The 2025 Honda Pilot Elite is a 3-row family SUV with V6 punch, 5,000 lb towing, and a flexible 8-passenger interior — Honda's answer to the Telluride/Palisade.
What changed for the 2026 Honda Pilot, and why it costs $1,995 more
Kelley Blue Book's December 16, 2025 pricing report says the 2026 Honda Pilot costs $1,995 more than the 2025 model. For 2026, a 12.3-inch touchscreen becomes standard across the lineup, the instrument cluster grows from 7 inches to 10.2 inches, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto become standard.
Kelley Blue Book also says every 2026 Pilot gets a standard power liftgate and extra sound-deadening material intended to reduce cabin noise. The higher price therefore arrives alongside more standard equipment rather than a new powertrain: Honda's published specifications show every 2026 Pilot still uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic.
| Trim | Drive | MSRP including destination |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | Front-wheel drive | $43,690 |
| Sport | All-wheel drive | $45,790 |
| EX-L | Front-wheel drive | $45,990 |
| EX-L | All-wheel drive | $48,090 |
| TrailSport | All-wheel drive | $51,890 |
| Touring | All-wheel drive | $52,590 |
| Elite | All-wheel drive | $54,990 |
| Black Edition | All-wheel drive | $56,490 |
Kelley Blue Book's December 16, 2025 pricing puts the front-drive Sport at $43,690 including the $1,495 destination charge, while the all-wheel-drive Sport costs $45,790. The Elite is $54,990 including destination, the Touring $52,590 and the Black Edition $56,490 - a $12,800 spread from the cheapest Pilot to the dearest.
Vehicle Overview
| Vehicle Segment | SUV |
| Body Style | 3-row mid-size SUV |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Trim/Variant Reviewed | Elite |
| Available Trims | Sport, EX-L, Touring, Elite, TrailSport, Black Edition |
Key Specifications (Honda Pilot Elite)
| Engine | 3.5L V6 |
| Power | 285 hp, 355 Nm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| EPA MPG | 19 city / 25 hwy / 21 combined |
| Drivetrain | AWD (i-VTM4) |
0–60 mph: 6.8s
| Dimensions | 199.9" L × 78.5" W × 71.0" H |
| Curb weight | 4,623 lb |
| Cargo | 18.6 cu ft (87 max) |
| Towing | Up to 5,000 lb |
| Seats | 8 |
Exterior Design
Squared-off, modernized styling for the 4th-gen
20" alloys on Elite
Available panoramic moonroof
Interior, Comfort & Materials
Standard 9" touchscreen, available 10.2" digital cluster
Heated/ventilated front and second-row seats on Elite
8-passenger seating standard; 7-passenger captain's chairs available
Features & Infotainment
Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
12-speaker Bose audio
Hands-free tailgate
Safety & Ratings
Honda Sensing 360+ standard
Honda Pilot safety ratings and recalls
Honda's August 2026 safety release named four 2026 models with IIHS awards: the Passport and HR-V earned TOP SAFETY PICK+, while the Civic four-door hatchback and Accord sedan earned TOP SAFETY PICK. The 2026 Pilot was not among the models named in that release. Separately, IIHS awarded the 2025 Honda Pilot TOP SAFETY PICK+.
The same campaign also covers the CR-V and Accord. An NHTSA recall covers certain 2017-2022 Pilot vehicles because the front passenger seat weight sensor can crack and short circuit, which can cause unintended air bag deployment in a crash. Dealers replace the sensors free of charge, and owner letters were mailed July 7, 2026; the recall information provided applies to those 2017-2022 Pilot model years, not the 2026 Pilot.
Driving Performance & Handling
The strongest V6 in its three-row set — 285 hp with a smooth-shifting 10-speed — moves the 4,623 lb Pilot to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, and i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD gives it the best on-road manners of the group it competes in.
Fuel Efficiency
| EPA Combined MPG | 21 |
| City MPG | 19 |
| Highway MPG | 25 |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gallons |
| Estimated total range | 388 miles |
What a Honda Pilot costs to fuel
The Pilot Elite is EPA-rated at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. At 12,000 miles a year, 21 mpg works out to about 571 gallons; using AAA's September 24, 2026 national average of $4.4825 per gallon, that is an estimated $2,561 in fuel per year — a figure worth reading beside why gas prices are so high in 2026.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Pilot Elite EPA combined fuel economy | 21 mpg |
| Estimated annual fuel use | About 571 gallons |
| AAA national average regular gasoline price, September 24, 2026 | $4.4825 per gallon |
| Estimated annual fuel cost | Roughly $2,561 |
Honda does not offer a hybrid Pilot, while Edmunds and TrueCar's 2026 pricing pages show that the Toyota Grand Highlander does offer a hybrid. A 30 mpg vehicle at the same 12,000 miles and AAA fuel price would cost about $1,793 a year for gasoline, roughly $768 less than the 21 mpg Pilot Elite estimate; that 30 mpg figure is a general comparison case, not a stated Grand Highlander fuel-economy rating.
Practicality & Everyday Usability
87 cu ft cargo with all seats folded
5,000 lb tow rating
Adult-friendly second row, kid-friendly third row
Warranty & Maintenance
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
On-Road Price & Value for Money
| Starting MSRP | $53,480 |
At $53,480 for the Elite, the Pilot must justify itself against the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, which counter with plusher cabins for the money, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which wins on running costs. The Pilot's answer is mechanical: class-topping V6 power, a 5,000 lb tow rating and Honda's reliability record.
Comparison with Rivals
Key competitors include the Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.
The Telluride and Palisade have nicer cabins; the Highlander Hybrid is more efficient. The Pilot has the strongest V6 and the best on-road dynamics.
Pilot TrailSport versus the rest of the range
Honda's published specifications give the TrailSport hardware the regular trims do not all share: i-VTM4 all-wheel drive is standard, along with a one-inch suspension lift, steel skid plates and all-terrain tires. Kelley Blue Book lists the 2026 TrailSport at $51,890 including destination.
The TrailSport uses the same 3.5-liter V6, 285 horsepower and 10-speed automatic as every other 2026 Pilot. Buyers paying more for the TrailSport are therefore paying for its standard all-wheel-drive and off-road-oriented equipment rather than a different engine.
Pros & Cons
Pros
285 hp V6 with smooth 10-speed auto
5,000 lb tow rating
Spacious 8-passenger cabin
Honda reliability
Cons
No hybrid option
Fuel economy trails hybrid rivals
Cabin styling more conservative than Telluride
Overall Rating
4.3 / 5 — mechanically the strongest of the mainstream three-rows, with real towing and space; a thirstier drivetrain than hybrid rivals and a plainer cabin than the Telluride keep it from the top tier.
True Motion Auto has not independently road-tested this vehicle. Specifications, pricing and performance figures are compiled from manufacturer technical data and published independent tests, and are attributed where quoted. Our score reflects a structured research assessment of specifications, pricing, safety data and owner feedback for the segment — not an independent road test. Read how we review cars.
Final Verdict
The 2025 Pilot Elite is the family SUV that drives like a sedan. Strong V6, real towing, and roomy 8-seat layout.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 2026 Honda Pilot Elite?
Does the Honda Pilot come as a hybrid?
Is the Honda Pilot cheaper than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
What is different about the Honda Pilot TrailSport?
Specifications, prices and equipment were current at publication and vary by model year, trim and market. Verify final details with a franchised dealer before ordering. Read how we review cars and our editorial policy.