Honda Looks to Tame the 2026 Pilot With More Creature Comforts

Honda Looks to Tame the 2026 Pilot With More Creature Comforts

Honda has made the Pilot nicer for 2026. The refreshed three-row crossover gets a larger screen, more standard features, and a quieter cabin.

Beauty isn’t only on the inside, though, so the 2026 Honda Pilot gets a new nose to go along with it. Honda calls the more aggressive grille “more aspirational,” but we call it angrier.

12.3-Inch Screen Replaces Tiny Old Ones

(Photo/Honda)

Every 2026 Honda Pilot gets the new 12.3-inch touchscreen. With the 2025 Pilot delivering a 7-inch screen on Sport and a 9-inch unit on the rest, that’s a massive upgrade. New software for the interface and new hardware to run it should deliver a better experience for the driver and front passenger.

To make the 2026 Pilot a more comfortable place to be, Honda has increased the amount of sound insulation. New semi-tempered door glass, door insulators, and a new hood blanket reduce noise by 2-3 dB on every model, Honda said. Touring and Elite models add fender liners to help damp even more noise.

More Standard Equipment for 2026

(Photo/Honda)

Honda says it has upgraded the cabin with higher-quality materials. Normally, that means trim that looks nicer and feels softer to the touch.

For the TrailSport, Honda’s rough-road rugged version of the Pilot, it means new optional deep brown leather with subtle orange stitching.

For the Touring, it means high-contrast accents and stitching on the doors. Elite and Black Edition versions of the Pilot get new diamond-quilted Ultrasuede accents for their seats.

Every new Pilot gets a power tailgate. Last year, that was limited to EX-L and higher grades. Roof rails are now standard across the board as well, and most models get restyled wheels and new paint color options.

Honda has tweaked the power steering in an effort to improve the steering feel. The automaker said it now offers more feel and greater precision, intended to give you more confidence on twisty roads. More steering weight on-center is meant to make it feel more stable and relaxed when you’re cruising on the highway.

The new grille is bigger and more square than before. It dominates the front end to the point that you might not notice Honda has also tweaked the scuff plates, both front and rear. The Sport and EX-L grades get a matte black grille with gloss surround, while higher grades are finished in all–gloss black. TrailSport stands out with a gray finish and matching scuff plates.

2026 Honda Pilot Hits Dealers in December

(Photo/Honda)

Honda has improved the Pilot’s active safety suite for 2026. Every Pilot comes with Post-Collision Braking, a new feature for 2026 that helps protect occupants in multi-crash collisions. It will automatically apply the brakes to prevent it from rolling away after crashes.

Aside from the new insulation, Honda hasn’t changed anything under the hood. The 2026 Pilot comes standard with a 3.5L V6 that makes 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic is the only transmission, and AWD is available on all trims.

The 2026 Honda Pilot will show up at dealers in December. Honda hasn’t announced pricing, but it’s a safe bet to expect an increase over the $40,200 starting price of the 2025 model.

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