DecodedCars2026 Honda Pilot
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- Sport /EX-L 4dr SUV, Touring / Black Edition 4dr SUV, Trailsport 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 285 hp
- Transmission
- 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 200 in
- Curb weight
- 4,522–4,696 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 27% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Honda Pilot is a small SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,522 lb (Sport /EX-L 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 27% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Pilot — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Pilot →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Lincoln, Alabama
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2026 Pilot configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport /EX-L 4dr SUV | 200 in | 78.3 in | 70.9 in | 113.8 in | 67.7 / 67.7 in | 4,522 lb | 57/43 |
| Touring / Black Edition 4dr SUV | 200 in | 78.3 in | 70.9 in | 113.8 in | 67.7 / 67.7 in | 4,667 lb | 57/43 |
| Trailsport 4dr SUV | 200 in | 78.3 in | 72 in | 113.8 in | 67.3 / 67.3 in | 4,696 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S10) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -27% | $3,050 | 402 |
| Pilot AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +5% | $3,200 | 415 |
| Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +5% | $3,200 | 422 |
| Pilot AWD TrailSport | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | 0% | $3,350 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Honda Pilot.
Similar 2026 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Honda Pilot (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 GMC Yukon | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (1)
Structure › Frame And Members · Jul 1, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V424000 · 3,933 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
- Risk
- Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is OOY. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 10, 2026.
Not every 2026 Honda Pilot is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Pilot years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Pilot | 22 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 216 |
| 2024 Pilot | 22 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 116 |
| 2023 Pilot | 22 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 146 |
| 2022 Pilot | 23 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 169 |
| 2021 Pilot | 23 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 450 |
| 2020 Pilot | 23 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 11 | 492 |
| 2019 Pilot | 23 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 13 | 920 |
| 2018 Pilot | 23 | 194.9 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 440 |
| 2017 Pilot | 23 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 936 |
| 2016 Pilot | 23 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 8 | 1,720 |
| 2015 Pilot | 20 | 191.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 108 |
| 2014 Pilot | 20 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 105 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →