New 2026 Honda Pilot Dimensions, Interior, Review – 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. Redesigned for the New 2026 model year, the Pilot is bigger and more rugged than ever, but it still retains much of what made it a popular family vehicle. The 2025 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. New 2026 Honda Pilot Dimensions
New 2026 Honda Pilot Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
The three-row segment is all about practicality, and the Pilot scores strongly here with generously sized cup holders, including in the third row, a handy shelf above the glove box, and numerous pockets on the doors.
The third row is roomy enough for adults, although it would be more appropriate for kids. The seats in the second row can glide forward and backward and recline. There is 635 L of extra room for belongings when all three rows are in place, which is more than the Kia Telluride, one of the Pilot’s primary rivals. The cargo area may be expanded to 1,702 L by folding the third row.
For the EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, the middle seat in the second row may be taken out and put in the cargo area under the floor. This makes it easier to access the third row, which is the section used to store long items. New 2026 Honda Pilot Dimensions
New 2026 Honda Pilot Specs
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.
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. New 2026 Honda Pilot Dimensions
New 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. New 2026 Honda Pilot Dimensions
New 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). New 2026 Honda Pilot Dimensions
New 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. New 2026 Honda Pilot Dimensions
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.