The 2026 Honda Pilot is a 3-row SUV for families. TrailSport has 7 seats with second-row captain’s chairs; every other trim has 8 seats with a second-row bench. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) at launch ranges from $42,395 to $55,195, excluding destination. Start with how you want the second row arranged, then decide whether you need all-wheel drive (AWD).
These key choices help narrow your Pilot search before you compare equipment.
| Your priority | Pilot trims to consider |
|---|---|
| 8 seats and a second-row bench | Sport, EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition |
| 7 seats and second-row captain’s chairs | TrailSport |
| A choice of FWD or AWD | Sport and EX-L |
| A removable second-row middle seat | EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition |
Use these choices to compare our Pilot configurations and vehicle prices.
The 2026 Honda Pilot offers 6 trims, with separate front-wheel-drive and AWD configurations on Sport and EX-L. Compare drivetrains before moving up the trim lineup.
The launch MSRPs below exclude destination and are separate from our actual vehicle prices.
| Trim | Drivetrain | MSRP at Launch, excluding destination |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | FWD | $42,395 |
| Sport | AWD | $44,495 |
| EX-L | FWD | $44,695 |
| EX-L | AWD | $46,795 |
| TrailSport | AWD | $50,595 |
| Touring | AWD | $51,295 |
| Elite | AWD | $53,695 |
| Black Edition | AWD | $55,195 |
Sport AWD and EX-L FWD make a useful first comparison. Sport AWD puts the budget toward all-wheel drive; EX-L FWD adds a removable second-row middle seat and wireless phone charging. Choose the drivetrain you want before comparing the cabin features.
TrailSport combines captain’s chairs with trail equipment. Touring takes a different direction with an 8-seat cabin, a second-row bench with a removable middle seat and additional convenience features.
The 2026 Pilot’s second-row design matters as much as its seating count. Compare these cabin features:
| Trim | Seats | Second-row arrangement | Removable middle seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | 8 | Second-row bench | No |
| EX-L | 8 | Second-row bench | Yes |
| TrailSport | 7 | Second-row captain’s chairs | No |
| Touring | 8 | Second-row bench | Yes |
| Elite | 8 | Second-row bench | Yes |
| Black Edition | 8 | Second-row bench | Yes |
Decide whether you want a middle seating position available before choosing TrailSport. Its captain’s chairs make it a distinct cabin choice rather than a direct substitute for Touring.
These standard cargo measurements show the space behind each row.
| Trim group | Behind third row | Behind second row | Behind first row |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport, EX-L, TrailSport and Touring | 18.6 cubic feet | 48.5 cubic feet | 87.0 cubic feet |
| Elite and Black Edition | 18.6 cubic feet | 48.5 cubic feet | 86.5 cubic feet |
Start with the behind-third-row measurement if you expect to use every seating row regularly. The behind-second-row figure requires folding the third row; the behind-first-row figure requires folding both rear rows. They do not represent cargo room with every seat occupied.
Give the second-row arrangement more weight in your trim choice than the small difference in standard cargo volume behind the first row.
Every 2026 Pilot trim uses a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 hp and 262 lb-ft, paired with a 10-speed automatic. A higher trim changes equipment rather than engine output. The automatic includes Shift-By-Wire and paddle shifters.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mileage estimates and maximum towing ratings differ by Pilot configuration.
| Configuration | EPA city / highway / combined MPG | Maximum towing |
|---|---|---|
| Sport and EX-L FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 | 3,500 pounds |
| Sport, EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 | 5,000 pounds |
| TrailSport AWD | 18 / 23 / 20 | 5,000 pounds |
EPA estimates are comparison figures; actual mileage varies. Towing requires accessory towing equipment.
The Pilot’s AWD system is second-generation i-VTM4. Front-wheel drive gives Sport and EX-L the highest highway estimate in the lineup, while AWD raises the maximum towing rating. TrailSport has its own mileage estimates, so use its row when weighing that trim.
For towing, compare the loaded trailer’s weight with the rating for the drivetrain you choose. Then check the towing equipment on the individual vehicle. TrailSport’s standard hitch receiver does not include a connector or ball, so the receiver alone is not a complete towing setup.
Choose your 2026 Pilot trim around the seating arrangement and features you expect to use. We would start with Sport or EX-L, then move to the other trims for a specific reason.
Sport is the starting point when the Pilot’s standard equipment meets your needs. It shares the engine, touchscreen and smartphone compatibility found throughout the lineup. You can choose AWD without moving to a different trim.
EX-L is our starting recommendation if second-row flexibility matters. It adds a removable middle seat, leather-trimmed seats with fabric accents and Qi wireless phone charging. EX-L is also the first trim with Low Speed Braking Control and parking sensors.
The removable middle seat continues on Touring, Elite and Black Edition. Qi charging and the additional parking equipment continue on TrailSport and those 3 trims. Those are useful reasons to move beyond Sport without assuming you need the highest trim.
