for robust efficiency that makes it straightforward to merge with freeway visitors. And, as soon as once more, it is extremely quiet, so that you hear the engine working, however it’s not intrusive.

Efficiency Specs

Braking is responsive, simply bringing the Pilot’s bulk to a cease. There’s minimal nosedive and even in onerous braking, steering stays managed because the automobile slows. Whether or not braking onerous when visitors all of a sudden slows or managing winding turns, the pedal really feel is robust and assured.

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2026 Honda Pilot Gas Economic system

EPA-estimated gas financial system for the Pilot is nice, however it’s not distinctive. It is strong for the category and will not stretch your funds each time you head out for a street journey. The most effective figures include front-wheel drive, however there’s solely a small dip for the added functionality of all-wheel drive. The off-road TrailSport trim sees these numbers drop even additional, however it’s an inexpensive drop given its off-road prowess.

Inside Design And Consolation

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The inside is tastefully adorned in high-quality supplies that feel and appear upscale. It’s not fancy, however it’s welcoming and enticing, which is what you need in a automotive that’s designed for households. Children include messes, and having a automotive that’s simply stained or marred is a chore.

The Pilot has supplies that don’t look too fragile or delicate for teenagers, however nonetheless are good sufficient to make adults really feel snug. The entrance seats are very roomy and supportive, with a second row that simply accommodates three adults. Even tall or broad-shouldered passengers will discover it straightforward to get snug.

Inside Dimensions

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There’s additionally a 3rd row that has room for 3 adults in all however the TrailSport trim, which has seating for 2 within the again. It’s not the roomiest spot within the automotive, however it’ll do for shorter drives with easy accessibility due to a second-row that slides ahead sufficient for an grownup to simply step inside and sit down.

Expertise And Ease Of Use

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Each 2026 Honda Pilot contains a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s additionally a ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The mix makes the brand new Pilot really feel extra tech-forward and extra fashionable. The bigger display additionally makes the system simpler to make use of with nice contact sensitivity and fast response instances.

A number of USB-C ports hold everybody charged, with two ports every within the first and second row and an extra two for the third row in all however the base trim. A nine-speaker audio system is customary, with prime trims coming geared up with a 12-speaker Bose audio system for a extra premium expertise.

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Cargo And Storage House

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The Pilot is simply as prepared for cargo as it’s for passengers. There’s even respectable room behind the third row, so with a automotive full of youngsters, you may nonetheless have a spot to place all their stuff. A one-touch flat-folding second row makes the swap from folks to cargo simpler, and the extensive liftgate opening ensures you possibly can handle massive, cumbersome objects.

Our Advice For Which Mannequin You Ought to Purchase

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Pricing for the 2026 Honda Pilot begins at $42,195 for the Sport front-wheel drive and goes as much as $54,995 for the Black Version all-wheel drive. In case you want a household automobile that handles every day drives and weekend journeys with out breaking the financial institution, the Touring all-wheel drive at $51,095 is a brilliant alternative. It offers you loads of area for teenagers and equipment, plus good touches like a giant sunroof and a greater sound system that make lengthy rides extra pleasing for everybody.