2026 Honda Pilot Elite AWD: The Brand’s Flagship Three-Row Crossover

 

Highlight: The Pilot is now outfitted with a 12-inch infotainment touch screen.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $54,900 (Base – FWD): $43,690

Seating Capacity: 8

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a backup camera; a blind spot collision avoidance assist; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; rear cross traffic avoidance; a forward collision braking system; a lane departure warning system; a lane keep assist system a road departure mitigation system; a blind spot information with rear cross traffic monitor; auto dimming side mirrors; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (Test Model): 20-inch wheels; a heads up display (HUD) system; push button ignition starter system; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a leather wrapped steering wheel; a heated steering wheel; Google built in system; 12-inch infotainment system; in-car WE-FI; wireless phone charger; leather seats with Ultrasuede seats; heated front and second row outboard seats; ventilated front seats; heated windshield; power lift tailgate with handsfree access; power folding side mirrors; and dual chrome exhaust finishers

Options: none

Other Trim Levels:

Sport

EX-L

TrailSport

Touring

Black Edition

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 12-speaker Bose with AM/FM/HD  

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Motor/Horsepower: 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder /285-hp

Fuel Type: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 19-city/25-hwy (test model)

Towing: 5,000 lbs

What’s New: The Pilot receives a midcycle update as noted with the new grille, larger infotainment touchscreen system and more standard tech features.

Why:

A stylish design

A larger touchscreen infotainment

Front wheel drive or AWD

A multitude of driving modes

A variety of trims

Leather seating available

A co-pilot assist steering system

A radar-activated cruise control system

A peppy V6 engine

Wireless charging

The latest safety driving aids

A brake hold system

Roomy, seats up 8

Heated and ventilated front seats

Heated second row outbound seats

A panoramic power sunroof with a cover

Comfortable seating

Multi-Function second tow with removable middle seat

Heated windshield

But:

No SiriusXM available

No hybrid powertrain

Second row captain seats were not available on most trims, including the Elite we reviewed

Third row is not as roomy as the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade

Verdict: In a highly competitive large crossover/SUV segment, where there are literally three new designs, Honda has upped its game in order to stay competitive with the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Chevy Traverse.

For the 2026 model year, the boxy-looking Pilot, with its ability to seat 8 occupants, has been upgraded with a new grille design, a larger touchscreen infotainment center and more standard features.

And, at a starting price of $43,900, the brand’s flagship crossover/SUV continues to be available in both a front wheel drive and an all-wheel drive configuration.

We were fortunate to spend some time behind the Elite trim, one of the top trims for the three-row crossover/SUV. Elite. Our well-equipped Pilot Elite was outfitted with such features as 20-inch wheels, ultra-suede leather inserts, a 360-degree camera and a co-pilot steering system. While the $55,000 stucker price seemed lower than a comparably equipped Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, the Pilot just didn’t exude the same level of luxury and roominess, especially in the third row as two newest entries in the competitive large crossover segment. 

Unlike most of the flagship large crossovers/SUVs in the segment, the Pilot lacked such features as SiriusXM and a hybrid powertrain. Now while we preferred the peppy 3.5-liter, gas-fused 6-cylinder that powered our Pilot, it lacked the MPG only a hybrid could offer.  In fact, as many of its competitors have made the switch to 4-cylinders, Honda, Nissan and Ford have been holdouts offering either a 6-cylinder or an 8-cylinder powertrain.

Overall, the Honda Pilot has made significant upgrades. Ultimately consumers will determine if Honda pushed the limits far enough. So far, based on sales figures, Honda is selling on average about 10,000 new Pilots per month. This is up from where they were before the midcycle upgrades.  

Competition: Buick Traverse; Chevrolet Traverse; GMC Acadia; Hyundai Palisade; Nissan Pathfinder; and Kia Telluride