A Familiar Heart With Better Tech

Following the smashing success of the two-row Passport SUV, it’s time for the 2026 Honda Pilot to receive a much-needed facelift. With stiffer competition from the newly introduced Toyota Grand Highlander and the recently overhauled Hyundai Palisade, Honda had to update its three-row family hauler with some new technology, updated styling, and other important changes. But even though this refreshed Pilot is better, it’s still missing a feature that can be found in many of its rivals…

Base Trim Engine

3.5-liter V6

Base Trim Transmission

10-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

285 hp

Base Trim Torque

262 b-ft

Segment

Midsize SUV

Pros & Cons

• Smooth V6 engine and 10-speed transmission
• Improved technology for 2026
• Great seats and storage solutions

• Styling barely changes for 2026
• No hybrid option added
• Smaller than several rivals

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The 2026 Pilot is not all-new, but rather a facelifted version of the fourth-generation model that was first introduced for the 2023 model year. Honda focused on redesigning the front fascia, improving the infotainment, and adding more standard equipment across the lineup. Sadly, a hybrid powertrain was not ready in time for this product cycle, so the Pilot soldiers on with just one engine: a naturally aspirated V6. Can the 2026 Pilot still compete with the bigger, more frugal options in the three-row mid-size SUV segment? CarBuzz traveled to San Diego to answer this question.

What’s Changed For 2026?

Honda’s updates to the 2026 Pilot are considered a mid-cycle facelift, not a full redesign. There’s a slightly different front fascia, new wheels, upgraded technology, and more standard features across the trim lineup. Honda also introduced trim-specific feature improvements, such as heated rear seats on the TrailSport, a 360-degree camera on Touring, and diamond stitching on Elite.

Here are all the new standard features for the 2026 model year:

• Larger touchscreen (and larger digital instrument cluster) with 5G Wi-Fi capability
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Power tailgate
• Roof rails
• Post-Collision braking system

Exterior Design: New-Ish

If you liked how the Pilot looked before, you likely won’t take issue with the 2026 facelift. In fact, without seeing them parked next to each other, it’s hard to tell them apart. It gets a larger grille opening and a more muscular lower fascia with a silver scuff plate on EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims, or black on Sport and Black Edition. Roof rails are now standard, and the rugged TrailSport gets an orange Pilot badge to match its other orange logos.

Aside from the front end tweaks, Honda also added some new 20-inch wheels for the Touring/Elite, Touring Blackout, and Black Edition trims. Though we didn’t get to see the black wheels in person, they look pretty cool. It would have been nice to see the Pilot get a major overhaul to look like the boxy Passport, but that would have required a much higher cost on Honda’s part.

Interior: Acura Influence

The Pilot boasts a family-friendly interior with plenty of storage area and cupholders, no matter which row you sit in. 2026 brings some highly-requested improvements, mainly in the form of upgraded technology. Honda also upped the luxury feel on top models like the Elite and Black Edition, which now include diamond-quilted seats with Ultra Suede accents and faux wood trim for the Touring and Elite trims. The rugged TrailSport also sees some improvements, including a new brown interior (black is still an option) and standard heated rear seats.

There are larger three-row crossovers in this segment, but the Pilot has plenty of space in all three rows, and some fantastic ergonomic solutions. One button tap slides the middle seats to give access to the third row, and Honda is one of the only automakers to offer a removable middle seat that turns the bench into functional captain’s chairs (actual captain’s chairs are available on certain trims). When the middle seat is in place, it can be folded to form an armrest with more cupholders and when it is removed, it can be stored under the floor in the trunk.

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Infotainment: Better Instruments

Honda’s technology felt like it was lagging behind competitors in this segment, and the 2026 addresses that issue. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard, replacing the outgoing seven- and nine- inch ones. This system now has Google built-in, like other Honda screens, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A nine-speaker audio system is standard with a subwoofer, but the Touring trim (and higher) gets a 12-speaker Bose system that sounds okay, but not the best in the class.

