Honda gives the Pilot a quiet but pointed refresh
Honda has revealed a mildly updated Pilot for the 2026 model year, a set of tweaks delivered with the air of a discreet birthday toast to itself. The family SUV reaches United States showrooms next month, and Honda insists it will keep its place in a segment where rivals breathe steadily down its neck.
The essentials are easy to list. A larger central display that measures about 31.2 centimetres, a quieter cabin, more standard equipment and a tidied front end. Every version now includes wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 5G connection. The TrailSport gains heated second row seats and a new brown interior option. The Touring model finally receives a full surround camera view, while the higher trims show off Ultra Suede accents.
The bonnet hides the same 3.5 litre V6 paired with a ten speed automatic gearbox. Four wheel drive now shifts torque with a bit more judgement, which should keep both motorway and forest track running smoothly. Safety upgrades include a post collision braking system, and the full Honda Sensing suite remains standard. The Pilot does not try to reinvent the class, it simply sharpens what mattered already, leaving competitors with little space to overthink their next move.
The update fits a broader trend. Family cars drift steadily toward greater comfort and digital polish to keep pace with refreshed versions of rivals such as the Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade. Honda avoids headline grabbing technical surprises, yet strengthens its position in a class where buyers expect more convenience and fewer compromises. The bigger screen and quieter ride may prove enough to keep the Pilot near the front of the pack, even if the language of the press material occasionally accelerates faster than the cabin equipment itself.
