2026 Honda Pilot Review: Does the Updated V6 SUV Still Lead the 3-Row Segment?

The 2026 Honda Pilot: A Refined Stalwart in a Crowded Field

In the fiercely competitive landscape of three-row family SUVs, the 2026 Honda Pilot arrives with a clear mission: to provide a dependable, spacious, and safe sanctuary for families who aren’t quite ready to jump into the EV deep end. While competitors are chasing radical designs and massive screens, the Pilot stays the course with a refreshed look and extra equipment intended to keep it afloat. If you are looking to get behind the wheel, the 2026 Honda Pilot price starts at an estimated $41,200 for the base Sport trim, scaling up to nearly $56,000 for the flagship Black Edition.

The 2026 model year doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it polishes the edges. Honda has focused on value-added features and trim-specific upgrades to ensure the Pilot remains a top-tier recommendation. However, with the Toyota Grand Highlander and Kia Telluride offering stiff competition, is ‘doing enough’ actually enough?

Design and Aesthetics: Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary

The 2026 Honda Pilot maintains its rugged, boxy silhouette—a design language that was introduced to distance it from the minivan-adjacent look of previous generations. The upright grille and flared fenders give it a commanding presence on the road. For 2026, we see minor revisions to the LED lighting signatures and new alloy wheel designs across the mid-range trims.

The TrailSport Factor

The TrailSport remains the visual and functional highlight of the range. With its increased ground clearance, steel skid plates, and all-terrain tires, it caters to the ‘lifestyle’ buyer. For 2026, the TrailSport receives exclusive ‘Diffused Sky Blue’ paint options and orange contrast stitching that makes the cabin pop. It’s not a rock crawler, but it’s more than capable of handling the trail to the campsite.

Performance and Powertrain: Sticking to the V6 Roots

While many rivals are downsizing to turbocharged four-cylinders or hybrid setups, Honda remains committed to the 3.5-liter V6 engine. This naturally aspirated mill produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.

Driving Dynamics

The driving experience in the 2026 Pilot is characterized by smoothness and predictability. The V6 provides a linear power delivery that is increasingly rare in the segment. The steering is light but precise, making the large SUV feel smaller than it is in parking lots. However, the lack of a hybrid powertrain is a glaring omission in 2026, especially when the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers significantly better fuel economy.

Interior Comfort and Modern Tech

Inside, the Pilot is a masterclass in ergonomics. Honda has prioritized physical buttons for climate control and volume, a move lauded by users who find touch-sensitive sliders distracting. The cabin is peppered with cubbies, including a massive center console and deep door pockets.

Space and Practicality

The Pilot’s party trick is its stowable middle seat in the second row (available on Touring and Elite trims). This allows owners to switch between an 8-passenger bench and a 7-passenger captain’s chair configuration on the fly, with the middle seat fitting neatly into the sub-floor of the cargo area. The third row is actually habitable for adults, which is a claim few in this segment can truly make.

Infotainment Hurdles

If there is a weak point, it’s the technology. While the 2026 model standardizes the 9-inch touchscreen on more trims, it still feels small compared to the 12.3-inch or 14-inch units found in the Kia Telluride or Toyota Grand Highlander. The software is snappy, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are present, but the visual ‘wow factor’ is missing.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Honda continues to lead with its Honda Sensing® suite. For 2026, the system has been calibrated for smoother adaptive cruise control interventions and better lane-centering. While official 2026 NCAP ratings are pending, the identical structure of the 2025 model earned it an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, and we expect nothing less here.

Honda Sensing 360

The high-end Elite and Black Edition trims now feature an updated 360-degree camera system with higher resolution, making the task of maneuvering this 16-foot-long vehicle into tight garage spaces significantly easier.

The Comparison: Rivalry in 2026

Feature	2026 Honda Pilot	2026 Kia Telluride	2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Engine	3.5L V6 (285 hp)	3.8L V6 (291 hp)	2.4L Turbo / 2.5L Hybrid
Transmission	10-Speed Auto	8-Speed Auto	8-Speed / CVT
Max Towing	5,000 lbs	5,500 lbs	5,000 lbs
Screen Size	9.0-inch	12.3-inch Dual	12.3-inch
Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG (est)	21 MPG	24-34 MPG (Hybrid)

Data Visualization: Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Engine Type	24-Valve DOHC V6
Displacement	3,492 cc
Horsepower	285 hp @ 6,100 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive / i-VTM4 AWD
Seating Capacity	7 or 8 Passengers
Cargo Volume (Behind 3rd Row)	18.6 cu ft
Ground Clearance (TrailSport)	8.3 Inches

Variant-Wise Pricing (Estimated Ex-Showroom)

Variant	Estimated Price (MSRP)
Sport	$41,200
EX-L	$44,500
Touring	$48,800
TrailSport	$50,500
Elite	$54,200
Black Edition	$56,100

User Intent: People Also Ask (FAQ)

1. Is the 2026 Honda Pilot a hybrid?
No, the 2026 Honda Pilot currently only offers a 3.5L V6 gasoline engine. Honda has not yet announced a hybrid variant for this generation.

2. How many miles will a Honda Pilot last?
With proper maintenance, a Honda Pilot can easily last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles, given Honda’s reputation for powertrain longevity.

3. What is the difference between the 2025 and 2026 Honda Pilot?
The 2026 model features minor trim adjustments, the standardization of the larger 9-inch screen on the Sport trim, and new color options.

4. Does the 2026 Pilot have wireless Apple CarPlay?
Yes, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the EX-L trim and above.

5. Which is better: Honda Pilot or Kia Telluride?
The Telluride offers a more premium interior and better tech, while the Pilot offers better seating flexibility (stowable middle seat) and a more rugged off-road trim (TrailSport).

6. Can the 2026 Honda Pilot tow a boat?
Yes, when equipped with AWD, the Pilot has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, sufficient for small to medium-sized boats.

7. Is the Honda Pilot AWD or FWD?
Front-wheel drive is standard on lower trims, while the i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive system is optional on Sport/EX-L and standard on TrailSport/Elite.

8. What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Pilot?
Expect approximately 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for FWD models; AWD models see a slight dip to 21-22 mpg combined.

9. Does it have a panoramic sunroof?
Yes, a panoramic sunroof is standard on the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims.

10. Is the Honda Pilot TrailSport worth it?
If you frequently visit trailheads or live in snowy climates, the added ground clearance and specialized AWD tuning make the TrailSport a worthy investment.

Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The 2026 Honda Pilot is the ‘safe bet.’ It doesn’t have the flashiest screen or the most efficient engine, but it excels at being a tool for family life. Its clever interior packaging and bulletproof reliability ratings make it a logical choice for those who plan to keep their vehicle for a decade.

Pros

• Exceptionally spacious and flexible interior.
• Smooth and reliable V6 powertrain.
• TrailSport trim offers genuine soft-road capability.
• Top-tier safety features and ratings.

Cons

• No hybrid option available (poor fuel economy compared to rivals).
• Infotainment screen feels dated and small.
• Conservative styling might be too ‘boring’ for some.