How do you make something awesome even better? This was the problem the folks at Honda faced when they had to come up with a mid-generation refresh for the brand's three-row midsize SUV. The answer for the 2026 Honda Pilot is to deliver the most technologically advanced model yet. 

In its fourth generation since 2023, the Pilot delivers exceptional performance, known for its flexible storage capacity and passenger-carrying capabilities. With improvements in infotainment, driver assistance, performance, comfort, and convenience, drivers like you who choose a 2026 Pilot are sure to be impressed by its standard features.

The place to go to find the 2026 Pilot is Route 22 Honda. We are a Honda dealership with the full lineup of new Pilot models to choose from. This means that when you shop with us, you will get the model you want with the features and trim level you desire.

Bigger and Better Infotainment 

One of the most significant improvements on the 2026 Honda Pilot is the infotainment system. Where the 2025 Pilot featured a seven-inch or nine-inch screen, the new one has a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. 

This is the largest ever offered on a Pilot model—a full 37% bigger than last year's model—and it will make scrolling through apps and following map directions easier than ever. The best part is that you no longer have to pay extra or move up to a higher trim level in order to get the larger screen on your new Pilot.

The improvements to the infotainment system go beyond just having a larger screen. The Pilot now comes with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This lets you connect your smartphone even if you have left your charging cables at home. 

Now, you just need to use your smartphone to access Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, depending on your phone's operating system. Once connected, you can safely make hands-free calls and texts, while also streaming your favorite music over the Pilot's audio system.

Honda has also made Google built-in standard on the infotainment system. This integrates core services like Google Maps, Google Play Store, and Google Assistant, so you can use these features hands-free as well. Just a simple voice command will let you get directions on Google Maps, or have Google Assistant set the Pilot's climate controls, or find you and your family a delicious place to eat along the way.

Your Pilot will also help you and your passengers stay connected wherever you go. The 2026 model has a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, which will come in handy if you go camping in remote areas or have other issues connecting to the internet. 

Improved Driving Experience 

The 2026 Honda Pilot features a standard 3.5-liter V6 gas engine paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This is the same powertrain Honda has used for the model since the fourth generation began in 2023. 

It delivers an impressive output of 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, making it capable of towing up to 5,000 lbs. Honda's i-VTM all-wheel drive system is available (or standard) on all trim levels, letting you decide if you'd prefer the added traction of all-wheel drive instead of the slightly better fuel efficiency of front-wheel drive. 

Honda has improved the steering feel and precision on the Pilot. This is the result of a retuned electric power steering (EPS) system that has made it more responsive, with a smooth, direct feel. The steering system's on-center weight has also been increased for greater stability and a more relaxed feel while cruising on the highway. 

You will also notice improvements in the driver information display. Honda has increased it to 10.2 inches across all trim levels, making it easier to see critical information such as the speedometer, odometer, tachometer, and warning lights. In fact, this screen is 43% larger than on the 2025 Pilot, giving you improved visibility and a more immersive driving experience. 

One thing you are sure to notice is the quieter ride on the 2026 Pilot. Honda has added semi-tempered door glass, door insulators, a new hood insulator, and other sound-absorbing technologies that reduce the transmission of engine, road, and wind noise. This has resulted in two to three decibels of cabin noise reduction over key frequencies. As a result, you and your passenger will enjoy a more peaceful ride in your Pilot.

More Standard Safety Features

Honda has always put a premium on passenger safety. Going back to its origins, the brand has always worked to keep passengers safe by improving its vehicles' crash-test ratings and enhancing accident-avoidance systems. 

This is why the Honda Pilot was once again named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[a] Each year, the IIHS performs crash tests on most passenger vehicles sold in America, with the ones that rank the best being listed as Top Safety Picks. This is the case with the 2026 Pilot, which continues its legacy of being a remarkably safe midsize SUV.

A large reason for the Pilot's success is its Honda Sensing suite of active driver assistance features. This system detects potential hazards on the road and warns you so you can take evasive action. 

For example, the Collision Mitigation Braking System detects a potential front-end collision, and the Forward Collision Warning alerts you that you may collide with the vehicle ahead. This gives you the time to react to the situation, while the system engages the emergency brakes to either avoid or reduce the impact of the accident.

The 2026 Pilot adds a new standard feature to the Honda Sensing suite. Post-Collision Braking will help keep you safe in the event of an accident. Secondary collisions often occur after a vehicle is struck; the vehicle may veer into another lane, causing further accidents. This can be catastrophic when the trajectory places your vehicle into oncoming traffic. 

Post-Collision Braking helps to avoid this. When the system detects that the Pilot has been struck by another vehicle, it will engage the emergency brakes to bring the Pilot to a stop, helping to reduce the chances of additional collisions. This is all part of Honda's efforts to keep you and your passengers safe wherever you go.

Flexible Storage Space

One of the advantages of a three-row SUV like the Pilot is its flexible storage. If you need to move some belongings, you can fold down the third row to free up 48.5 cu.ft. of space—a clear improvement over the Pilot's already impressive 18.6 cu.ft. of space in its trunk. When you have really large objects to move, like your latest DIY home improvement project, you can also fold down the second row to give you an incredible 87 cu.ft. of space.

In the past, it was difficult to open the trunk when your hands were full of packages from your latest shopping trip; you'd have to juggle the parcels while getting to your keys to open the Pilot's trunk. This is no longer the case, as every 2026 Pilot now has a power-lift tailgate. This makes it easier to open the trunk to get your belongings inside. In the past, you would have had to move up to the EX-L trim to get this feature.

You also get a set of roof rails on your Pilot. These not only look cool but also provide additional storage for your vehicle. For example, if you are into skiing, you can easily and safely mount a ski rack on your Pilot. This feature used to be available only on the EX-L and higher trims; it is now standard on all 2026 Honda Pilot trims. 

Make Your Next SUV a 2026 Pilot

The 2026 Pilot has been taken to the next level through innovation and technology. Honda has found a way to make this impressive model even better, with improved driving experience, a quieter cabin, a more advanced infotainment system, improved storage capabilities, and more active driver assistance features. 

The best part is that each of these improvements is a standard feature on the Pilot, so you don't have to pay extra to get them. Come in today and see why your next three-row SUV should be a 2026 Pilot!