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The 2026 Honda Pilot Plays It Safe Yet Still Delivers: Review

It's not the best three-row SUV out there, but minor updates for 2026 make the Pilot more appealing.

2026 Honda Pilot First Drive Review

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Jan 29, at 9:00am ET

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The highest praise you can lob at the Honda Pilot is that it’s a perfectly fine three-row SUV. It doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, nor does it ever feel like you’re getting less than you paid for. It does its job, and better than many alternatives.

The Pilot’s 2026 facelift doesn’t make that any less true. Even with a bigger grille, brawnier features, and better technology inside, ultimately, this is still the same Honda Pilot we’ve come to know and… appreciate. Not that that’s a bad thing.

Quick Specs 2026 Honda Pilot Elite Engine 3.5-Liter V6 Output 285 Horsepower / 262 Pound-Feet Fuel Economy 19 City / 27 Highway / 22 Combined Base Price $43,690 / $55,445 (est.)

The 2026 Pilot rides on the same platform that debuted in 2023, which means it's quite a bit older than hot, new arrivals like the second-generation Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. With that, the Pilot soldiers on into the new year with the same powertrain: a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6.

Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 is tried and true, putting out the same 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque as last year, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. It’s punchy enough for a three-row SUV, and the transmission shifts smoothly and seamlessly. You won’t have any trouble merging onto a busy highway.

The only big issue with the Pilot’s V6 is the fuel economy. If you’re comparing it to other non-hybridized engines in the class straight up, 19 miles per gallon city, 27 highway, and 22 combined with front-wheel drive isn’t all that bad (21 combined with all-wheel drive).

The problem, though, is that both the Palisade and Telluride have hybrid options for 2026, which yield a significantly better 35 mpg combined. The Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid, meanwhile, leads the class with 36 combined (not including many of the available plug-in options). Those are big steps up in efficiency.

2026 Honda Pilot First Drive Review

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Pros: Stylish Facelift, Much-Needed Tech Upgrades, Still Nice To Drive

Nothing really changes in terms of the Pilot’s ride quality—again, no bad thing. This SUV is still well-damped and comfortable over long distances. That said, Honda did make the cabin quieter for 2026, noticeably so.

The entire range gets semi-tempered door glass, door insulators, and a new hood insulator, while the Touring and Elite trims (like the one tested here) also get enclosed fender liners. Driving along the same twisty roads near Oceanside, California, where we tested the much noisier Prelude, sound from the engine and tires barely penetrates the cabin. Only when you really hammer the throttle does the V6 start to whine.

2026 Honda Pilot First Drive Review

Photos by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Most of the Pilot’s biggest changes for 2026 are inside the cabin. The digital instrument cluster now measures 10.2 inches across the board, or 3.2 inches more than before. It’s a nice upgrade—if not a bit cluttered—to the otherwise outdated setup on previous trims. It’s paired with an available head-up display that’s nice to have.

The center touchscreen sees the biggest improvement. The now-12.3-inch screen replaces the outdated, undersized 8.0- and 9.0-inch screens from years past. It’s crisp, clean, and easy to use while on the move. You also get standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2026 Honda Pilot First Drive Review

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cons: No Hybrid, Middling Specs, Pricey

Driver and passenger should both be happy with perforated, heated, and ventilated leather-trimmed seats in the first row. Even the second row has leather thrones with heating on this Elite model.

The Pilot beats rivals like the Palisade and Telluride when it comes to third row room, offering a modest 39.3 inches of headroom and 32.5 inches of legroom. But again, there are roomier options out there (Grand Highlander, Dodge Durango, Volkswagen Atlas, etc.)

The brand’s Honda Sensing safety suite comes standard across the board, which includes things like a forward-collision warning, a lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control, and more.

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Verdict

2026 Honda Pilot First Drive Review

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

At $43,690 to start, the 2026 Pilot is priced on the higher side for the segment. The brand-new Telluride ($40,735) and recently updated Palisade ($42,795) are still cheaper. Even the Ford Explorer ($40,160), Dodge Durango ($40,990), and Chevrolet Traverse ($42,795) all undercut the Pilot.

Ultimately, the 2026 Honda Pilot is fine. It’s perfectly fine. Honda’s ubiquitous three-row SUV doesn’t exactly excel in any one area, but it absolutely does its job better than many. No, there’s still no hybrid, nor does it have that many features comparatively. But you could certainly do worse.

Honda Pilot Competitors

Competitor Reviews

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Keeps Its Old-School Charm: Review

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Is Better Where It Matters: Review

2026 Honda Pilot

Engine 3.5-liter V-6

Output 285 Horsepower / 262 Pound-Feet

Transmission 10-Speed Automatic

Drive Type All-Wheel Drive

Weight 4,660 pounds

Efficiency 19 City / 27 Highway / 22 Combined

Seating Capacity 8

Towing 3,500 (2WD) / 5,000 Pounds (AWD)

Cargo Volume 22.4 / 60.1 / 112.4 Cubic Feet

Base Price $43,690

As-Tested Price $55,445 (est.)

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