Honda Pilot 2025 or 2026: which model year fits Sacramento families?

The 2026 Honda Pilot fits the Sacramento family that wants the added standard equipment and updated tech Honda put on the year. The 2025 Pilot fits the family that puts price first. Capital City Honda in Sacramento sells the Pilot and can set the two years side by side for you.

The differences come down to three things: equipment, starting price and the room a family needs. Each one changes which year makes sense.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Sacramento. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

Who should buy the 2026 Honda Pilot, and who should buy the 2025?

Choose the 2026 if your family will use the new equipment. The power tailgate now comes on every trim, roof rails come standard across the lineup, and the screen and phone connection are new. A family uses those features every week.

Choose the 2025 if price decides it. For matching trims, the 2025 starts lower, and a family that does not need the new equipment can start with the lower number.

What comes standard on the 2026 Honda Pilot that the 2025 leaves optional?

The 2026 Pilot puts a power tailgate on every trim, including the Sport (American Honda Motor Co., 2026).

On the 2025 Pilot, the power liftgate was standard on the EX-L and above and not available on the Sport (Kelley Blue Book, 2025). A Sport buyer who wanted it had to move up to the EX-L. In 2026, that step is gone.

Roof rails were standard on the Sport but optional on the EX-L in 2025 (Kelley Blue Book, 2025). For an EX-L buyer, roof rails now come with the vehicle instead of as an add-on.

What did Honda change on the 2026 Pilot’s screen, styling and steering?

The 2026 Pilot’s touchscreen is 12.3 inches on every trim, and Honda says it is 37% larger than the screen on the previous model year (American Honda Motor Co., 2025). The driver display grew to 10.2 inches, 43% larger (American Honda Motor Co., 2025).

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with Google built-in and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot (American Honda Motor Co., 2025). For a family, that means the phone never needs a cable. Honda also lists a quieter cabin and improved steering feel among the 2026 changes (American Honda Motor Co., 2025).

The front end gets a redesigned fascia with a larger grille (American Honda Motor Co., 2025). The Sport and EX-L get a new black grille with a gloss black surround, while Touring, Elite and Black Edition get a new gloss black grille. The TrailSport gets a gray grille.

What does a 2026 Honda Pilot cost compared with a 2025?

The 2026 Sport (2WD) starts at $42,395 (Honda, 2026).

The 2025 Sport (2WD) started at $40,200 (American Honda Motor Co., 2024). Bring the trim and the price you are quoted for each year, and compare them on the same tax line.

Sales tax comes on top of the starting price. Inside Sacramento city limits, the combined rate is 8.750%, against 7.750% for Sacramento County outside city limits (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, 2026).

How do seating, cargo space and towing compare on the 2025 and 2026 Pilot?

The 2026 Sport carries the same cargo room as the 2025 Sport, 87.0 cubic feet behind the first row and 111.8 at maximum (American Honda Motor Co., 2025).

Seating is up to eight on the 2026 Sport, EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition, and seven on the TrailSport (Honda, 2026). A family that uses all three rows should confirm the trim seats eight before it buys.

Towing on the 2025 Pilot is 3,500 pounds on 2WD trims and 5,000 on AWD trims, and both need accessory towing equipment (American Honda Motor Co., 2024). The 2026 ratings are the same (Honda, 2026). A family that tows a boat or a trailer should look at the AWD trims.

2025 and 2026 Honda Pilot trims side by side for a Sacramento buyer

Combined EPA ratings for the 2026 Pilot run from 20 to 22 mpg, depending on drivetrain (EPA, 2026). On each trim, the 2026 starting price sits higher than the 2025 price.

Pick the trim first, then compare the two years on that trim at Capital City Honda on Fulton Avenue in Sacramento.

When is the 2026 Honda Pilot the wrong choice, and when is the 2025?

The 2026 is the wrong choice for a Sacramento family whose main test is the starting price and that will not use the new screen or the standard power tailgate. The 2025 is the wrong choice for a family that wants a power tailgate on the Sport or roof rails standard on the EX-L.

