Our Thoughts Exactly: 2026 Honda Pilot
There are plenty of brand loyalists who have been asking why the Honda Pilot is not as popular as, say, everyone else in its class.
Mind you, this is not a damning condemnation that demean this mid-size, three-row SUV. Yet, it does call for some deeper discussion of what a customer truly needs compared to what are they being sold.
Purveyors of vehicles in this class of SUVs entice customers with space and more space. The more space, the better.
What is missing in this conversation are what consumers are truly looking for. They want quality, reliability, dependability, ease of operation, and a balance between performance and efficiency.
If you know Honda, then you can tick off these boxes.
We took a turn in a 2026 Pilot Elite recently that try to sort out these questions and talking points. However, we know consumers will flock to the Pilot because it’s a Honda. Is that really enough for you to consider one?
Exterior-wise, the 2026 Pilot incorporates Honda’s new blunt front-end design with a more squared-off grille and a TrailSport inspired lower fascia/bumper denoted by a brush guard-type trim. This is flanked by a pair of narrow LED headlamp units. The remainder of the 2026 Pilot’s exterior design has not changed as much save for a few details. Our Elite test vehicle wears a set of 20-inch alloy wheels.
The Pilot’s interior is very inviting. The digital 10.2-inch instrument cluster is now fully customizable for format and information. The Elite adds a head-up display with clean readouts. All of the controls are tactile and logical, including the push-button transmission controls on the center console.
The center infotainment touchscreen is now 12.3 inches diagonally. There is a volume/on-off knob available, as well. The system is driven by Google Built-in, but you can still integrate your smartphone with the system. Bose pumps 12 speakers of clean sound throughout the cabin.
Seating is a combination of perforated leather and quilted Ultrasuede, along with contrasting piping. The front seats is supportive and quite comfortable. No fatigue was experienced on extended drives. Second row room is great for adults. However, third row room is best for children. To access the far back seats, just press the button and it slides and folds out of the way for access.
The third-and second-row fold flat to the cargo floor. Space available behind the third-row seats measures up around 18.6 cubic feet. Fold down the third row, and you can haul around 48.5 cubic feet. With all rows folded down, you can carry up to 87.0 cubic feet.
A 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine provides power to the 2026 Pilot. It also puts down 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels through an Intelligent Variable Torque Management system.
The V6 does a fine job getting around town and on highway runs. Ask it to pass or keep up with traffic, and it calls for more torque down low. You can certainly hear it work harder to get there. As for fuel economy, we averaged 21.9 MPG.
Ride quality is compliant. It simply smooths out rougher pieces of tarmac. No serious drama to report. Yet, we found the Pilot’s handling characteristics exhibiting some roll and lean at the limit.
The steering system was solid. On-center feel was fine, and it can hold its own within the lane. The brake pedal felt just right and served solid response down to the calipers and rotors. The system can turn in some good stops in normal and panic situations.
With a choice of seven trim levels, pricing for the 2026 Honda Pilot starts from $42,395. Our Elite AWD test vehicle came with a sticker price of $54,990.
Families are enticed with the array of three-row mid-size SUVs being offered by practically every brand sold in this country. They know what they want – space, space, and space. Plus, performance and ease of operation. To that end, Honda delivers this in the Pilot
It accomplishes the task of delivering family comfort in a package that is easy on the eyes and friendly to the touch. The conveniences offered in the 2026 Pilot Elite are exactly what they need. Do you need anything more than that?
To answer that question, take a drive in the 2026 Pilot.
DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – our opinions are of our own
All photos by Randy Stern