Honda Pilot V6 power, towing and fuel economy for Sacramento drivers
A Sacramento shopper comparing Honda Pilot trims usually wants three numbers before anything else: how hard the engine pulls, how much it tows and what it burns. Honda publishes all three for the 2026 Pilot, and the answer changes by trim and drivetrain, so the trim matters as much as the model.
A driver who tows to Tahoe, the Delta or the foothills, commutes on the grid and runs I-80 needs those figures matched to a real week of driving. Capital City Honda, the Honda store at 3630 Fulton Avenue inside Sacramento, is where a buyer can test a real trim against those numbers before signing.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Sacramento. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Is the Honda Pilot’s V6 enough power for Sacramento driving?
Yes. The Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 makes 285 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 262 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, according to Honda’s published 2026 specifications, and those figures appear on every trim the maker lists. That is the output a three-row Pilot needs to merge onto I-80 and climb toward Tahoe with passengers and gear aboard.
A shopper can check that on a real car. Capital City Honda sells the Pilot new at 3630 Fulton Avenue, and a test drive can be booked online or by phone, so the drive can start on the Sacramento commute itself.
How much can a Honda Pilot tow?
The 2026 Pilot is rated to tow 5,000 pounds on every all-wheel-drive trim the maker lists, according to Honda’s published 2026 specifications, and 3,500 pounds on the front-wheel-drive EX-L and Sport. The rating depends on the trim, so a buyer should match the trim to the trailer before the test drive.
For a boat, a camper or a utility trailer, the rating is the ceiling for the trailer and its load together. Stay under 5,000 pounds on an AWD trim, or under 3,500 pounds on a 2WD trim, and the Pilot is inside the maker’s figure. The Black Edition, Elite, Touring and TrailSport carry the 5,000-pound rating too, so a weekend tower has the AWD choice across most of the lineup.
What fuel economy does the Honda Pilot V6 get in the city and on the highway?
The EPA-certified figures for the 2026 Pilot are 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined on the AWD trims other than the TrailSport. The AWD TrailSport is rated 18 city, 23 highway and 20 combined, and the front-wheel-drive Pilot is rated 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined.
A Sacramento week mixes grid streets, freeway runs and the occasional Sierra trip, and the city figure describes the first of those. The mean travel time to work for Sacramento city workers is 25.3 minutes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2024 1-Year Estimates, Table DP03, Sacramento city, California, so the daily commute is where the city number applies most often.
Which Honda Pilot trim suits a Sacramento driver who tows?
The Pilot Sport AWD is the least expensive Pilot on Honda’s 2026 list that tows 5,000 pounds, with a starting MSRP of $44,495 on the maker’s 2026 price list. The front-wheel-drive Sport starts at $42,395 and tows 3,500 pounds, which suits a family that rarely tows.
| Trim | Honda starting MSRP (USD) | Max towing (lbs) | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Sport (2WD) | $42,395 | 3,500 | up to 8 |
| Pilot Sport (AWD) | $44,495 | 5,000 | up to 8 |
| Pilot EX-L (2WD) | $44,695 | 3,500 | up to 8 |
| Pilot EX-L (AWD) | $46,795 | 5,000 | up to 8 |
| Pilot TrailSport (AWD) | $50,595 | 5,000 | 7 |
| Pilot Touring (AWD) | $51,295 | 5,000 | up to 8 |
| Pilot Elite (AWD) | $53,695 | 5,000 | up to 8 |
| Pilot Black Edition (AWD) | $55,195 | 5,000 | up to 8 |
The TrailSport seats 7, so a family of eight should look at the other trims. Every trim with the 5,000-pound rating is AWD, which makes drivetrain as important as trim for a driver who tows a boat every weekend.
Can a Honda Pilot handle the drive from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe?
Yes, within the rating. Every AWD Pilot trim is rated to tow 5,000 pounds, and the 2WD EX-L and Sport tow 3,500 pounds, by the maker’s 2026 specifications. The V6’s 285 horsepower and its torque rating give it the output for the climb, so the weight behind the vehicle is the number to check before the trip.
Before leaving Sacramento, weigh the boat or trailer loaded with its gear and compare that weight to the rating for your trim. If it sits under the figure, the Pilot is rated for the trip. If the loaded trailer is heavier than the rating, the trim is wrong for that trip, and a test drive with the actual load is the way to confirm it.
