2026 Honda Pilot Gets Modern Interior, New Colors, And More Standard Features

Honda has given the Pilot a fairly noticeable glow-up, and the first impression is that the SUV finally looks a bit tougher. The front end gets the biggest attitude change thanks to reshaped intakes, a more upright grille, and chunkier skid plates. Each trim gets its own finish, so the look can lean family-friendly or adventure-ready depending on what you pick.

The rest of the exterior hasn’t changed dramatically, but there are small upgrades everywhere you look. The rear skid plate has been refreshed, roof rails now come standard, and Honda added a few new wheel designs. Three new paint options join the menu, too: Solar Silver Metallic, Smoke Blue Pearl, and Ash Green Metallic, which is exclusive to the TrailSport.

Inside, Honda finally gives the Pilot the kind of tech setup that feels modern. The old screens are gone, replaced with a fully digital cockpit made up of a 10.2-inch cluster and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display. The system runs Google built-in, supports wireless phone connections, and even includes 5G Wi-Fi. It’s cleaner, faster, and feels nicer to live with.

The trims stay the same, with Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition-but every single one now comes standard with the digital cockpit and a power tailgate, which is a welcome change.

Higher trims get some quality-of-life updates as well. The TrailSport adds heated rear seats and offers new brown leather with orange stitching. The Touring gets upgraded materials and a 360-degree camera. If you go all the way up to the Elite, you get ultrasuede accents with diamond stitching that make the cabin feel surprisingly upscale for a family SUV.

Honda also worked on quieting the cabin. New sound-damping materials, semi-tempered side glass, and extra insulation around the doors and hood reportedly drop highway noise by a couple of decibels. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of improvement you actually notice on road trips. Safety tech gets an update, too. Honda Sensing now includes Post-Collision Braking, which helps stop the vehicle after an impact to avoid secondary crashes.

Under the hood, things are familiar. Although Honda is developing a hybrid V6 for the U.S., the updated Pilot continues to utilize the same 3.5-liter V6, producing 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is optional on the lower trims and standard on the upper ones. The steering system has been retuned for smoother feedback, and the TrailSport keeps its lifted suspension and all-terrain tires. The refreshed 2026 Honda Pilot arrives in U.S. dealerships this December, with pricing to be shared closer to launch.