Honda has introduced the mid-life update for its flagship SUV, the Pilot, in the US market. The 2026 Honda Pilot is expected to launch in the UAE next year. Read below what is new in the Pilot facelift.

Meanwhile, you can also find top-certified pre-owned Honda cars at Cars24 UAE.

Also read: Two new Toyota Land Cruiser models in the works, debut by 2027!

What is new on the 2026 Honda Pilot?

The new Pilot facelift might not look very distinctive at first glance. But it features subtle visual updates, including the new front grille that is wider now, a new front bumper with a bigger skid plate, and a reworked rear skid plate.

The rest of the SUV looks similar to the outgoing model. However, the new 20-inch alloy wheels and the three new exterior colours, which include the Solar Silver Metallic, Smoke Blue Pearl, and Ash Green Metallic (exclusive for the TrailSport variant), make it look more upmarket.

New features and better NVH

The big updates have found their way into the cabin. Beginning with the improvements in the NVH levels, Honda has now added semi-tampered door glass, better insulation on the doors and the bonnet, and improved sound-deadening materials. 

All these changes are claimed to have reduced the ‘key frequencies’ by up to 2-3 dB, making the highway driving experience a lot more comfortable.

Apart from the NVH, the new Pilot gets a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument console as standard now. The new infotainment is loaded with the new UI, offering the Google-built-in 5G Wifi and wireless connectivity.

Additionally, all variants are now equipped with the standard electric tailgate. Honda is offering the new Pilot in six variants in the global market: Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition.

To give each variant its uniqueness, Honda has added the heated outward seats with orange leather on the TrailSport variant, Touring variant with the new 360-degree camera and premium interior materials, while the top-spec Elite gets the ultra-seude accents with diamond stitching.

For added safety, the new Pilot comes with a post-collision braking system to reduce further damage after the first impact.

Engine specs remain unchanged

Powering the new Pilot is the same 3.5-litre V6 engine as the old model. It offers 285 bhp and 355 Nm of power and torque. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system.

When will it launch in the UAE?

The new Pilot is expected to launch next year in the UAE. With the new safety and cabin features, its pricing is expected to be slightly higher than the current version.

Cars24 UAE says

The new 2026 Honda Pilot SUV offers subtle changes that make it more comfortable and safer. However, it is largely unchanged in terms of performance and looks. It is expected to launch in the Middle East soon.