Luxury cars are typically niche and low-volume sellers, with margins decreasing each year. Cars that operate in this segment often make for poor investments, with some of the worst depreciation rates in the market. Many consumers are happy to put up with this, due to the high comfort and quality levels you get to enjoy in return. However, the new-generation of mainstream cars and SUVs are proving that you don’t necessarily need to spend more to enjoy a premium automotive experience.
- Base Trim Engine
-
3.5-liter V6
- Base Trim Transmission
-
10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
285 hp
- Base Trim Torque
-
262 b-ft
- Make
-
Honda
- Model
-
Pilot
- Segment
-
Midsize SUV
The 2026 Honda Pilot is easily one of the most accomplished SUVs that seamlessly balances capability with a touch of luxury, especially when looking at the higher trims. The 2026 BMW X3 is currently widely regarded as the leader of the German midsize SUV segment, but opting for this rugged Japanese three-row SUV won’t have you feeling like you’ve significantly compromised on quality.
Honda’s Flagship SUV Experience With The Pilot
As the flagship three-row SUV in Honda’s American lineup, the 2026 Honda Pilot sits above the Passport and CR-V, serving as the brand’s primary family hauler. The Japanese brand aims this model at larger families who like to engage in outdoor activities. While it is a passenger SUV, Honda tunes the suspension to offer rugged versatility, especially if you opt for the off-road-oriented TrailSport trim.
For 2026, Honda gives the Pilot a mid-cycle refresh that introduces a larger standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, a quieter cabin, and a more aggressive front grille. In terms of sales performance, the Pilot remains a strong pillar for Honda. It ended 2025 with 124,209 units sold, reflecting a slight 2.7 percent dip from 2024, but still part of a record year for Honda.It entered January 2026 with continued momentum, selling 9,607 units in the month, thanks to the refreshed models hitting dealership floors.
Impressive Reception From Reviewers And Owners
J.D. Power gives the Honda Pilot an 83/100 consumer-verified overall score, consisting of 81/100 for quality and reliability, 82/100 for the driving experience, and 87/100 for resale, together with an 83/100 dealership experience score. iSeeCars indicates that this model will enjoy an average mechanical lifespan of 11.3 years or 168,289 miles, with a 29.9 percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles.
The Edmunds consumer review section displays a 4/5 average score out of 49 reviews, with owners highlighting its interior space, ride quality, and driving experience as standout positives. In terms of ownership costs, Edmunds publishes a $61,297 estimate over five years, which includes $3,982 on maintenance, $773 on repairs, $20,539 on depreciation, and $16,692 on fuel.
The Honda That Still Defines Sensible Engineering
Honda’s engineering principle is called Max Maximum, Machine Minimum, or M/M, and this is the Honda today that continues to embody that principle.
Plenty Of Trims To Choose From
Across all seven trim levels, the 2026 Honda Pilot comes standard with a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen, featuring Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The base $42,195 Sport trim includes durable black cloth upholstery and gray accent stitching, while the $44,495 EX-L introduces leather-trimmed seating in black or gray, adding a wireless phone charger and the CabinTalk in-car PA system. The off-road-focused $50,395 TrailSport stands out with rugged black synthetic leather featuring orange high-contrast stitching, embroidered headrests, and a newly available brown leather option, all complemented by a standard panoramic sunroof and all-season floor mats.
Premium Models Are The Real Deal
Stepping into the $51,095 Touring and $53,495 Elite trims brings more sophisticated black, gray, or brown leather options, a 12-speaker Bose Premium Audio system, and multi-zone audio. The Elite specifically adds perforated leather with quilted Alcantara accents, diamond stitching, and ventilated front seats. Honda’s flagship $54,995 Black Edition includes a bespoke aesthetic with exclusive black leather, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting, paired with high-end convenience features. These include a head-up display and heated second-row outboard seats, which are also now standard on the TrailSport and Elite. Where available, all-wheel drive adds $2,100 to the base price, while Honda adds a $1,495 destination fee to all sales.
The Cleanest Example Of Honda’s VTEC V6 Is A Budget Luxury Sleeper
This sleek sedan boasts a 3.5-liter V6 engine and is a budget luxury sleeper that delivers on all fronts.
