2026 Honda Pilot Redesign, Pictures, Engine

2026 Honda Pilot Redesign, Pictures, Engine  –  When it comes to three-row SUVs, shoppers are spoiled for choice. It’s a far cry from when the Honda Pilot debuted in 2002 to a much less crowded field of competitors. The 2026 Honda Pilot soldiers on unchanged except for the new Black Edition trim tested here that’s back in the lineup after a two-year absence.

2026 Honda Pilot Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

The Pilot has shed its rounded and streamlined body panels for a more rugged and chunky look. The upright grille and blocky design are more truck-like, but the Pilot is also a bit bigger than before. While the Trail Sport trim gets skid plates, a raised ride height, and all-terrain tires, the range-topping Black Edition trades all that for dark exterior accents and red stitching inside.

Honda is on a high with its new interior design language that debuted on the current Civic. That means a clear focus on ergonomics, with big buttons, tactile knobs, and a clean and clutter-free look overall. The low cowl height also makes for excellent forward visibility.

2026 Honda Pilot Specs

With gloss-black wheels and external ornamentation (roof rails, mirror caps, logos, and more), the Black Edition examined here, the most costly version of the Pilot, improves upon the Touring. Inside, the front seats and floor mats have additional Black Edition emblems, while the steering wheel, door panels, and seats all have crimson stitching and decoration.

Although it is not the most modern Google-based system Honda just unveiled in the Accord, the infotainment system features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and operates on a nine-inch screen. 2026 Honda Pilot Redesign

Engine and Performance

A 3.5L V6 is the sole engine choice. It produces 285 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, which puts it about mid-pack amongst competitors. With crisp throttle response and a nice sound under acceleration, it’s also refined and eager to put its power down. Competitors like the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander offer more powerful and hybridized powertrains, but the Pilot’s V6 is relatively efficient and handles daily family hauling duty with little issue.

Another area where this Pilot excels is its ease of use. From the simple dash layout to the physical buttons and knobs for important functions like climate controls, it’s the type of interior that you’ll get familiar with in minutes. Even the infotainment, which some have described as dated, is straightforward and user-friendly. Its muted colour palette and simple tile icon layout have been criticized as being less advanced than competitor systems, but the simplicity of the interface won’t feel outdated as trends change.When it comes to three-row SUVs, shoppers are spoiled for choice.

There are much fewer rivals now than there were when the Honda Pilot made its debut in 2002. The Pilot, which was redesigned for the 2023 model year, is larger and more durable than before, but it still has many of the features that make it a well-liked family car. Except for the new Black Edition trim, which is returning in the lineup after a two-year break, the 2026 Honda Pilot remains untouched.

2026 Honda Pilot Fuel Economy

The Honda Pilot doesn’t have a hybrid option like its CR-V sibling, or rivals like the Toyota Grand Highlander, but the V6 uses direct injection and cylinder deactivation to cut fuel consumption and emissions. It’s rated to consume 11.2 L/100 km in combined driving conditions, but during this test the indicated average came in at 10.3 L/100 km. Even so, the Grand Highlander Hybrid is rated to burn just 7.0L/100 km combined.  2026 Honda Pilot Redesign

2026 Honda Pilot Safety Features

Honda’s driver-assist technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, road and lane departure mitigation, and collision mitigation brakes, are all installed in the Pilot. The Pilot has also been recognized as a Top Safety Pick+ winner, the highest crashworthiness honor given by the non-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  2026 Honda Pilot Redesign

The Pilot handles as well as expected for a three-row SUV. The suspension remains composed and well-controlled through the corners, and the steering is precise if slightly overboosted. A sport driving mode adds some heft to the helm and remaps the throttle mapping and transmission shift points for a sportier feel. The overall theme here is comfort and refinement, which is exactly what it should be in this class.

2026 Honda Pilot Price and Release Date

Like many Honda products today, you’ll pay a premium for the Pilot, which has a starting price of $55,350 before tax. The fully loaded Black Edition tested here rings in at $67,100 including its non-negotiable freight charge of $2,000, making it more expensive than the top trims of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max costs slightly more but has more power and burns less gas.

The Honda Pilot has been a contender in the three-row segment for more than two decades and it shows. It’s a thoroughly refined SUV with a great powertrain and good handling for something so big. Its biggest draw is its cabin, which boasts excellent fit and finish and has lots of thoughtful storage and versatile seating options. The lack of a hybrid powertrain and its premium price tag, however, keep it short of being our top pick in this highly competitive segment. 2026 Honda Pilot Redesign