2026 Honda Pilot Breaks Cover With Major Comfort And Tech Upgrades

GaadiWaadi –

Honda rolls out a mid-cycle refresh for its flagship three-row SUV, offered in seven- and eight-seat layouts internationally

The Honda Pilot, the Japanese automaker’s direct rival to the India-bound Hyundai Palisade, has received a facelift. In the U.S., the upgraded model will go on sale as a MY2026 vehicle in December.

The 2026 Pilot largely carries over the design Honda introduced for its fourth generation in November 2022. Boxier front grilles, a more upright front bumper, more prominent skid plates, and new 20-inch alloy wheels available in Shark Gray and Berlina Black finishes give the updated model a more rugged styling.

Overall, the Honda Pilot continues with conventional looks, something purists will appreciate. The same goes for the interior, where design changes are even fewer. Honda has replaced the Pilot’s 9-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system with a new 12.3-inch HD unit.

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In addition to a larger display, the new infotainment system offers added convenience with Google built-in, meaning essential services like Google Maps and Google Voice are accessible via native apps, without the need to pair a smartphone. Moreover, unlike the old unit, it offers 5G Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, giving occupants faster internet access on the go.

A new hood insulator, new semi-tempered door glass, door insulators, and other sound-absorbing technologies have made the Honda Pilot quieter, improving comfort and offering a more refined driving experience. Power still comes from a standard 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 355 Nm of torque.

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Also standard is a 10-speed automatic transmission, which directs drive to the front wheels in the base configuration. A mechanical all-wheel drive system will be available as an option for better traction on snow, mud, and other challenging terrain.

The 2026 Honda Pilot will likely cost somewhere around $40,500 (approximately 36 lakh rupees) in the base configuration and around $55,000 (approximately 49 lakh rupees) in the top configuration. Destination and handling fees of around $1,500 (approximately 1.3 lakh rupees), tax, and license and registration costs would be extra.

Honda manufactures the Pilot only in left-hand drive, which rules out any possibility of an Indian launch. While the company won’t be bringing the three-row ICE SUV to India, it has confirmed plans to launch its upcoming flagship electric SUV – the 0 SUV, later this decade.