We also like the new 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, but wish it was more customizable with the ability to show a full map in the display.

Powertrain & Driving: Familiarity Can Be Good

There is only one engine available in the Pilot: a 3.5-liter dual overhead cam V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. That engine comes mated to a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic, sending power to the front wheels or optional all-wheel-drive. Many competitors in this segment have switched to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, and several now offer available hybrid powertrains with superior fuel economy. For buyers who prefer something familiar, the Pilot’s V6 should net 19/27/22 mpg (city/highway/combined) with FWD and 19/25/21 mpg with AWD, based on fuel economy figures for the 2025 model year. Those numbers drop to 18/23/20 mpg for the TrailSport.

During our first drive outside of San Diego, California, we recorded a zero to sixty sprint in 7.67 seconds with the 2026 Pilot Elite AWD. That’s a bit slower than the 2026 Buick Enclave Avenir AWD (7.65 seconds) and the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse RS (7.41 seconds), and far behind the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy (6.97 seconds). The 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro was slower, though (7.75 seconds).

It may not be the quickest or most efficient vehicle in its class, but the J Series V6 on the Pilot sounds fantastic as it hits peak power at 6,100 rpm and peak torque at 5,000 rpm. If you enjoy the noise from a classically-sweet engine, the Pilot doesn’t disappoint, especially compared to the terrible sound emitted by the four-cylinder engine in the aforementioned Buick and Chevy.

Every Pilot trim is quieter for 2026, and Honda says the cabin is now two to three decibels quieter at certain frequencies. We noted the car was tranquil on the highway, making it a great family road trip vehicle. Comfortable suspension combined with standard Honda Sensing make it an easy car to live with and trust to keep your family safe. We wouldn’t call it the most entertaining in the class, but the improved steering feel for 2026 makes the Pilot enjoyable to drive without feeling trucky or cumbersome.

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Though Honda didn’t have the TrailSport available at the First Drive event, our previous experience with that model proves a unibody vehicle can offer impressive off-road capability for families who like to leave the paved road frequently. Torque vectoring AWD combined with a smooth-revving V6 yield a surprisingly fun formula, which can handle itself well on difficult trails. The TrailSport also gets all-terrain tires, a one-inch suspension lift, front skid plate, and TrailWatch camera system.

Verdict & Pricing: The Safe Option

Honda played it safe with the 2026 Pilot facelift, and ended up with a safe, but not class-leading product. This is a recommendable SUV, but it’s hard to say it’s the best in any one category. Pricing starts at $42,195 (not including the $1,495 destination charge) for the well-equipped Sport trim, though the EX-L seems like a worthy upgrade for $44,495. Just $2,300 gets you leather seats with memory, parking sensors, a wireless phone charger, rear climate controls, two USB ports in the third row, auto-dimming rearview mirror, available captain’s chairs, and heated side mirrors with memory.

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The TrailSport is the rugged option for $50,395, while the Touring costs $51,095 and adds a hands-free tailgate, panoramic sunroof, navigation, and Bose audio. Buyers who want the most luxury will opt for the Elite trim at $53,495, which includes a head-up display, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, heated windshield, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming side mirrors, and power-folding mirrors. The Black Edition ($54,995) is basically the same, just with exterior black accents and red perforated leather inside.

If you are looking for a three-row SUV with a hybrid powertrain, the Pilot must be crossed off your list. Honda is working on a new V6 hybrid system, but it won’t appear in this generation of vehicles. For now, the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Toyota Grand Highlander are more frugal three-row options and all three have more power than the Pilot. If size matters, the Grand Highlander is bigger, as are the three GM crossovers from Chevy, Buick, and GMC.

Honda’s improvements for 2026 have not radically moved the Pilot above its rivals, but it has made it more competitive in a crowded market where shoppers have more options than ever. So if you don’t need a hybrid, and you want a solid SUV with a sweet engine, the 2026 Pilot could be for you.