What do Sacramento buyers say about buying a Honda at Capital City Honda?
Capital City Honda holds a 4.5 rating on Google across 3,088 reviews, 2,522 of them five-star, so 82% of its reviews give the top score. For a Pilot shopper, the buying conversation starts at our Fulton Avenue store in Sacramento itself.
A recent buyer who went in wary of the process described a clear deal and a staff that stayed pleasant. In an August 2026 Google review, Bob W. wrote: “I just bought my very first brand new car. I did a lot of research and watched a lot of terrifying videos about car dealerships, and stumbled upon Capital City Honda through the Costco Auto Purchase program. I ended up getting a great deal, about $2500 below MSRP, along with a $750 rebate for using Honda Financial Service with their very low rate, below my credit union’s. I was very wary of shenanigans but there were none, as far as i could tell. Racheal was delightful and wonderful, everyone was pleasant as could be, and i have a brand new CR-V that’s I’m very happy with. I highly recommend this dealership.”
That review covers the price, the financing and the staff in one visit.
Which Sacramento Honda dealers can I check Pilot ratings against?
Capital City Honda is the first row of the comparison, followed by the Honda stores a Sacramento buyer can reach, each with its own Google rating and review count.
| Dealer | Address | Google rating | Google reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital City Honda | 3630 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821 | 4.5 | 3,088 |
| Folsom Lake Honda – Sales | 12505 Automall Pkwy, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 | 4.7 | 2,593 |
| AutoNation Honda Roseville | 230 Automall Dr, Roseville, CA 95661 | 4.7 | 8,792 |
| Elk Grove Honda | 8550 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757 | 4.7 | 5,593 |
| Shottenkirk Honda of Davis | 4343 Chiles Rd, Davis, CA 95618 | 4.3 | 1,394 |
| El Dorado Honda | 4070 Mother Lode Dr, Shingle Springs, CA 95682 | 4.3 | 276 |
A Pilot shopper who wants the figures and the visit in one place can start at 3630 Fulton Avenue, where the Pilot is sold new.
FAQ
What engine does the Honda Pilot have?
The 2026 Pilot has a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 285 horsepower at 6,100 rpm, with 262 lb-ft of torque arriving at 5,000 rpm, in the maker’s 2026 specifications. The EPA certification record lists it as a six-cylinder gasoline engine on both front-wheel and all-wheel drive.
Can I get a trade-in offer on my car online before I visit?
Yes. We offer three ways to get a trade-in offer online without visiting the store, and our headline calls it an instant cash offer. A trade-in value we give is valid for seven days or up to 250 miles. You can come in for a trade-in with or without an appointment.
Can I apply for financing online before I come in?
Yes. We have a secure online finance application, and our payment calculator takes a trade-in offer amount. We also offer Honda leases, new Honda financing and pre-owned car loans.
How do I book a test drive of the Honda Pilot?
Book a test drive online or by phone, then come to 3630 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821. The showroom is open seven days a week.
Does Capital City Honda service the Honda Pilot?
Yes. Our service center has factory-trained technicians. Our express lanes take oil and filter changes, fluid checks, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and repairs with no appointment needed.
How much is the Honda Pilot’s warranty?
According to Honda’s 2026 warranty booklet, the Pilot carries a basic warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first, and a corrosion warranty of 5 years with no mileage limit. For a certified pre-owned Honda, Honda backs the car with an extended powertrain limited warranty and a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
How Capital City Honda books a Pilot test drive online or by phone
A Sacramento driver who has the towing and fuel figures in hand can test them on a real Pilot at Capital City Honda, the Honda store on Fulton Avenue within the city. We hold 4.5 stars across 3,088 Google reviews, and buyers name the staff and the process when they write about us.
In a July 2026 Google review, Jack Z. wrote: “Straightforward and down to earth, I would buy a car from Luke again.” In a July 2026 Google review, Susan M. wrote: “Luke answered all my questions, and if he didn’t know, he found out.”
Start with the trim you plan to drive. Book a test drive online or by phone, value your current car with our online trade tool, and apply for financing online before you come in.
Capital City Honda is the Honda store inside the city where the Pilot’s towing rating meets a real trim and a straight price. Start with the trim you plan to tow with, and book a test drive online or by phone.
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.