2026 Honda Pilot AWD Elite - Review by David Colman +VIDEO

It's An Absolute Blast

David Colman

Story and Photos by David Colman
Special Correspondent
THE AUTO CHANNEL

I was feeling like a tank commander sunk in my turret until I skyjacked my driver's seat high enough to see over the front hood of Honda's new 2026 Pilot. From that raised perch I felt much more confident about 'piloting' Honda's brute through city traffic. Sheer size pays spades when you're contesting road rights, so give this Honda the pecking order edge. Although the Pilot is labeled mid-size, it drives very much full size.

For starters, the Elite model I tested weighed in at 4,964 pounds. It stood forthright and foursquare on model-specific, machine-faced Shark Gray 20 x 8J alloy rims shod with 255/50R20 Bridgestone Alenza A/S (TW 500). Painted a relaxing shade called Sonic Gray Pearl, it looked better than any previous Pilot thanks to a mild external refresh consisting of a gloss blackened grill and more pronounced silver front and rear scuff plates. Under the grill and the tail you'll now see skid plate graphics. These subtle appearance improvements enhance the Pilot's quiet elegance.

The subtle makeover continues when you climb aboard. Your first thought? Now here's an SUV that's going to be really easy to live with. Initial step-in, for example, does not require a running board for assistance, even though the Elite stands tall on those mud and snow-rated Bridgestone 20s. Ensconce yourself in the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, and you'll appreciate that all row 1 and 2 seats are heated (along with the steering wheel) as well as leather trimmed. The Elite model now features diamond quilted Ultrasuede accents on the lower dash and door armrests. Diamond pattern stitching distinguishes panel separation lines. Honda has surfaced the door cards and center console with a subdued laminate reminiscent of '50's Formica.

While the refined cosmetic will soothe your aesthetic sensibility, it's the utter practicality of the interior layout that will clinch the deal. All told, the Pilot Elite will accommodate 8 adult passengers. Access to the third row is eased by sliding the second row split benches forward with a single lever. Honda calls this feature "One Touch," and it also enhances your ability to subdivide the interior space into flat-floor storage, with 19 cubic feet available behind row two, and 49 cubic feet on tap behind row one. The Pilot ranks in the top echelon of all SUVs I've tested for ease of cabin reconfiguration.

While much is made these days of the supremacy of Hybrid power, I am still a firm believer in the simplicity and longevity of straight internal combustion power. In the long run, you will never need to replace electric motors or battery storage packs, which invariably become unaffordable or unavailable over time. Thus, I am more than happy to report that the familiar 3.5-liter V6 workhorse that powers this Honda is an absolute blast to operate, especially since it's connected to all four wheels by a 10-speed transmission. The engine generates 285hp and 262lb.-ft. of torque, producing a 0-60mph run of 7.1 seconds and a quarter mile canter of 15.6 seconds at 90mph. Of course, the downside of a gasoline-fed motor is reduced mileage, and the Pilot posts a mediocre overall rating of 21mpg. Still, it's elating to tap into the power of this engine, and listen to its provocative sound track as it feeds power to all four corners through Honda's i-VTM4 drive system which can send up to 70% of torque to the rear wheels, and up to 100% of that torque to either the left or right side rear wheel. When cornering, the system can transfer 100% of the torque to the outside rear wheel, which produces a yaw moment that alters the Pilot's trajectory through a turn in the needed direction. With its abundant torque output and sophisticated drivetrain, the Pilot makes a good candidate for towing duty, with a trailer rating limit of 5,000 pounds.

Despite its weight and heft, this bruiser of an SUV proved itself amazingly competent when tackling one of the most challenging switchback roads in the state of California: Coast Route 1. An unimpeded, traffic-free, early AM run on my favorite stretch of CA 1 gave me an unexpected opportunity to evaluate the Pilot's handling chops. The harder I pushed it, the better it stuck. Attribute such pure adhesion to fine-tuning of the suspension. The Pilot rocketed off the apexes with its explosive V6 emitting a bellow as the 10-speed skillfully shuffled gears to keep pace. That one drive showed me a side of this rig I would never have expected. The AWD Pilot Elite may look and act like a beast of burden, but it's also capable of offering a level of flat-out performance that will amaze you. Seems there's a little of the Indy 500 in every Honda.

2026 HONDA PILOT AWD ELITE

• ENGINE: 3.5 liter V6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
• HORSEPOWER: 285hp@6100rpm
• TORQUE: 262lb.-ft.@5000rpm
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 19MPG City/25MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: $54,990

HYPES: One Big Beautiful Build

GRIPES: Rear Doors Can Lock You in the Back Seat

STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10

©2026 David E Colman