By Steve Laser
The Pilot is a success story for Honda, with nearly three million units sold since 2003. Now in its fourth generation, Honda is refreshing its popular midsize SUV for 2026.
Updates include revised front styling, larger touchscreens with enhanced technologies, and equipment upgrades for the full model line.
Honda offers something for everyone with the choice of six Pilot models for 2026. The lineup includes the Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite and Black Edition.
All Pilots gain redesigned front styling with larger grilles plus new lower scuff plates in the front and rear. TrailSport wears an exclusive rear scuff plate that enhances its adventure-ready design and offers a new exterior color called Ash Green Metallic.
Honda has updated the interiors for all Pilots with new features including a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver plus a larger center 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard, along with Google built-in, plus a Wi-Fi® hotspot and HondaLink®. New HMI software is said to provide a simplified navigation structure with fewer embedded menus.
A Multiview Camera System with TrailWatch™ is standard on TrailSport. Selectable Drive Modes include Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, Tow, Trail, and Sand.
TrailSport offers new optional brown synthetic leather-trimmed seats with orange stitching. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard while all other models include a second-row bench seat.
The unchanged powertrain includes a 3.5-liter DOHC Dual VTC V6 engine with 283 horsepower and 262 lbs.-ft. of torque, teamed with a 10-speed automatic transmission including paddle shifters. Honda’s torque vectoring i-VTM4™ all-wheel drive is standard on TrailSport.
Honda Sensing® driver assist and safety features include Collision Mitigation Braking System™ with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Information System, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Note: Features and specifications for U.S. market models are subject to change without notice.
News source and photos courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Photos are posted for editorial use.
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