Written By JR Robinson

Okay, so, look. You guys know how I feel about constantly improving, right? Like, you never just sit on a win. You have to keep pushing. And that is exactly what Honda is doing here with the 2026 Pilot.

I mean, the Pilot was already the benchmark. It’s the go-to for families. But Honda’s engineers? They basically said, “No, we can do better. Let’s really nail this.”

So, what they’ve done is taken this already solid, rugged SUV and just... elevated it. It’s starting to arrive at dealerships next month, and honestly, the changes are meaningful. It’s not just a fresh coat of paint—though, um, the new colors are pretty sharp—it’s about the experience inside the cabin and behind the wheel.

First Off, The Look

They made it bolder. It’s got this new, aggressive grille and these pronounced scuff plates that just make it look ready for adventure. It’s a bit more aspirational, you know?

• The Sport and EX-L have this sleek black grille.

• The TrailSport—which is the cool, off-road one—keeps that gray grille we know.

• And the Elite and Black Edition? They get this gloss black finish that just pops.

Plus, they added roof rails to everything now. Even the EX-L gets them standard. So it looks capable because, well, it is capable.

The Tech Upgrade is Massive

This is the part that I think is going to win people over immediately. You know how frustrating it is when the screen is too small or the tech lags?

So, Honda fixed that. Every single 2026 Pilot now comes with this huge 12.3-inch HD touchscreen. That’s, like, 37% bigger than before. And the digital instrument cluster in front of the driver? Also way bigger.

And, um, get this—wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. No more cords messing up the console. Plus, 5G Wi-Fi capability. They just made it easy. They dumbed down the friction so you can just get in and drive.

Driving Feels More Premium

I’m really interested in this part. They didn’t just add gadgets; they actually retuned the steering. They’re saying it feels more precise, more natural.

And it’s quieter. They used this new semi-tempered acoustic glass and added insulation everywhere. So, think about those long road trips with the family. Less wind noise, less road noise... it just makes for a calmer environment, which we all know is a win when you’ve got kids in the back.

Speaking of the back—if you grab the TrailSport, they added heated second-row seats. So, for those winter trips? The kids are going to be happy.

Safety and Power

You guys know safety is huge for Honda. Standard Honda Sensing® is on everything. But they added this new thing called Post-Collision Braking. Basically, if—God forbid—you get in a crash, the car brakes itself to stop you from rolling into a second crash. It’s smart.

Under the hood, it’s still that trusty V6 engine. 285 horsepower. It’s powerful, it’s strong, and if you get the AWD (which is standard on the upper trims), that torque vectoring system is... well, it’s fantastic. It literally sends power where you need it to help you turn better.

Let’s Make It Happen

So, here’s my take. It’s designed in California, developed in Ohio, and built right in Alabama. I love that. It’s an American-made machine that just keeps setting the bar higher.

What I want to know is—what do you guys think about the styling changes? Does that bigger screen move the needle for you? Let me know. I think for families looking for that mix of rugged and refined, this is going to be the one to beat in 2026.