Honda Raises the Bar For the 2026 Pilot

Honda’s best-selling, family-friendly, adventure-ready three-row SUV is back—and it’s better in every way. With a bold design refresh, a dramatically upgraded tech suite, a quieter and more refined cabin, and improved steering for a more confident drive, the 2026 Honda Pilot is poised to remain a class leader in the midsize SUV segment.

Arriving at dealerships next month, the new Pilot blends rugged capability with premium comfort more seamlessly than ever. Here’s everything that’s new for 2026—and why this Pilot may be Honda’s most compelling family SUV yet.

A Fresh, More Aspirational Design

The 2026 Pilot makes an immediate impression thanks to its redesigned front fascia, larger grille, and enhanced scuff plates that amplify its rugged character. Depending on the trim, you’ll see new black, gloss-black, or gray grille treatments that further distinguish each model’s personality.

Three new exterior colors add even more excitement:

• Solar Silver Metallic
• Smoke Blue Pearl
• Ash Green Metallic (exclusive to TrailSport)

Wheel designs also get a major refresh. Touring and Elite trims now feature machine-finished Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels, while the Black Edition receives sinister Berlina Black wheels with matching lug nuts. Roof rails—previously limited to higher trims—are now standard across the entire lineup.

A Cabin Designed for Comfort, Quiet, and High-Tech Convenience

Inside, the Pilot’s cabin takes a big leap forward.

The centerpiece is an all-new 12.3-inch HD touchscreen, now 37% larger with smoother, faster performance thanks to Honda’s latest HMI software. It’s paired with a larger 10.2-inch Digital Instrument Cluster (+43%), making the driver’s view more modern and immersive.

Across all trims, drivers now enjoy:

• Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Google built-in
• 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability
• Three customizable quick-launch touchscreen shortcuts
• A significantly quieter cabin, thanks to improved door glass, insulation, hood liners, and sound-absorbing materials

Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims take refinement even further with upgraded upholsteries, high-contrast stitching, and available brown leather options. The TrailSport model also now offers a brown leather interior with orange contrast stitching—plus heated second-row outboard seats for added winter comfort. And for 2026, a power tailgate is finally standard on every Pilot, making everyday loading and unloading much easier.

Improved Steering Feel and a More Confident Drive

Honda engineers retuned the Pilot’s electric power steering system to deliver:

• Better steering feel and precision
• More confident on-center tracking
• Smoother, more natural feedback
• Less driver input needed during highway cruising

The result is a midsize SUV that feels composed, responsive, and more enjoyable to drive—whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or navigating winding backroads.

Strong Power, Real Capability

Every 2026 Pilot is powered by Honda’s proven 3.5-liter DOHC V6, delivering 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a smooth and responsive 10-speed automatic.

The available—and in some trims, standard—i-VTM4™ torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system continues to set benchmarks for capability. It can send:

• Up to 70% of engine torque to the rear axle
• Up to 100% of that rear torque to either rear wheel

This results in precise handling, improved cornering performance, and rock-solid traction in everything from snow to sand.

Drivers can choose from multiple drive modes, including:

• Normal
• Econ
• Snow
• Sport
• Tow
• Sand (AWD EX-L and above)
• Trail (AWD EX-L and above)

All Pilots also come standard with Hill Descent Control.

TrailSport: Adventure Ready, Family Approved

For 2026, the Pilot TrailSport keeps its reputation as one of the most legitimate off-road SUVs in the segment—not just a styling package. It features:

• Raised, off-road-tuned suspension
• Beefy all-terrain tires
• Steel skid plates for real underbody protection
• Standard AWD with torque vectoring
• Exclusive rugged exterior accents
• Unique orange-trimmed PILOT badging
• New Ash Green Metallic paint option

New for this year, the TrailSport adds heated second-row seats and an available brown leather interior.

Upgraded Standard Safety Features

In addition to Honda’s robust ACE™ body structure and the full Honda Sensing® suite, the 2026 Pilot now includes Post-Collision Braking (PCB) on every trim. This system helps reduce secondary collisions by automatically applying the brakes after an initial impact.

Honda Sensing® includes:

• Collision Mitigation Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Forward Collision Warning
• Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control

The Pilot continues to earn top marks for safety, staying true to Honda’s “Safety for Everyone” philosophy.

Built in the USA, Built for Families

Designed in California, developed in Ohio, and built in Alabama, the Pilot continues Honda’s long-standing commitment to building products close to its customers. More than 2.5 million Pilots have been produced in Alabama since 2006, and the model consistently ranks among the most American-made vehicles in its class.