It’s been a good while since I was behind the wheel of the Honda Pilot. Amy Plemons has reviewed it a couple of times in the past six years, so this was a good vehicle for me to have this week. Pilot falls third in line in sales of Honda SUVs and it is the flagship model. It is also the only Honda to offer 3rd row seating. I have the Elite trim level, which is next to the top-of-the-line Black Edition. My review Honda came in in a beautiful Platinum White Pearl that looks terrific.
For 2026, Honda gave the Pilot a meaningful refresh with updated styling, more standard technology, additional sound insulation and some chassis refinements. The exterior gets a bolder front-end design with a larger grille and more rugged appearance, while inside, Honda expanded availability of the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was also updated with improved software and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Honda says steering feel has been improved through revised tuning of the electric power steering system, and engineers added more sound deadening materials along with improved glass and insulation to make the cabin quieter. Several trims also pick up more standard equipment for 2026, including additional convenience and camera features.
What did not change is what is under the hood. You get Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 285-horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This Pilot also has Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system and multiple drive modes including Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, Tow, Trail and Sand. Hill start assist and hill descent control are also standard, which should make this Pilot well suited for family duty, bad weather and the occasional trip off the beaten path.
Outside, the Elite has a high-end look with 20-inch alloy wheels, 255/50R20 all-season tires, LED headlights, and LED fog lights. It has sleek lines, and a nice mix of chrome and black trim on the outside.
A good-sized spoiler sits high on the back and black roof rails adorn the top of the Pilot. It is a very attractive SUV, but not what I would call a head-turner, nor is it supposed to be in the Elite trim. The front bumper area is gray, and I would have preferred it in black to carry through the black on the grill, but that’s just me.
Interior
Inside, Honda loads the Pilot Elite with the right comfort and convenience features. Behind the wheel, the Pilot Elite gives the driver a very upscale and comfortable environment.
The heated leather-wrapped steering wheel has a thick feel in your hands without being oversized, and the 10-way power driver’s seat with memory settings should make it easy to get comfortable on long trips. Directly ahead is a crisp 10.2-inch fully digital gauge cluster that can display vehicle information, driver-assist settings and navigation prompts in an easy-to-read layout. Visibility is generally excellent for a three-row SUV, helped by the upright seating position and large side glass area. Honda also gives the Elite a head-up display that projects key driving information onto the windshield so drivers can keep their eyes on the road instead of constantly glancing down at the gauges.
The centerpiece of the Pilot Elite’s cabin is the 12.3-inch color touchscreen mounted high on the dash where it is easy to see without taking your eyes too far off the road. Honda integrates a surprising amount of vehicle functionality into this screen, but wisely leaves some physical controls for commonly used items. Through the infotainment system you control Google built-in services including Google Maps, Google Assistant and downloadable apps, navigation functions, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, the Bose 12-speaker premium audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, mobile hotspot capability, vehicle settings, driver-assistance customization, surround-view camera displays and camera angle selection, wireless phone functions, and various information screens.
The display also serves as the command center for audio sources, smartphone integration, connected services and personalization settings. Climate functions still retain dedicated physical controls below the screen, which means you are not digging through menus every time you want to lower the temperature—a decision that deserves applause in a world where some automakers apparently think adjusting fan speed should require the same concentration as launching a satellite.
The center console is designed more for function than flash, but it is executed well. Between the front seats is a wide console area with Honda’s push-button gear selector replacing a traditional shift lever, which opens up usable storage space underneath and around the controls. You also get a large center storage compartment with enough room for everyday items, dual cupholders positioned for easy access, the wireless phone charging pad, drive mode controls, electronic parking brake and brake hold controls all within easy reach of the driver. The armrest is wide and comfortable for long drives, and reviewers generally note that Honda did a good job keeping the layout uncluttered and intuitive instead of forcing everything into the touchscreen. It feels purpose-built for families who actually use every inch of cabin storage rather than just admiring it at the dealership.
Move to the second row and the Pilot Elite makes a strong case for being the vehicle parents end up wanting to ride in. This trim comes standard with second-row captain’s chairs that are heated and offer excellent space to stretch out thanks to the Pilot’s generous overall dimensions. Passengers get dedicated rear climate controls through the tri-zone automatic climate system, rear air vents, USB charging ports, manual side window sunshades and easy access to the third row through Honda’s one-touch slide feature. One of the Pilot’s clever touches is the removable second-row center seat, which lets owners switch between seven-passenger luxury seating and eight-passenger practicality depending on the trip.
Getting to the third row is easier than in a lot of midsize SUVs thanks to Honda’s one-touch second-row seats, which slide and tilt forward with minimal effort to create a surprisingly usable opening. Once back there, adults can actually survive for more than a short drive, which is not something you can say about every three-row SUV in this class. The third row benefits from dedicated air vents, cupholders and manual side sunshades to help keep passengers comfortable, and there is enough head and leg room for older kids and average-size adults on longer trips if they are not too tall.
Utility
Open the hands-free power tailgate and the Pilot reminds you why three-row SUVs remain so popular. Behind the third row, cargo space measures 22.4 cubic feet, which is enough for groceries, a couple of carry-on bags or the gear that seems to follow every youth sporting event. Fold the third row flat and capacity expands to 60.1 cubic feet behind the second row, creating a wide, useful load floor that can easily swallow luggage, strollers, coolers or a weekend project run to the home improvement store. Drop both the second and third rows and maximum cargo space grows to 111.8 cubic feet, turning the Pilot into a surprisingly capable cargo hauler. Honda also gives the cargo area practical touches including underfloor storage and a low lift-over height that makes loading heavier items easier.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment on the Pilot Elite includes leather-trimmed seating, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers, mobile hotspot capability, wireless phone charging, the 12.3-inch color touchscreen, Google built-in, a head-up display, a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Honda’s CabinTalk in-car PA system, push-button start, push-button shift transmission controls and tri-zone automatic climate control. Front occupants get a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory, a 4-way power front passenger seat and heated and ventilated front seats.
Moving rearward, the Pilot Elite features second-row captain’s chairs with heating, a removable second-row center seat for flexible seating configurations, rear climate controls and manual rear side window sunshades.
Safety
Honda’s safety list is extensive. Standard safety equipment includes driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution, ACE body structure, tire pressure monitoring, LED daytime running lights and the LATCH child-seat system. Honda Sensing is also standard and includes adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, traffic jam assist, and parking sensors front and rear.
There are no options on my review vehicle, which is one of the reasons the price is so attractive.
On the road the Pilot Elite delivers a smooth and quiet ride with confident highway manners and a refined feel that makes it easy to forget you are driving a large three-row SUV. You do get just a little engine noise, but only under heavy acceleration. The V6 gets praise for smooth power delivery, and the 10-speed transmission generally shifts unobtrusively. The steering feels surprisingly direct for a vehicle this size, while the all-wheel-drive system gives the Pilot a planted feel in rain and rough weather. While it is no sport SUV, Honda has done a good job balancing comfort, handling and everyday drivability.
MSRP and MPG
Fuel economy is rated at 19 miles per gallon city, 25 highway and 21 combined. Perhaps the best surprise is the MSRP in this day when 3-row SUVs regularly top out in the high $60,000 range or more, this loaded Pilot is coming in at $54,990. That makes this SUV undoubtedly one of the very best 3-row buys on the market today.