Keeping The Mechanical Systems Simple
The 2026 Honda Pilot is only available with the brand’s tried-and-tested naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The unit sends power to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission featuring shift-by-wire and paddle shifters. The Pilot achieves a 0 to 60 MPH acceleration time of 7.8 seconds, which admittedly isn’t going to be enough to compete with faster BMW X3 derivatives.
Honda limits the top speed to 112 MPH, ensuring mechanical longevity and safety for a vehicle of its size and weight. While front-wheel drive is standard on the Sport and EX-L trims, the i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system is bundled into the TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition packages. This system also benefits from active torque vectoring for enhanced handling and traction.
Unsurprising Fuel Consumption Estimates
With this in mind, don’t expect to enjoy the best fuel consumption returns. The EPA estimates that the front-wheel drive model will consume 19/27/22 MPG on the city/highway/combined cycle and cover 407 miles on a single 18.5-gallon tank. Expect to spend $2,000 more on fuel over five years compared to the average new vehicle sold in the U.S. You’ll also spend $1,900 on fuel every year, $3.19 to drive 25 miles, and $52 to fill the tank up.
On highways and country roads, the Pilot is comfy and relaxing. It’s the kind of SUV the kids can snooze in on road trips, with plenty of room for everyone to carpool when you’re back on the home front.
– Nicole Wakelin, TopSpeed Journalist
Opting for the all-wheel drive system changes these estimates to 19/25/21 MPG, while covering 388 miles on a tank. You’ll spend $2,500 more on fuel over five years, $2,000 on fuel every year, and $3.35 to drive 25 miles. TrailSport models feature less efficient wheels, resulting in an 18/23/20 MPG consumption and a 370-mile range estimate. With this trim, you’ll spend $3,000 more on fuel over five years, $2,100 on fuel every year, and $3.51 to drive 25 miles.
Ranking All Honda SUV Models By Size And Price
Find out what separates each new Honda SUV model on sale.
The New X3 Represents Regression For The Brand
While a technical marvel, the 2026 BMW X3 represents a step-down in quality for the brand, especially when looking at interior refinement. Since this generation’s market release, it has come under heavy fire for an interior that many critics and loyalists feel has dissatisfied the brand’s luxury reputation in favor of cost-cutting and aggressive minimalism. As a result, it sits with a 74/100 score for quality and reliability from J.D. Power, while the previous model held a very respectable 84/100 score.
The primary grievance centers on the widespread use of hard and scratchy plastics in high-usage areas, such as the door handles, window switches, and lower cabin panels. Many users argue that these pieces feel more mainstream than premium, especially when compared to its predecessor. It sets a strong impression via the new Interaction Bar terminal and expansive ambient lighting, but some consider these a distraction to keep you from noticing the removal of physical tactile buttons.
Almost all the climate and secondary functions are now found in the iDrive 9 touchscreen interface or assigned to haptic sliders that are sometimes non-responsive. Furthermore, while the new woven textile dashboard made from recycled materials is a nod to sustainability, it has been dismissed by some as a dust magnet that lacks the timeless elegance of traditional leather or wood, leading to a substandard cabin experience. Despite the X3’s high-tech veneer, it often comes under criticism for feeling surprisingly tacky and low-rent for its $51,300 starting MSRP.
The X3 Still Gets Some Love
Despite these criticisms, the X3 remains a hit in the U.S. and continues to fly the flag as the brand’s most important volume driver. The Bavarian brand confirms that the new generation is its top-selling model for 2025 with 76,546 units delivered. This performance represents a robust 11.3 percent increase over the previous year, allowing the compact crossover to narrowly edge out its larger sibling, the X5, which trailed by only 300 units.
The X3’s success contributes to a landmark year for BMW North America, which set an all-time U.S. sales record of 388,897 vehicles in 2025. This is the brand’s third consecutive year of record growth in the region, proving that despite criticisms of its modernized interior, the X3 remains the undisputed favorite among American luxury buyers.
The Edmunds consumer reviews for this generation currently hold a 4.2/5 average from 34 reviews, with some even praising the reliability and manufacturing quality. Others highlight its impressive fuel efficiency and striking visual appearance.
Sources: J.D. Power, Edmunds, iSeeCars, and the EPA