Pilot FAQ

Our buyer's guide rates it: Buy.

The 2026 Pilot pairs a 285-hp V-6 with a 10-speed automatic across nine trims running from the $42,395 Sport FWD to the loaded Black Edition, with FWD trims reaching 22 mpg combined versus 21 mpg combined once you add AWD.

The Pilot ranges from $42,395 (Sport FWD) to $55,195 (Black Edition) across 9 trims.

The Pilot ranges from $42,395 (Sport FWD) to $55,195 (Black Edition) across 9 trims. Prices are starting MSRP and exclude taxes and fees.

The Pilot comes in 9 trims: Sport FWD, Sport AWD, EX-L FWD, EX-L AWD, TrailSport, Touring, Touring S, Elite, Black Edition.

The Pilot is offered in 9 trims (Sport FWD, Sport AWD, EX-L FWD, EX-L AWD, TrailSport, Touring, Touring S, Elite, Black Edition). Higher trims layer on equipment and features; see the trim comparison for exactly what each one adds.

The EX-L AWD at $46,795 is the sweet spot for most buyers — it adds AWD and a meaningful feature step up from the Sport AWD for a modest premium, while stopping well short of the $50K-plus upper trims.

The EX-L AWD at $46,795 is the sweet spot for most buyers — it adds AWD and a meaningful feature step up from the Sport AWD for a modest premium, while stopping well short of the $50K-plus upper trims. Families who rarely leave pavement and want to save money can look at the EX-L FWD at $44,695, which returns 22 mpg combined versus 21 mpg combined for the AWD version.

Sport FWD ($42,395) and Sport AWD ($44,495) are the entry points, with the AWD version trading a small efficiency edge (22 mpg combined vs.

Sport FWD ($42,395) and Sport AWD ($44,495) are the entry points, with the AWD version trading a small efficiency edge (22 mpg combined vs. 21 mpg combined) for all-wheel traction. The EX-L trims — available in FWD ($44,695) or AWD ($46,795) — add a higher content level at a modest price jump over their Sport counterparts, with the same powertrain and seating capacity throughout.

The TrailSport ($50,595) is the only trim tuned for off-road use, and it's the only one that seats 7 rather than 8.

The TrailSport ($50,595) is the only trim tuned for off-road use, and it's the only one that seats 7 rather than 8. It also returns slightly lower fuel economy than other AWD trims — 20 mpg combined versus 21 mpg combined — which is a reasonable trade-off if you actually use the capability; if you don't, the Touring at $51,295 gives you AWD, 8 seats, and better efficiency.

Most trims seat 8, but the TrailSport seats 7 — its off-road-oriented second row likely uses captain's chairs rather than a bench.

Most trims seat 8, but the TrailSport seats 7 — its off-road-oriented second row likely uses captain's chairs rather than a bench. If a full eight-passenger count matters to your family, every other trim in the lineup delivers it.

All four are AWD, share the same 285 hp V-6 and 10-speed automatic, and return 21 mpg combined, so the differences come down to content and price — $51,295, $52,495, $53,695, and $55,195 respectively.

All four are AWD, share the same 285 hp V-6 and 10-speed automatic, and return 21 mpg combined, so the differences come down to content and price — $51,295, $52,495, $53,695, and $55,195 respectively. The Elite and Black Edition have a marginally smaller maximum cargo volume (86.5 cu ft vs. 87 cu ft), likely due to a different rear seat configuration. Choose based on which feature packages matter to you, since the driving experience is identical across all four.

18-inch wheels are available on the EX-L FWD, EX-L AWD, TrailSport.

The diameter of the wheels fitted to the car. Larger wheels change the stance; smaller wheels tend to ride more comfortably. 18-inch wheels are available on the EX-L FWD, EX-L AWD, TrailSport.

20-inch wheels are available on the Sport FWD, Sport AWD, Touring, Touring S, Elite, Black Edition.

The diameter of the wheels fitted to the car. Larger wheels change the stance; smaller wheels tend to ride more comfortably. 20-inch wheels are available on the Sport FWD, Sport AWD, Touring, Touring S, Elite, Black Edition.

Yes — 10-Speed Automatic is standard on every Pilot trim.