Every matching trim starts lower in 2025. A Sport buyer who wants the power tailgate has to choose the 2026 or move up to a higher 2025 trim.

The 2026 earns its higher price where the family will use the changes every day: the larger screen, the wireless phone connection and standard roof rails.

Why Sacramento families buy the Pilot at Capital City Honda

Capital City Honda sits at 3630 Fulton Avenue in Sacramento and is part of Group 1 Automotive. We sell new Honda, including the Pilot, Passport and Odyssey. Buyers here can choose a Honda lease, new Honda financing or a pre-owned car loan.

Our Google record, as of October 2026: 4.5 stars across 3,088 reviews; 82 in 100 of them are five-star. In an August 2026 Google review, Omar T. wrote: “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had a great experience working with Petrisia Contreras. She was extremely attentive, patient, and helpful throughout the entire process. I honestly wasn’t completely sure what I wanted or even what I was looking for when I came in, but she took her time with me, answered all of my questions, and walked me through different options without ever making me feel rushed or pressured. She made the whole leasing process much easier and helped me understand my options so I could make a decision I felt comfortable with. I really appreciated her patience, professionalism, and the amount of time she spent helping me. If you’re looking for someone who will actually listen to you, answer your questions, and help you find what works best for you, I definitely recommend asking for her!”

For a family weighing two model years, that is the kind of help the review describes.

Visit Capital City Honda at 3630 Fulton Avenue with the Pilot trim you want. Sales hours are 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Sunday.

Frequently asked questions

How is the Honda Pilot TrailSport different in 2026 than in 2025?

The 2026 TrailSport gains standard heated second-row outboard seats (American Honda Motor Co., 2025). It also gets an exclusive Ash Green Metallic color, now available on every Honda TrailSport (American Honda Motor Co., 2025). The 2025 TrailSport came with a 9-inch color touchscreen (American Honda Motor Co., 2025).

Is the Honda Pilot or the Honda Passport better for a Sacramento family?

The Passport seats five, tows up to 5,000 pounds and has 104.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo room (Honda, 2026). It starts at $44,950 (Honda, 2026). A family that needs a third row picks the Pilot, and a family of five without that need can compare the Passport on the same visit.

Does a family of six need the Honda Pilot or the Honda Odyssey?

A family of six that wants more third-row room should look at the Odyssey. The Odyssey EX-L seats eight with 38.1 inches of third-row legroom, and it starts at $42,795 (Honda, 2026). The Pilot Sport (2WD) gives 32.5 inches in its third row (Honda, 2026), and the Odyssey carries more cargo at maximum.

What safety features come standard on the 2025 and 2026 Honda Pilot?

Honda Sensing comes standard on every 2026 Pilot trim, with collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning and lane departure warning among its features (Honda, 2026). Low-speed braking control and front and rear parking sensors come only on select trims (Honda, 2026). Post-Collision Braking is new standard equipment on every 2026 Pilot (American Honda Motor Co., 2025). Cars.com gives the 2025 Pilot an overall five-star NHTSA rating (Cars.com, 2025).

What warranty comes with a new 2026 Honda Pilot?

The 2026 Pilot carries a basic warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first (Honda, 2026). Its powertrain warranty runs 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first, and corrosion coverage runs 5 years with no mileage limit (Honda, 2026).

What is the cost of a new 2026 Honda Pilot?

The cost of a new 2026 Honda Pilot depends on the trim and drivetrain you choose, so pick the trim first and compare the 2026 and 2025 on that trim. Because the price moves with the trim, a quote for the exact one you want is a better guide than a single starting number.

Capital City Honda lets you value a trade and get pre-approved online at capcityhonda.com, so you arrive knowing your numbers. On top of that, you can browse new, used and certified pre-owned Honda inventory and finish in store. One caveat: a pre-approval is a starting point, so bring the trim and the quote you are given for each model year and compare them side by side.

Capital City Honda answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Sacramento showroom, or call 916-514-4085.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Capital City Honda for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.