TrailSport is the choice for captain’s chairs and trail equipment. Its hardware includes 18-inch wheels with Rugged Terrain all-season tires, a full-size spare and underbody skid plates. It also has an integrated front recovery point and a rear recovery point at the hitch receiver. Inside, durable synthetic leather has Trail Orange stitching.
Touring is our pick for upgraded audio while keeping the second-row bench and 8 seats. Its Bose Premium system has 12 speakers, including a subwoofer, compared with the 245-watt, 9-speaker system with a subwoofer in Sport, EX-L and TrailSport. Touring also has leather-trimmed seats and a power lift tailgate with hands-free access and Walk Away Close. That Bose system and hands-free tailgate are also included on Elite and on Black Edition.
The 4 upper trims share a panoramic moonroof with tilt and slide.
Heated front seats are included on every trim. Elite adds ventilated front seats to the equipment available on Touring. Black Edition also includes them. Both have perforated leather-trimmed seats with Ultrasuede accents. Black Edition carries a higher launch MSRP; the seating, audio and comfort features compared here are shared with Elite.
A heated steering wheel, heated second-row outboard seats and a second-row 115-volt outlet are standard on TrailSport, Elite and Black Edition. Touring does not include the heated steering wheel or that outlet.
Our recommendation is to choose EX-L for its flexible second row and added everyday equipment, TrailSport when captain’s chairs and trail hardware are priorities, or Touring for its audio and tailgate features. Move to Elite when front-seat ventilation is on your must-have list. For those features, Elite is our pick over Black Edition.
Every 2026 Pilot includes a 12.3-inch color touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Google built-in includes 3 years of data for in-vehicle apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard across the lineup.
Honda Sensing is standard on every Pilot trim. Its driver-assistance features include:
These are driver-assistance features; they do not make the Pilot autonomous.
Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Monitor come standard across the lineup. Driver Attention Monitor and Auto High-Beam are also standard.
Every trim except Sport has 4 front and 4 rear parking sensors. TrailSport and Touring add a Multiview Camera System, Front Camera Washer and TrailWatch, as do Black Edition and Elite. You can therefore choose the camera equipment without choosing TrailSport.
Both the FWD and AWD 2026 Pilot have a 5-star National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) overall safety rating. That is the overall rating, not a claim that every individual test earned the same result.
These are the 2026 Pilot’s limited-warranty terms and roadside-assistance benefit.
| Coverage or benefit | Term |
|---|---|
| New-vehicle limited warranty | 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| Powertrain limited warranty | 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| Corrosion limited warranty | 5 years with unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | During the 3-year/36,000-mile limited-warranty term; limitations apply |
Roadside assistance is an assistance benefit rather than an additional vehicle warranty.
We serve Central Indiana from Indianapolis’ east side. Once you have a Pilot trim and drivetrain in mind, use the inventory link above to compare actual vehicle prices.
Review current new Honda specials as part of your shopping process. For the financing side of your purchase, explore our financing information.
For ownership support, our Review and Approve service process covers findings, recommendations, estimated cost and timing before you authorize additional payments for service work.
When you are ready to compare the cabins in person, plan your visit to Shadeland Ave. Bring your seating and equipment priorities so you can focus your comparison.
EX-L is a useful starting point if you want second-row flexibility, wireless phone charging and parking sensors. Choose TrailSport for its trail hardware and captain’s chairs, Touring for Bose audio and the hands-free tailgate, or Elite for ventilated front seats. Compare Pilot trim listings to narrow the choice to individual vehicles.
MSRP at Launch starts at $42,395 for Sport FWD and reaches $55,195 for Black Edition AWD, excluding destination. The launch-price table above lists every priced configuration. For actual vehicle prices, check our Pilot inventory.
Every trim except TrailSport seats 8 and has a second-row bench. TrailSport seats 7 and has second-row captain’s chairs. The bench trims other than Sport include a removable second-row middle seat.
TrailSport, Touring, Black Edition and Elite have second-generation i-VTM4 AWD standard. Sport and EX-L offer a choice of front-wheel drive or AWD.
AWD configurations have a maximum towing rating of 5,000 pounds. Sport and EX-L FWD have a maximum rating of 3,500 pounds. Towing requires accessory towing equipment, and TrailSport’s standard receiver does not include a connector or ball.
Standard cargo volume behind the third row is 18.6 cubic feet on every trim. The behind-second-row figure requires folding the third row, while the behind-first-row figure requires folding both rear rows.
Yes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on every trim. Wireless phone charging is separate equipment and is included on every trim except Sport.
No. TrailSport, Touring and Elite include TrailWatch, a Multiview Camera System and a Front Camera Washer. Black Edition includes all 3 as well. Touring is an option if you want that equipment with a second-row bench and removable middle seat.
The Pilot has a 3-year/36,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty. Roadside assistance is provided during the 3-year/36,000-mile limited-warranty term, with limitations.
If you are still deciding which SUV suits your needs, browse Honda Passport configurations alongside the Pilot trims above.
