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Pilot FAQ

Your complete Pilot answer center — every question buyers ask, from price and trims to safety and ownership, answered from verified data and organized so you can find it fast.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything buyers ask about the Pilot — searchable, organized, and answered from verified data.

28 questions

Buying Decision 2

Is the Pilot worth buying?

Our buyer's guide rates it: Buy.

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.

Who is the 2026 Pilot Black Edition for, and is it worth the premium?

The Black Edition at $55,195 is the priciest Pilot and is aimed at buyers who want a distinctive appearance package on top of the Elite's feature content — it shares the same 8-seat, AWD, 285-hp mechanicals and 86.

The Black Edition at $55,195 is the priciest Pilot and is aimed at buyers who want a distinctive appearance package on top of the Elite's feature content — it shares the same 8-seat, AWD, 285-hp mechanicals and 86.5 cu ft cargo volume. If the styling doesn't matter to you, the Touring or Touring S delivers very similar utility for several thousand dollars less.

Price & Value 1

How much does the Pilot cost?

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.

Trim Differences 5

What are the differences between the Pilot trims?

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.

Which 2026 Pilot trim is the best value for most families?

The EX-L AWD at $46,795 is the sweet spot for most buyers — it adds AWD and premium content over the base Sport trims while stopping well short of the $50K-plus upper tier.

The EX-L AWD at $46,795 is the sweet spot for most buyers — it adds AWD and premium content over the base Sport trims while stopping well short of the $50K-plus upper tier. If AWD isn't a priority, the EX-L FWD at $44,695 delivers the same feature set for a bit less.

What's the difference between the Sport FWD and Sport AWD trims?

The Sport FWD starts at $42,395 and returns 22 mpg combined; the Sport AWD is $2,100 more at $44,495 and drops to 21 mpg combined — a small efficiency trade-off for all-weather traction.

The Sport FWD starts at $42,395 and returns 22 mpg combined; the Sport AWD is $2,100 more at $44,495 and drops to 21 mpg combined — a small efficiency trade-off for all-weather traction. Both seat 8 and share the same 285-hp 3.5L V-6 and 10-speed automatic.

Does the TrailSport seat as many passengers as other Pilot trims?

No — the TrailSport seats 7, while most other trims seat 8.

No — the TrailSport seats 7, while most other trims seat 8. It also returns slightly lower fuel economy (20 mpg combined vs. 21 on most AWD trims), likely due to its off-road-oriented setup.

What's the difference between the Touring, Touring S, and Elite trims?

All three are AWD-only and seat 8, but they step up in price from $51,295 (Touring) to $52,495 (Touring S) to $53,695 (Elite).

All three are AWD-only and seat 8, but they step up in price from $51,295 (Touring) to $52,495 (Touring S) to $53,695 (Elite). The Elite's maximum cargo volume drops slightly to 86.5 cu ft versus 87 cu ft on the Touring and Touring S, which may reflect a different second-row seat configuration.

Features 4

What engine and transmission does the 2026 Pilot use?

Every Pilot in the lineup uses a 3.

Every Pilot in the lineup uses a 3.5L V-6 producing 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic — there are no hybrid or electric options in this generation.

Is AWD standard on the 2026 Pilot, or do I have to pay extra for it?

AWD is optional on the Sport and EX-L trims (adding roughly $2,100–$2,300 over their FWD counterparts) and standard on every trim from TrailSport upward.

AWD is optional on the Sport and EX-L trims (adding roughly $2,100–$2,300 over their FWD counterparts) and standard on every trim from TrailSport upward. The Sport FWD and EX-L FWD are the only front-wheel-drive options in the lineup.

Which Pilot trims have 18-inch wheels?

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

Which Pilot trims have 20-inch wheels?

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

Performance 3

Does the Pilot have 10-Speed Automatic?

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.

Does the Pilot have 285 horsepower?

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.

Which Pilot trims have All Wheel Drive?

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.

Fuel Economy 1

How does fuel economy compare across the Pilot lineup?

FWD trims (Sport FWD, EX-L FWD) lead the lineup at 22 mpg combined; most AWD trims return 21 mpg combined; the TrailSport is the least efficient at 20 mpg combined.

FWD trims (Sport FWD, EX-L FWD) lead the lineup at 22 mpg combined; most AWD trims return 21 mpg combined; the TrailSport is the least efficient at 20 mpg combined. All trims use regular gasoline and share the same 18.5-gallon tank.

Interior 3

Which Pilot trims have 154.9 cu-ft passenger volume?

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.

Which Pilot trims have 158.4 cu-ft passenger volume?

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.

Which Pilot trims have Seating for 7?

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.

Cargo 2

Which Pilot trims have 86.5 cu-ft of cargo space?

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.

Which Pilot trims have 87 cu-ft of cargo space?

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.

Ownership 1

Does the Pilot have any recalls?

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.

Comparisons 6

How does the Pilot compare to the palisade?

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.

How does the Pilot compare to the Wrangler?

See our full breakdown: Pilot vs Wrangler.

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

How does the Pilot compare to the 4Runner?

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.

How does the Pilot compare to the Murano?

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.

How does the Pilot compare to the Ascent?

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.

How does the Pilot compare to the Passport?

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.

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