The 2026 Honda Pilot, a refresh of the fourth-generation machine introduced for the 2023 model year, is a slight update to its predecessor. Most of the changes are in the cabin, where new digital screens abound, and the external tweaks are more subtle.
The Pilot's grille has grown larger, the bumper cover has larger rub panels, and the whole thing looks a teensy bit more aggressive. However, it's going to take a true Pilot obsessive geek to recognize the 2026 edition instantly as something different from the 2025 or 2024 models.
The changes are mostly peripheral, with updates including 5GHz Wi-Fi, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, power operation of the tailgate becoming standard across the range, and a post-collision braking system now stopping the vehicle to keep it from caroming into second or third bumps. The Pilot's driving dynamics have been improved, thanks to the sharpened electric power steering algorithm.
5-liter V-6 carries over, still rated at 285 hp at a steamy 6100 rpm with 262 lb-ft torque. Overall, the 2026 Honda Pilot is an easygoing crossover that fills its expected role in every way, but may not push the envelope with innovative technology or brilliant performance.
The 2026 Honda Pilot's updates are a testament to the brand's commitment to refinement and practicality. However, given the current trend towards hybridization in the automotive industry, it's hard not to wonder if the Pilot's V-6 engine is due for an upgrade.
