The 2026 Pilot pairs a strong, unchanged 285-hp V-6 with 8-passenger seating and available AWD across most of a nine-trim lineup, making it a safe, capable pick for families who don't need a hybrid.
Most Pilot trims seat 8, which matters if you regularly haul more than five people.
Seven of nine trims offer All Wheel Drive, so you're not stuck choosing between features and traction.
The V-6/10-speed combo is conventional and consistent across the entire lineup — nothing to second-guess.
City mpg tops out at 19 across every trim; this isn't the pick if low fuel bills are the priority.
There's no hybrid or EV variant in this lineup — it's V-6 gas across the board.
Even the cheapest trim, Sport FWD, starts above $42K before options.
The entry point into the Pilot lineup, and it still gets the full 285-hp V-6 and 8-passenger seating — you're not sacrificing power to save money here.
Adds All Wheel Drive over the base Sport FWD for a modest premium, without jumping into EX-L-and-up pricing — the sweet spot if traction matters more than leather.
Splits the difference between Sport AWD's value and Touring/Elite's higher prices, adding leather trim while keeping AWD and full seating capacity.
The top of the lineup by price and features — not the value pick, but the one to get if you want the most-loaded Pilot cabin with AWD and full seating.
*MSRP excludes destination charge.
| Vehicle | Choose It If… |
|---|---|
| Toyota 4Runner | You want a more off-road-focused SUV over outright cargo and 8-seat versatility. |
| Nissan Murano | You don't need 3-row seating and prioritize a smaller footprint. |
| Subaru Ascent | Standard AWD across the entire lineup matters more than trim-by-trim choice. |
| Dodge Durango | You want more available power at the top of the lineup. |
| Honda Passport | You want a 2-row, more rugged-styled Honda SUV instead. |
| Jeep Wrangler | Off-road capability matters more than 3-row family seating. |
| Hyundai Palisade | You want to compare feature content and pricing against another 3-row family SUV. |
The Pilot is a straightforward buy for families who want proven V-6 power, real 8-seat capacity, and AWD without needing to climb to the top trim.
You need 3-row seating, want AWD, and don't require hybrid fuel economy.
You're waiting to see if Honda adds an electrified Pilot variant.
Fuel economy or off-road capability is your top priority over cargo and seating flexibility.