Honda Pilot Reaches New Heights With Refreshed 2026 Model

It’s easy to become complacent when you’re already at the top of your game, but the Honda Pilot opts for a more proactive approach. Honda unveiled the latest generation of its three-row SUV in 2023, but it’s already returning to the drawing board to deliver a refreshed crossover for 2026. The Pilot embraces a boxier, more rugged look with the debut of the newest version, continuing a trend that began with the launch of the current fourth-generation model.

The latest Pilot completes the transformation with an overhauled front end that includes a more rectangular grille and bumper, vertically oriented lights and air ducts, and standard roof rails, along with fresh wheel designs and improved scuff plates that allow the SUV to boldly go where few models would dare. Honda has really been ahead of the curve when it comes to the squared-off SUV trend, and the Pilot’s new, pickup-inspired look is sure to spawn no shortage of imitators in the coming years. 

While these aesthetic upgrades are sure to draw lots of attention, there are lots of fun surprises to uncover when you start to explore a 2026 Honda Pilot for sale. From a revised steering system and a quieter, more tranquil cabin to larger screens and an ingenious addition to its safety arsenal, the Honda Pilot is ready to raise the bar in the competitive three-row segment. Let’s review some of the SUV’s most important additions, pick through its performance resume, and learn how the TrailSport trim turns the three-row crossover into a readymade adventure rig as we explore the highlights of the 2026 Honda Pilot.         

Powerful Potential 

A three-row SUV deserves a powerful engine, and the 2026 Pilot doesn’t disappoint with a brawny V6 setup that provides drivers with nearly 300 hp. Honda has paired a 3.5-liter engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission to give the Pilot 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, ensuring that you’re never hurting for power when you need it most. From accelerating up to highway speed to providing all the low-end oomph needed to muscle through challenging off-road conditions, the 2026 Pilot puts performance front and center.

Honda’s commitment to internal combustion marks a refreshing change of pace in a time when many competing SUVs have turned to smaller turbocharged and hybrid options. Plus, downsizing the engine wouldn’t offer much room for improvement, as the traditional approach still allows the 2026 Pilot to get an EPA-estimated 27 MPG on the highway while ensuring that it’s well-prepared for whatever the road might throw at it.^[a] 

While most of the 2026 Pilot trims default to a rear-wheel drive (RWD) setup, Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive (AWD) system is available as an optional upgrade on all trims and comes standard on the TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition trims. The AWD setup dramatically enhances the Pilot’s off-road ability, giving drivers the ability to confidently venture into new terrain, but we’ll dive into the details when we discuss the TrailSport trim.

The AWD Pilot can also put in a hard day’s work with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, though even the RWD version can pull up to 3,500 lbs. Factor in a spacious cargo area that offers 87 cu.ft. of storage, and it’s tough to find an SUV that embodies the “work hard, play hard” spirit quite like the Honda Pilot.        

A Fully Digital Dashboard 

The Pilot’s bold new style, reliable performance, and comfortable cabin are all major selling points, but it’s the SUV’s tech-forward design that’s really creating so much buzz around the 2026 model. Honda has generously updated the Pilot’s digital gauge display and touchscreen infotainment system for the new year to create a cutting-edge dashboard that’s well ahead of its time.

While the 2025 model made do with a standard seven-inch digital instrument cluster and an available 10.2-inch upgrade, the larger screen now becomes standard across the entire lineup. By upping the display by some 46%, Honda has made it a whole lot easier to keep an eye on important metrics and enjoy the instrument cluster’s full customization potential. The automaker has taken a similar approach when it comes to the touchscreen infotainment display, swapping out the previous seven-inch and nine-inch options for a standard 12.3-inch high-definition color screen. 

The displays’ improved dimensions obviously improve the Pilot’s ergonomic appeal and accessibility, but the message that these upsized screens send is just as important. Instead of limiting premium features to high-end trims, Honda has employed a more egalitarian approach that allows every buyer to enjoy some of the best technology that the SUV has to offer while staying firmly within their budget.

The same can be said for the Pilot’s 5G Wi-Fi capability and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility—both of which come free of charge for 2026. While it’s not standard across the lineup, the Pilot’s most intriguing tech feature might be its in-cabin intercom system. Honda’s CabinTalk system gives parents the ability to be heard in the furthest reaches of the cavernous cabin, which is sure to prove useful when trying to defuse spats between siblings. 

The Pilot also packs a full complement of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The comprehensive Honda Sensing package includes all the standard ADAS features, such as lane departure mitigation and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, as well as some premium extras, including adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and a driver attention warning system.

Upper trims add a handy head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers, but it’s the addition of a new post-collision braking system that truly sets the Pilot apart from the rest of the crowd. The new feature is focused on those crucial seconds after the moment of impact, automatically engaging the brakes to reduce the likelihood of secondary collisions and other avoidable accidents.

Explore New Terrain With the TrailSport

Introduced in 2022, the Pilot TrailSport ups the SUV’s off-road profile with a generous array of rugged components and modern driving tech. The adventure-ready model was already one of the most enticing options in the Pilot’s extensive trim lineup, and it’s only improving as we move into 2026, with Honda adding some premium features and optional styling upgrades to the mix.

That said, it’s the TrailSport’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD system that really sets the SUV up for off-road success. The advanced torque-vectoring system uses a set of electro-hydraulic clutches to actively distribute power to all four wheels, ensuring consistent traction, stability, and cornering.

This sort of torque-vectoring system isn’t entirely unique on today’s market, but the same can’t be said for the Pilot’s Trail Torque Logic (TTL) feature. Activated by engaging the SUV’s dedicated Trail mode, TTL kicks in when one of the wheels leaves the ground, employing front brake vectoring and the rear differential to quickly shift torque to the wheels that are still on the ground.

The TrailSport also comes with all-terrain tires and a full-size spare, but it’s the trim’s ability to withstand the rigors of the off-road experience that really makes it such a standout in the segment. The TrailSport gains an extra inch of ground clearance when compared to the standard model, features integrated recovery hooks, and packs plenty of off-road armor thanks to its underbody skid plates.

While these features should give you a little peace of mind when venturing off the beaten path, Honda has also included one feature that allows owners to easily avoid some common off-road pitfalls altogether. The TrailSport boasts a surround-view camera system that gives drivers a bird’s-eye view of the area immediately surrounding the SUV, but it improves on the basic formula with an intriguing feature dubbed TrailWatch. 

Strategically placed cameras and a little digital wizardry allow you to essentially see through the hood and tires when moving at low speeds, giving drivers a better chance of avoiding ruts, bumps, and obstacles that might conspire to leave their mark on the bodywork or crucial underbody components. The TrailWatch cameras even include a self-cleaning function that’ll keep mud, salt, and other contaminants from obscuring your view.

The Pilot TrailSport also helps everyone relax on the way home from their latest off-road journey. It features a heated steering wheel and windshield, synthetic leather upholstery with orange stitching, second-row captain’s chairs, and, as of 2026, heated rear outboard seats.    

Pilot Your Way to New Heights at Indy Honda

With so many important upgrades to cover, we haven’t even had the chance to discuss two key improvements. A revised steering system offers enhanced responsiveness, which is always an important factor to consider when shopping on the larger side of the SUV spectrum. Some three-row SUVs tend to be a little sluggish when it comes to responding to driver inputs, but Honda has tweaked the Pilot’s steering, giving the wheel a more weighted feel in a bid to increase stability and provide a dynamic, engaging ride.

Speaking of ride quality, new insulation makes for a more peaceful in-cabin experience, preventing road noise from infiltrating the interior, and turning the Pilot into a three-row retreat that’ll almost have you looking forward to that morning commute. From these comfort-enhancing features and the new post-collision braking system to its trailblazing style, larger displays, and the off-road MVP that is the TrailSport trim, there’s a lot to discover when you’re ready to explore the 2026 Pilot here at Indy Honda.   

^[a] Based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors.

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