2026 Honda Pilot

How does the Pilot drive? Driving the Pilot is a mixed bag. The V6 sounds snarly when you step on the gas, but actual acceleration is only average. At the Edmunds test track, our Pilot TrailSport test vehicle managed the 0-60 mph run in 7.8 seconds. The transmission is overly busy, especially around town. That can also make the Pilot feel overly eager and sensitive to gas pedal inputs when accelerating from a stop. Braking is smooth, but the pedal is soft and numb, and we found the Pilot's emergency stopping distances to be longer than average.

For adventurous families, the Pilot TrailSport is one of the more capable three-row crossovers for light off-road duty thanks to its extra ground clearance. The all-wheel-drive system is another upside. In addition to the expected boost in traction for icy or snowy roads, it can also redistribute the V6's power to make the Pilot considerably more nimble around turns. However, the steering is light and lacks feel, and it provides no real sense of what's going on with the road.

How comfortable is the Pilot? The front seats and optional second-row captain's chairs are pleasantly soft without giving up support. The front seats lack the level of adjustability some competitors offer, so not everybody will get the most comfort out of them. The Pilot's suspension smooths out most bumps with ease, but certain types of uneven pavement can feel sharp and a bit loud in the cabin.

On the whole, wind, road and engine noise is low, but the cabin isn't quite as quiet as the interiors of top-rated competitors like the Kia Telluride. The climate system is simple to adjust and powerful enough for the large cabin. All three rows get vents, but vent placement for the second and third rows isn't optimal. Third-row vents in particular are placed by the armrests, so adults will get airflow to their hands.

How’s the interior? The Pilot's interior is roomy and practical for the first two rows, with lots of storage space and slightly above-average visibility for a vehicle of this class. The latest Pilot's dashboard keeps buttons to a minimum, but we like how Honda managed to make the most commonly used controls accessible rather than burying them in a touchscreen menu, which can be the case in other SUVs.

Getting in and out is easy, with buttons to release the second-row seats that even children can activate. There's enough seat travel that third-row access won't be a squeeze for most adults. Front passengers are spoiled for space in the Pilot, and the second row is wide and accommodating with lots of legroom. Competitors like the Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas, however, have better third rows. Adults will start to feel cramped because the high floor and almost nonexistent toe room under the second-row seats will push their knees up.

How’s the tech? The Pilot offers plenty of usable tech features, but on the whole it's a half-step behind the curve. The infotainment, with wireless phone connectivity, works quickly and is easy to navigate, but both the standard 7-inch screen and the upgraded 9-inch screen look dwarfed by the large cabin. It's unfortunate the Accord's 12.3-inch screen isn't available here. There are plenty of places to charge, including a wireless charging pad. There's only one USB-C port available, however. The rest are the less powerful USB-A type, which limits options for phones, tablets and laptops that support fast charging.

Honda does equip the Pilot with plenty of standard driver assist features. Lane keeping assistance keeps the car centered nicely even at very low speeds. But while the adaptive cruise control follows smoothly at freeway speeds, it's less confidence-inspiring in heavier traffic. In our testing, we found it too slow to react to suddenly braking traffic, prompting the driver to intervene. It also requires prompting via a steering wheel button or accelerator pedal to restart after even the briefest stop, so it doesn't save you much effort.

How’s the storage? Competitors like the Buick Enclave, Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade offer more cargo space, but the Pilot has enough flexible cargo features and small-item storage to make it a helpful family hauler. The 50/50-split third-row seats are easy to release (which is good because there's no power-folding third row available), and they open up a large, if not class-leading, space. Loading and unloading is easy with the floor in its highest position so bulky items can slide in and out.

When it comes to small-item storage, the Pilot is one of the best. Front passengers get an extra-large center console tray and box, along with a few extra cubbies for smaller items. Both the front and rear doors offer a bunch of trays, pockets and even cupholders for every seat that will fit a 40-ounce water bottle.

Our test Pilot TrailSport had the second-row bench seat that comes with a removable center seat that can be stored under the cargo floor in the trunk. It's a neat feature that makes it easy to reconfigure the seating based on your day's needs. Notably, the Pilot is one of the few SUVs to have LATCH anchors for all three second-row seats.

Is the Pilot a good value? The Pilot provides plenty of utility and comfort, and its interior is sturdily built with hefty, solid plastics all around. Competitors spread more soft-touch materials around, especially in higher trims, but the Pilot feels built to endure family life. It's an ideal interior for cleaning up with whatever wipes you have on hand.

But in terms of bang for your buck, most competitors offer more features per dollar. You'll spend more than some top competitors to get a top-trim level, and even then you'll have fewer features than on competitors like the Telluride. Kia and Hyundai also offer significantly longer warranties.

The Pilot is pretty easy to live with, and the TrailSport's added off-road ability broadens its appeal. That said, it comes across to us as the victim of an identity crisis. Honda has tried to make it a sporty, tough-and-rugged and family-friendly SUV, all in one. But this jack-of-all-trades approach means it's a master of none. The Pilot is ultimately good on average but with few standout traits to recommend it.