2026 vs 2025 Honda Pilot: Why the Refresh Makes It the Smarter Buy Today

The three-row SUV segment is evolving fast—and Honda isn’t waiting for the competition to catch up. The 2026 Honda Pilot arrives with focused improvements that elevate the day-to-day driving experience, all while preserving the trusted DNA that made the previous model so successful.

For families in Lachenaie considering a spacious family SUV, understanding what’s changed in 2026 is key to deciding whether the latest model is worth the investment over remaining 2025 inventory.

A Bigger, Smarter Touchscreen

The most immediate and noticeable upgrade in the 2026 Pilot is the central touchscreen, now standard at 12.3 inches across all trims. This much larger interface dramatically enhances how you interact with the infotainment system. Bigger icons make for easier navigation—especially important when every second counts to keep your eyes on the road.

The expanded screen can display more information simultaneously, like keeping navigation front and centre while still showing climate and audio controls. Menus are easier to navigate, with well-spaced buttons that help reduce frustrating mis-taps.

On long family road trips to the Laurentians or Vermont, this enhanced screen streamlines managing rear-seat entertainment, changing settings on the fly, or even just following directions—all with better visibility, especially helpful for drivers who wear glasses or prefer larger text.

Everyday Tech Gets a Boost

Beyond screen size, the 2026 Pilot receives other thoughtful tech refinements designed to enhance daily use:

• The 10.2-inch digital driver display is now even more configurable, letting you prioritize navigation, fuel economy data, or safety alerts depending on what matters most to you.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard on more trims, eliminating the need to plug in your phone every time. This small but meaningful change simplifies mornings when every second counts.
• A Qi-compatible wireless charging pad keeps your phone charged without cluttering the centre console with cables—especially handy on longer trips when your phone doubles as a hotspot or entertainment hub for the kids.

A Quieter, More Comfortable Cabin

Honda engineers put noticeable effort into reducing cabin noise in the 2026 model. Additional insulation helps block out road and wind noise, especially at highway speeds, resulting in a calmer environment for music, conversation, or simply relaxing during long drives along Highway 40 to Quebec City.

Passengers in the third row—often the ones most exposed to road noise—will feel the difference. Combined with subtle suspension tweaks, the ride quality is smoother over potholes, expansion joints, and rough city streets. This makes for a more refined experience, whether you’re downtown or heading out to the cottage.

Sharper Steering for a More Confident Drive

The steering system has also been recalibrated, providing better feedback through the wheel. This gives drivers more control during tight manoeuvres, highway lane changes, and parking in narrow spaces.

Whether you're navigating busy Montreal traffic or winding country roads, the more responsive and communicative steering helps the Pilot feel more composed and stable—especially in strong crosswinds or when passing large transport trucks.

For daily commuters from Lachenaie to the city, this refinement reduces driver fatigue by requiring fewer steering corrections to stay centred.

Safety: Still a Benchmark

One area Honda didn’t change—because it didn’t need to—is safety. The full Honda Sensing® suite remains standard on all 2026 trims, including:

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist with Traffic Jam Assist

Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are still included, helping you stay aware of hidden vehicles during lane changes or when reversing out of tight parking spots. These proven systems continue to set the Pilot apart in terms of family-focused peace of mind.

Proven Powertrain and AWD Versatility

Honda wisely retained the 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. This pairing delivers strong acceleration and highway passing power, all while keeping fuel consumption in check.

The advanced i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system (2nd generation) remains a highlight, offering intelligent torque distribution to optimize traction in all conditions. With seven drive modes—Normal, ECON, Snow, Sport, Tow, Trail, and Sand—the Pilot adapts to city streets, icy roads, or gravel trails with ease.

Towing capacity holds steady at 2,268 kg (5,000 lb), making it a reliable option for hauling trailers, boats, or campers. The Tow Mode adjusts transmission and cooling system behaviour for heavy loads, and Trailer Stability Assist helps manage sway in real-time.

Roomy and Ready for Real Family Life

Inside, the 2026 Pilot continues to shine with room for 7 or 8 passengers, depending on trim. Second-row One-Touch seats make accessing the third row a breeze, and fold-flat rear seats provide a large, flat cargo area when needed.

A hands-free, programmable power liftgate simplifies loading groceries or sports gear, and the reversible cargo lid offers a hard surface for muddy or dirty items. 16 cupholders placed throughout the cabin remind you this SUV was built with real families in mind.

Even adults can fit comfortably in the third row for short trips—a rare feat in this segment. Rear passengers also enjoy their own climate controls and USB-C charging ports, while built-in sunshades for rows two and three keep the sun at bay on summer drives.

Why the 2026 Model Offers Better Value

While the 2026 Pilot doesn’t represent a full redesign, it introduces smart, meaningful updates that directly improve your daily driving experience. If you’re comparing a 2025 unit already in stock to the refreshed 2026 model, the choice depends on how much you value these upgrades.

• If a larger screen, quieter cabin, and more responsive steering are important to your comfort and confidence, the 2026 Pilot justifies the modest price difference.
• These refinements don’t add flashy gimmicks—they enhance usability, comfort, and long-term satisfaction.

For families who spend a lot of time in the car, the improved ride, quieter interior, and better interface make every trip—long or short—more enjoyable. Honda has taken what was already an excellent family SUV and elevated it into a more refined, more connected, and more user-friendly vehicle.

Visit Lallier Honda 640 in Lachenaie to test drive both the 2025 and 2026 Honda Pilot side by side. Our team will walk you through the updates and let you experience firsthand why the 2026 refresh makes such a strong case. In a segment full of options, the 2026 Pilot stands out as a smart, evolved choice that’s built for real family life.