Midsize three-row SUV
2026 Honda Pilot: buying summary
The three-row built for families who actually use the third row
- MSRP range
- $39,300–$53,550
- Body style
- Midsize three-row SUV
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
Pros
- Best third-row ingress/egress in class: walk-in second row with a 9.5-inch pass-through
- 5,000 lb tow rating standard across all AWD trims, no tow package required
- TrailSport trim gets genuine off-road hardware: all-terrain tires, terrain management system, skid plates
- US-built in Lincoln, Alabama — fully tariff-immune on the current import schedule
Cons
- No hybrid powertrain in 2026, a growing weakness as Highlander Hybrid returns 36 mpg vs Pilot's 24
- Infotainment can be sluggish on LX and EX trims; Sport and above are smoother
- Cargo behind the third row (18.0 cu ft) trails Explorer's 18.2 and Grand Highlander's 20.6
- MPG penalty is real: at 12,000 miles/year, the Pilot costs ~$900 more in fuel than the Highlander Hybrid
Best trim: Sport AWD
Sport AWD is the value pick at $45,500. Leather, heated front seats, the larger 9-inch screen (standard from Sport), wireless CarPlay, Honda Sensing, and the walk-in second row. EX-L adds ventilated seats for $2K more — nice in hot climates. Elite is full luxury at $53K; at that price the Telluride SX and Explorer Platinum are worth a cross-shop.
What to cross-shop
- Kia Telluride
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Ford Explorer Hybrid
Verdict
The Pilot is the right call for families who regularly use the third row and need to tow. TrailSport is the best light off-road three-row under $50K. The lack of a hybrid is a real gap in 2026 — if you drive more than 12,000 miles annually, do the math on the Highlander Hybrid's $900/year fuel savings before choosing.
Personalized research
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