2026 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is the automaker's venerable three-row SUV. Its familiar boxy proportions and spacious cabin have made it a favorite family hauler for the last two decades. The brand has stuck with a familiar formula too. Power continues to come from a V6, and all-wheel drive has always been an option. The 2026 Pilot is more of the same — and that's no bad thing — with its easy-to-use tech interface, plenty of capability, and ample room for most passengers. The third row is a touch cramped, and the Pilot could use more zing from under the hood. That said, those drawbacks are minor, and the Pilot is always worth considering for families and Honda fans alike.

One of our complaints about last year's Pilot had to do with its standard infotainment touchscreen; at 7 inches, it was woefully smaller than what its rivals offered. Even upgrading to a 9-inch screen on the upper Pilot trims was inadequate. That's all in the past, however. For 2026, the Pilot comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. It includes wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration too. Other changes this year include mild styling updates, a few more standard features, and what Honda says is improved steering feel (which should help you feel more engaged with the vehicle as you go around corners) and reduced cabin noise on the highway. Read our 2026 Honda Pilot First Drive article to learn more about the updates and what we think of them.

If you're interested in the 2026 Honda Pilot, you should know the three-row SUV segment is packed to the gills with competition. The redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride offers more advanced tech and a wider array of trims, while the Hyundai Palisade is a more luxurious experience with a hushed cabin and expensive-feeling materials. You should also check out the Toyota Grand Highlander. Its available hybrid version gets significantly better mpg than the Pilot.