2026 Honda Pilot

Performance

All pilots are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers an effortless 285 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and a peak torque of 262 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. The engine is paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. In Sport, EX-L, and Touring models, front-wheel drive is standard, offering an EPA-estimated city/highway/combined mpg of 19/27/22*.  

Available on the models mentioned above and standard on the TrailSport Elite and Black Edition is Honda’s 2nd-Generation Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM™) AWD System, which can send up to 70% of the engine’s torque to the rear axle, and 100% of that torque can be distributed to either the left or right rear wheel. By sending torque to the outside wheel during a turn or curve, the Pilot feels surprisingly nimble for its size, while understeer is reduced. With this AWD system, the Pilot achieves mpg ratings of 19/25/21* on all models except the TrailSport, which is rated at 18/23/20*. Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds for FWD models and 5,000 pounds for AWD models. 

All models feature a four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link arrangement in the rear. FWD models offer Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, and Tow drive modes. AWD models add Trail and Sand modes. The TrailSport comes with all-terrain tires and a 1-inch increased ride height, raising ground clearance from 7.3 to 8.3 inches. It also has a lower steering ratio and a full-size spare tire. For 2026, all models will have a revised steering system for a better feel and several updates for a quieter highway ride. 

Exterior

The 2026 Pilot features new front-end styling with a larger rectangular grille and a two-tone design on the front bumper. Besides some new wheel options, the rest of the body remains largely unchanged, highlighted by a strong body-color C-pillar, all-LED lighting, and an overall look free of trends and gimmicks. 

Interior

New for 2016 is a standard 10.2-inch digital driver’s display and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen. TrailSport, Touring, and Elite trims gain new upholstery options. The dash features a horizontal layout that highlights the cabin’s width. While the center screen is larger, Honda doesn’t require you to use it for everything; instead, it offers a full set of physical controls for the climate and other systems. The electronic transmission controller on the center console is intuitive and easy to operate, creating space between the driver and front passenger.  

Second-row passengers enjoy over 40 inches of legroom, and third-row legroom is a generous 32.5 inches. Behind the third-row seats, cargo space ranges from 18.6 to 22.4 cubic feet, depending on the trim level. This expands to 48.5 to 60.1 cubic feet with the third seatback folded. When both the second and third seatbacks are down, a total of 87.0 to 113.7 cubic feet is available. 

Technology

As mentioned, all models now feature a 10.2-inch digital driver’s display and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen. Powering the large screen is the Google Built-in operating system. In addition to standard wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with fewer embedded menus and three programmable shortcuts on the left side of the screen. Once available only on the Elite and Black Edition models, the 360-degree view camera system is now standard on the Touring model.  

Starting with the EX-L model, the in-car PA system lets the driver or front passenger communicate with the second and third rows through the vehicle’s speaker system. The conversation mirror enables the driver to easily see the passengers in the second and third rows.  

Safety and Driver Assistance

The structurally identical 2025 Pilot received an overall 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and earned a TOP SAFETY PICK designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These results are partly due to Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and advanced airbag technology. 

All Pilots come standard with the Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver assistive technologies, which includes: 

• Collision Mitigation Braking System 

• Road Departure Mitigation System 

• Forward Collision Warning 

• Lane Departure Warning 

• Lane Keeping Assist System 

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow 

• Traffic Sign Recognition System 

• Traffic Jam Assist 

• Blind Spot Information System 

• Cross Traffic Monitor 

• Driver Attention Monitor 

All trims but the Sport: 

• Low Speed Braking Control 
• Front and rear parking sensors