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GizmoDriver

Is the 2026 Honda Pilot a good car?

Yes.

4 of 7checks

Pick another car

20 miles one way, 5 days a week. Gas $3.20. Power 17 cents per kWh.

Pilot -14%-49%+150%Price vs predicted
Price vs predicted, 154 SUVs (2026). Orange: this car.
Checks for the 2026 Honda Pilot
CheckResultNumber
Family carYes3 of 4 parts
First carNo3 of 5 parts
CommuterNo$126 vs $111 a month
SeniorsYes2 of 3 parts
Off-roadYes8.3 in, top 39%
Worth the moneyYes14% below predicted
Good buyNo5 beat it on all four

Is the Pilot a good family car?

Yes. Passes 3 of 4 parts.

Family car check, 2026 Honda Pilot
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Seats8 seats5 or moreN/AYes
Rear legroom40.8 inMedian 38.5 in167Yes
Rear headroom40.2 inMedian 38.7 in168Yes
Cargo behind the last row18.6 cu ftMedian 25.2 cu ft176No

Is the Pilot a good first car?

No. Passes 3 of 5 parts.

First car check, 2026 Honda Pilot
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Price$42,395Median $47,693176Yes
Horsepower285 hp175 hp to 373 hp182Yes
Length199.9 inMedian 191.6 in178No
Turning circle37.8 ftMedian 38.7 ft166Yes
Fuel cost per mile14.5 centsMedian 12.8 cents179No

Horsepower: 10th to 75th percentile of the class.

Is the Pilot a good commuter car?

No. $126 a month to commute. Class median $111.

Miles a month
867
This car
$126
Median of 179 SUVs
$111
Highway mpg
27 mpg, top 50% of 139

Is the Pilot a good car for seniors?

Yes. Passes 2 of 3 parts.

Seniors check, 2026 Honda Pilot
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Step-in height7.3 in clearance, 71.0 in tall6.9 to 8.4 in clearance, 64.7 to 70.8 in tall156No
Front headroom40.5 inMedian 39.9 in169Yes
Turning circle37.8 ftMedian 38.7 ft166Yes

Step-in: clearance and height in the middle half of the class.

Is the Pilot a good off-road vehicle?

Yes. 8.3 in clearance. Top 39% of 173 trucks and SUVs.

AWD or 4WD
Yes
Best trim for clearance
TrailSport AWD, 8.3 in
Cohort
173 trucks and SUVs, AWD or 4WD trims

Is the Pilot worth the money?

Yes. Priced 14% below cars like it.

Price, Sport 2WD
$42,395
Predicted price
$49,283
Gap
-$6,888 (-14%)
Model error
13% median, 275 cars

Price model: horsepower, length, width, drivetrain, powertrain, body and luxury, 2026 cars.

Passes at up to 5% above the predicted price.

Is the Pilot a good buy?

No. 5 rivals cost less and beat it on fuel cost, cargo and power.

Rivals that cost less and beat the Pilot on all four
CarPriceFuel cost per mileMax cargoPower
Pilot Touring Blackout AWD$52,49515.2 cents86.5 cu ft285 hp
Chevrolet Traverse LT FWD$40,80014.5 cents97.6 cu ft328 hp
GMC Acadia Elevation FWD$43,70014.5 cents97.5 cu ft328 hp
Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Blue SEL 7P FWD$44,16010.3 cents86.7 cu ft329 hp
Buick Enclave Preferred FWD$46,40014.5 cents97.5 cu ft328 hp
Acura MDX FWD$51,80014.5 cents95.0 cu ft290 hp

Compared with 1,109 trims of other makes, SUVs, 2026.

What this cannot tell you

No safety, reliability or insurance data.

Your prices, use and trim may differ.

How values are checked