How the engine's power is geared and delivered to the wheels. It shapes how the car responds when you accelerate and how it settles at a cruise. Yes — 10-Speed Automatic is standard on every Pilot trim.

Yes — 285 horsepower is standard on every Pilot trim.

Peak power the engine — or, on a hybrid, the combined system — can produce. More horsepower generally means easier merging, passing, and confident acceleration. Yes — 285 horsepower is standard on every Pilot trim.

All Wheel Drive is available on the Sport AWD, EX-L AWD, TrailSport, Touring, Touring S, Elite, Black Edition.

Which wheels the engine actually drives. It affects traction, cabin packaging, and confidence in poor weather. All Wheel Drive is available on the Sport AWD, EX-L AWD, TrailSport, Touring, Touring S, Elite, Black Edition.

FWD models (Sport FWD and EX-L FWD) return 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

FWD models (Sport FWD and EX-L FWD) return 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (22 mpg combined). AWD versions of the Sport, EX-L, Touring, Touring S, Elite, and Black Edition trim out at 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (21 mpg combined). The TrailSport, also AWD, is slightly lower at 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (20 mpg combined), likely due to its off-road-tuned hardware.

154.9 cu-ft passenger volume is available on the TrailSport, Touring, Touring S, Elite, Black Edition.

The total interior space measured for passengers. More passenger volume means more room to stretch out, front and back. 154.9 cu-ft passenger volume is available on the TrailSport, Touring, Touring S, Elite, Black Edition.

158.4 cu-ft passenger volume is available on the Sport FWD, Sport AWD, EX-L FWD, EX-L AWD.

The total interior space measured for passengers. More passenger volume means more room to stretch out, front and back. 158.4 cu-ft passenger volume is available on the Sport FWD, Sport AWD, EX-L FWD, EX-L AWD.

Seating for 7 is available on the TrailSport.

How many occupants the cabin is designed to seat. It determines whether the whole family or carpool rides comfortably. Seating for 7 is available on the TrailSport.

86.5 cu-ft of cargo space is available on the Elite, Black Edition.

How much the trunk holds with the rear seats up. It sets how much luggage, gear, or groceries you can carry. 86.5 cu-ft of cargo space is available on the Elite, Black Edition.

87 cu-ft of cargo space is available on the Sport FWD, Sport AWD, EX-L FWD, EX-L AWD, TrailSport, Touring, Touring S.

How much the trunk holds with the rear seats up. It sets how much luggage, gear, or groceries you can carry. 87 cu-ft of cargo space is available on the Sport FWD, Sport AWD, EX-L FWD, EX-L AWD, TrailSport, Touring, Touring S.

There is 1 recall campaign on record for the Pilot.

There is 1 recall campaign on record for the Pilot. Recall data comes from NHTSA; check the recall center for the latest campaigns and remedies.

See our full breakdown: Pilot vs Passport.

We have a detailed side-by-side comparison — Pilot vs Passport — covering price, fuel economy, space, and features.

See our full breakdown: Pilot vs palisade.

We have a detailed side-by-side comparison — Pilot vs palisade — covering price, fuel economy, space, and features.

See our full breakdown: Pilot vs Murano.

We have a detailed side-by-side comparison — Pilot vs Murano — covering price, fuel economy, space, and features.

See our full breakdown: Pilot vs Ascent.

We have a detailed side-by-side comparison — Pilot vs Ascent — covering price, fuel economy, space, and features.

See our full breakdown: Pilot vs 4Runner.

We have a detailed side-by-side comparison — Pilot vs 4Runner — covering price, fuel economy, space, and features.

The Pilot competes squarely with three-row family haulers like the Palisade and Ascent on comfort and practicality, while the TrailSport trim puts it in conversation with the 4Runner for buyers who want occasional off-road ability without sacrificing daily usability.

The Pilot competes squarely with three-row family haulers like the Palisade and Ascent on comfort and practicality, while the TrailSport trim puts it in conversation with the 4Runner for buyers who want occasional off-road ability without sacrificing daily usability. The Pilot's 3.5L V-6 with 285 hp and a 10-speed automatic is a more refined highway setup than the 4Runner's older powertrain, though the 4Runner has a stronger off-road pedigree; the Palisade and Ascent are closer rivals for pure family-hauling duty.