2026 Honda Pilot First Drive: The Family Hauler Gets Even Better

The 2026 Honda Pilot is a refreshed three-row SUV designed for families. It has bolder styling with a larger grille, standard roof rails, and new 20-inch wheels on top trims. Inside, there’s a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a quieter cabin.

I spent a day driving the new Pilot in San Diego, California, on highways and country roads. It continues to be a solid family vehicle with the features, comfort, and cargo room to manage a hectic family life.

2026 Honda Pilot First Impressions

The design of SUVs tends to swing back and forth. One minute, it’s all about being rugged and looking ready to drive up a mountain. The next it’s about trying to make it look like anything but an SUV. The Pilot strikes a good balance between those two extremes. It has striking features like a big grille and bold wheels, but lines that aren’t too aggressive. It looks sturdy and roomy, but without going overboard on the rugged end of things. It’s an attractive and appealing SUV.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

On highways and country roads, the Pilot is comfy and relaxing. It’s the kind of SUV the kids can snooze in on road trips, with plenty of room for everyone to carpool when you’re back on the home front. A quiet ride, especially on those road trips, makes it a much less tiring car to drive and lets everyone converse easily without having to raise their voices to be heard. Steering is improved with better handling on twisting country roads, though you do feel its weight if you take those corners at speed. Rough pavement is no issue, with even the broken pavement of construction zones unable to rattle the Pilot’s composure.

Braking And Acceleration

Acceleration is strong with plenty of power to quickly speed up and pass slower vehicles. The 3.5-liter V6 engine pumps out 285 horsepower with 262 lb-ft of torque for strong performance that makes it easy to merge with highway traffic. And, once again, it’s incredibly quiet, so you hear the engine working, but it’s not intrusive.

Performance Specifications

Braking is responsive, easily bringing the Pilot’s bulk to a stop. There’s minimal nosedive and even in hard braking, steering remains controlled as the vehicle slows. Whether braking hard when traffic suddenly slows or managing winding turns, the pedal feel is strong and confident.

2026 Honda Pilot Fuel Economy

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the Pilot is good, but it’s not exceptional. It’s solid for the class and won’t stretch your budget every time you head out for a road trip. The best figures come with front-wheel drive, but there’s only a small dip for the added capability of all-wheel drive. The off-road TrailSport trim sees those numbers drop even further, but it’s a reasonable drop given its off-road prowess.

Interior Design And Comfort

The interior is tastefully adorned in high-quality materials that look and feel upscale. It’s not fancy, but it is welcoming and attractive, which is what you want in a car that’s designed for families. Kids come with messes, and having a car that is easily stained or marred is a chore.

The Pilot has materials that don’t look too fragile or delicate for kids, but still are nice enough to make adults feel comfortable. The front seats are very roomy and supportive, with a second row that easily accommodates three adults. Even tall or broad-shouldered passengers will find it easy to get comfortable.

Interior Dimensions

There’s also a third row that has room for three adults in all but the TrailSport trim, which has seating for two in the back. It’s not the roomiest spot in the car, but it’ll do for shorter drives with easy access thanks to a second-row that slides forward enough for an adult to just step inside and take a seat.

Technology And Ease Of Use

Every 2026 Honda Pilot features a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s also a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The combination makes the new Pilot feel more tech-forward and more modern. The larger screen also makes the system easier to use with great touch sensitivity and quick response times.

Multiple USB-C ports keep everyone charged, with two ports each in the first and second row and an additional two for the third row in all but the base trim. A nine-speaker audio system is standard, with top trims coming equipped with a 12-speaker Bose audio system for a more premium experience.

Cargo And Storage Space

The Pilot is just as ready for cargo as it is for passengers. There’s even decent room behind the third row, so with a car full of kids, you’ll still have a place to put all their stuff. A one-touch flat-folding second row makes the switch from people to cargo easier, and the wide liftgate opening ensures you can manage large, bulky items.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

Pricing for the 2026 Honda Pilot starts at $42,195 for the Sport front-wheel drive and goes up to $54,995 for the Black Edition all-wheel drive. If you need a family vehicle that handles daily drives and weekend trips without breaking the bank, the Touring all-wheel drive at $51,095 is a smart choice. It gives you plenty of space for kids and gear, plus nice touches like a big sunroof and a better sound system that make long rides more enjoyable for everyone.