By NITISH S. RELE – motoringflorida@gmail.com

There are a dime a dozen family-haulers on the road but the one that instantly grabs attention is the three-row 2026 Pilot. Boasting a solid chassis, subtle styling and plentiful cabin room, the Honda midsize SUV has enjoyed tremendous popularity since its debut in 2003.

For 2026, the Japanese carmaker’s engineers have maintained the naturally aspirated V-6 powertrain in this easy-riding companion. Instead, changes include larger infotainment screen and digital driver cluster, revamped front fascia, retuned steering and better sound insulation. The midsize SUV is still equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine packing decent 285 horsepower @ 6100 rpm and 262 pounds-feet of torque @ 5000 rpm. Our top-level Elite was mated to a 10-speed auto transmission, which when combined with the Variable Cylinder Management, operates in three- or four-cylinder modes for substantial fuel savings. Additional sound-damping materials hold wind and road clatter to a minimum.

And instead of a boxy and almost plain appearance, the curvy and attractive Pilot will draw inquisitive stares like it did during our test drive. LED headlights and fog lamps flank a new gloss black grille with active shutters as it hosts the familiar H for Honda emblem on its unit-body structure. As expected, it’s in the cabin that he Pilot shines with well-placed storage cubbies everywhere. There also is a massive hidden underfloor cargo area. Passenger volume is 154.9 cubic feet of space. Thirsty occupants have 14 beverage holders to stay hydrated. The all-new and crystal clear 12.3-inch infotainment screen and 10.2-inch digital driver cluster are substantially bigger than the previous year. Ultrasuede accents with diamond stitches give the ride with 10-way power driver and four-way front-passenger seats a rich ambiance. Thoughtful touches include multi-zone auto a/c, tilt/telescopic four-spoke leather steering wheel, second-row Captain’s chairs, third-row 60/40 flat seat, panoramic tilt/slide moon roof, 10-speaker Bose audio, wireless phone charger, head-up display and power tailgate.

Standard safety features include dual front, side and knee airbags, side curtain airbag with rollover system, front knee airbags, vehicle stability assist, traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, three-point seatbelts, front/rear crumple zones, front-seat active head restraints, tire pressure monitor system and daytime running lights, as well as Honda Sensing – adaptive cruise control, blind spot/cross traffic monitor, collision mitigation brakes, lane keep assist and forward collision and lane departure warnings, traffic jam assist, and front/rear park sensors.

For an SUV that weighs about 4,478 pounds, the Pilot delivers a smooth and amenable outing in comfort and style. Thanks to its cargo-, people-hauling practicality and the right mix of power, this Honda is the ideal vehicle to park in a family garage.

PILOT (ELITE, AWD)

Tires: P255/50 R20

Wheelbase: 113.8 inches

Length: 200.1 inches

Width: 78.5 inches

Height: 71 inches

Suspension: MacPherson front; multilink rear

Steering: power rack-assist pinion

Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons

City/hwy/comb: 19/25/21

Base price: $53,495

Web site: www.honda.com