2026 Honda Pilot Elite AWD Quick Drive from Truck Rodeo

It wasn’t on our list, but I just had to drive the 2026 Honda Pilot Elite, all-wheel drive, at our Truck Rodeo event this year. We were at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, trucks and SUVs all on special off-roading courses, but this one wasn’t able to go off-road. That’s fine. It’s a really nice looking vehicle, and I really like the Pilot overall so I jumped in ready to take it all in.

The interior of this thing is really slick. Quilted suede on the driver and passenger seats, also leather and white piping, and then this really cool interior trimming detail that makes it look almost rugged. Everything else in there is just great. The window sticker names that seat treatment perforated leather with quilted Ultrasuede accents and contrast piping. The rest of the Elite kit on this one includes a Bose 12-speaker system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, a panoramic moonroof, a hands-free power tailgate, 20-inch alloys, and Honda Sensing.

I know it can do some light off-roading. This is i-VTM4 all-wheel drive, with the 3.5-liter V6 (285 horsepower, 262 lb-ft) and a 10-speed automatic. They just didn’t let us leave the pavement, it happens. Fuel economy on the sticker is 19 city, 25 highway, 21 combined, which matches Honda’s number for a non-TrailSport AWD Pilot. Towing is rated at 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. You’ll need an accessory hitch for that. It is not standard on the Elite.

Color on this one is Crystal Black Pearl over black. Base price on the Monroney is $53,495, destination is $1,495, and the as-tested price is $54,990.

I was really impressed overall and had a good time at the Truck Rodeo this year. Much more content coming soon from the Rodeo.