Honda enhanced steering feel and cabin quietness alongside styling and tech upgrades in the facelifted SUV
Honda has introduced the facelifted Pilot, marking three years since the debut of the current generation. The midsize SUV evolves with a tougher front-end design, larger screens, improved steering feel, and a quieter, better-insulated cabin.
On the outside, attention centers on the reworked front section. Revised bumper intakes, a more upright grille, and larger skid plates, each with trim-specific finishes, give the Pilot a more aggressive face. The look leans further into the rugged SUV image, even if it trades a touch of the previous model’s sportier flair for that stance.
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The rest of the bodywork carries over, aside from the slightly revised rear skid plate and the now-standard roof rails. Honda has also introduced new 20-inch wheel designs and three new exterior colors, including Solar Silver Metallic, Smoke Blue Pearl, and the TrailSport-exclusive Ash Green Metallic.
What’s New Inside?
Moving inside, the most noticeable update is the fully digital cockpit, pairing a 10.2-inch instrument cluster with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the earlier 7- or 9-inch setup. The infotainment system adopts a cleaner interface with Google built-in, 5G Wi-Fi, and wireless smartphone connectivity.
The facelifted lineup still consists of six trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition. Each now includes the digital cockpit and a power tailgate as standard.
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Further up the range, the TrailSport gains heated rear outboard seats and optional brown leather with orange stitching, while the Touring trim receives richer materials and a 360-degree camera system. The Elite, meanwhile, adds ultra-suede accents with diamond stitching for a slightly more upmarket feel.
More significant are the measures taken to quiet the cabin. Honda has added semi-tempered door glass, additional insulation in the doors and hood, and other sound-dampening materials. The company claims a reduction of 2–3 dB in “key frequencies,” which should make highway cruising a calmer experience.
In safety safety, the 2026 Pilot benefits from an updated Honda Sensing suite that now includes a Post-Collision Braking system, designed to help reduce secondary impacts after an initial collision.
No Hybrid For Now
Honda has confirmed development of a new hybrid V6 for North America, though this facelifted Pilot remains strictly non-electrified for now.
Under the hood sits the familiar 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 hp (212 kW / 289 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Honda i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system remains optional on the Sport and EX-L trims, and standard on the Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition.
All Pilot variants benefit from retuned electric power steering, which is said to improve stability while offering smoother, more natural feedback. As before, the off-road-focused TrailSport retains its raised suspension and all-terrain tires.
The 2026 Honda Pilot is scheduled to reach US dealerships in December, with pricing details to come closer to launch. The SUV, which has been designed in California and developed in Ohio, is still being manufactured in Alabama.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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