The 2026 Honda Pilot is already a favorite in the midsize SUV segment. In typical Honda fashion, they couldn’t leave well enough alone, and for that, we are thrilled. This year’s model gets a refresh inside and out, improving the driving experience, styling, and adding more standard tech. When fully loaded, it arguably competes with pricier luxury SUVs.
“Fully loaded” is hard to define for the Pilot; it essentially has two top trims. There’s the Pilot Elite and the Pilot Black Edition. They share similar equipment and amenities, with the Black Edition effectively being an appearance package for the Elite model. For our purposes, we’ll treat both well-equipped trims as “fully loaded.”
Driving Experience
Honda already equips the Pilot with a strong 285-hp V6 engine, and now Honda has refined the steering system, which it says offers “improved steering feel and precision.” The Pilot is also slightly quieter, by 2-3 decibels, which reduces cabin noise.
Not to geek out, but the award-winning Honda i-VTM4 all-wheel drive (AWD) system comes standard on the Pilot Elite and the Black Edition. The i-VTM4 system will gradually distribute optimal torque between the front and rear axles, as well as between the left and right rear wheels. It can send up to 70% of the engine’s torque to the rear axle, and as much as 100% of that torque to the left or right rear wheel. That means outstanding traction on both slippery and dry roads, plus a modicum of off-road capability.
Modern Tech
Honda made major upgrades on the 2026 Pilot, increasing the infotainment display to a substantial 12.3 inches and enhancing the 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. That is 37% and 43% bigger, respectively, than before. Along with larger screens come additional tech features, including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as 5G Wi-Fi capability.
Some other desirable tech features in the top trims of the Honda Pilot include a wireless charging pad, a Bose premium audio system, and a 360-degree camera with TrailWatch.
Interior and Exterior Touches
The Elite and Black Edition models share similar features, including a head-up display, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable seats, heated second-row seats, Bose premium audio, and a panoramic moonroof. The front seats in both models feature new diamond quilted Ultra Suede accents and high-contrast door panel stitching. The Elite’s interior is available in black or brown, and the Black Edition comes only with – you guessed it – black interior upholstery, but with red contrast stitching for a sporty look.
The Elite and Black Edition models include puddle lights and auto-dimming side mirrors. The Elite trim features distinctive machine-finished Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels and silver scuff plates, while the Black Edition offers gloss black side mirrors, dual gloss black exhaust finishers, Berlina Black 20-inch alloy wheels, and gloss black exterior trim accents. As we alluded earlier, the differences between the Pilot Elite and Pilot Black Edition are purely aesthetic.
Finally, the Pilot has one of our favorite family features in any midsize SUV: a removable middle seat in the second row. Keep it in place when you need the extra seat, or stow it under the floor in the cargo area when you want the comfort of second-row captain’s chairs.
Safety
Honda takes its commitment to safety a step further for the 2026 Pilot by introducing the new Post-Collision Braking System (PCB), which helps mitigate damage and injuries sustained in multi-vehicle collisions. Drivers can feel confident behind the wheel of the Elite and Black Edition, which are equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, which includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, and Road Departure Mitigation. It also incorporates Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. The result is more confident and relaxed highway cruising.
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