2026 Honda Pilot adds 12.3-inch screen, quieter cabin, TrailSport upgrades

The 2026 Honda Pilot opens with a base Sport trim priced from $42,195 before additional charges. The updated lineup spans six versions: Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition.

Every 2026 Honda Pilot now carries a new ultra-wide 12.3-inch touchscreen—37% larger than before—running the latest HMI software for smooth, lag-free operation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are Google built-in, 5G Wi‑Fi hotspot capability, and a 10.2-inch digital driver display that’s 43% larger for better visibility and a more immersive feel. It’s a welcome jump in everyday usability.

Comfort gets a boost inside, too. The cabin is quieter thanks to new semi‑tempered door glass, additional door insulators, a new hood insulator, and other sound‑absorbing measures that cut engine, road, and wind noise. Touring and Elite trims also add enclosed wheel wells to further reduce road roar—small changes that should pay dividends on long family drives.

The Touring model brings contrast accents to the seats and stitching on the door panels, and a brown leather interior becomes available. Elite and the flagship Black Edition step up with new accents on seats finished in quilted Ultra Suede, plus contrast stitching on the doors. TrailSport can now be had with brown leather (alongside black) with orange contrast stitching, and it adds standard heated second‑row seats—handy when winter adventures call.

Outside, the 2026 Pilot leans harder into an adventure‑ready look with a bolder face featuring a larger grille and more pronounced front and rear skid plates. Sport and EX‑L get a new black grille with a gloss‑black surround, while Touring, Elite, and Black Edition use a new gloss‑black grille. Silver skid plates appear on EX‑L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite; Sport and Black Edition wear black plates. The tweaks make the design read cleaner and more purposeful.

To underscore the extra capability of the Pilot TrailSport, there’s a new rear skid plate with an exclusive off‑road‑inspired design, and the PILOT script on the tail gains an orange outline to match the TrailSport badges. A subtle touch, but it ties the package together.

Roof rails are now standard across the range except on EX‑L, adding versatility and a bit of visual attitude. Touring, Elite, and Black Edition ride on new 20‑inch wheels. Touring and Elite feature new Shark Grey machined alloys with black lug nuts, while the Black Edition rolls on new Berlina Black alloys with black lugs.

The 2026 Honda Pilot sits on a platform engineered with genuine TrailSport off‑road ability in mind, a foundation that benefits ride comfort, handling, and overall refinement across the lineup. Power comes from a standard 3.5‑liter DOHC V6 rated at 285 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 359 Nm at 5,000 rpm (SAE). Paired with a 10‑speed automatic tuned specifically for the Pilot, the setup prioritizes smoothness and quick responses—exactly what everyday driving asks for.

Honda’s i‑VTM4 all‑wheel‑drive system is available on all trims and standard on TrailSport, Elite, and the top Black Edition. To optimize traction on slippery surfaces and beyond, i‑VTM4 progressively sends torque not just front to rear but also between the left and right rear wheels, helping the Pilot feel more precise and engaging in the driver’s hands.

Five standard drive modes tailor the SUV to conditions: Normal, Econ, Snow, Sport, and Tow. EX‑L and above with all‑wheel drive also add Sand and Trail modes to enhance off‑pavement confidence. Hill descent control is standard on all Pilot models.