2026 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Explained near Brookings, SD
The 2026 Honda Pilot is built for shoppers who want a three-row SUV that feels strong, refined, and easy to live with every day. With seating for up to eight, a 285-hp V-6 engine, a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, and up to 5,000 lb of towing capacity, the Pilot brings confident capability without giving up comfort. The cabin is one of its biggest strengths, offering smart storage, available leather-trimmed seating, an available stowable 2nd-row center seat, and up to 113.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Tech is equally impressive, with a 12.3-inch color touch-screen, Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay® compatibility, wireless Android Auto™ compatibility, and available TrailWatch™. At Vern Eide Honda, we see the 2026 Honda Pilot near Brookings, SD as a practical, premium-feeling SUV for families, commuters, and weekend travelers who need space, confidence, and modern convenience in one well-rounded package.
2026 Honda Pilot Trim Comparison
| Trim Level | Focus | Wheels | Seating | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Essential tech and utility | 20-inch alloy | Up to eight | 9-speaker system |
| EX-L | Comfort with leather seating | 18-inch alloy | Stowable center seat | 9-speaker system |
| TrailSport | Rugged trail-ready capability | 18-inch all-terrain | 2nd-row captain’s chairs | 9-speaker system |
| Touring | Premium family technology | 20-inch alloy | Stowable center seat | Bose premium system |
| Touring Blackout | Dark exterior styling | 20-inch black alloy | Stowable center seat | Bose premium system |
| Elite | Top comfort and visibility | 20-inch alloy | Heated 2nd-row seats | Bose premium system |
| Black Edition | Distinctive flagship design | 20-inch gloss-black alloy | Black Edition leather | Bose premium system |
2026 Honda Pilot Trim Options
Sport
Google built-in · Power tailgate · 20-inch alloy wheels · Heated front seats
The 2026 Honda Pilot Sport gives shoppers a strong starting point with the kind of equipment many families want from day one. Its 285-hp V-6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission provide confident acceleration, while Hill Descent Control and the 5-Mode Drive System help adapt performance for Normal, ECON, Snow, Tow, and Sport settings. Available i-VTM4® All-Wheel-Drive System support adds extra confidence for drivers who regularly cross open highways, gravel approaches, or changing road surfaces. Inside, the Sport feels modern and useful, thanks to heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, one-touch 2nd-row seats, and a hidden storage well. The 12.3-inch color touch-screen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay® compatibility, wireless Android Auto™ compatibility, Wi-Fi® Hotspot Capability, and CabinTalk® In-Car PA System makes it easy to stay connected and communicate with passengers. Honda Sensing® features, Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow add everyday reassurance.
EX-L
Leather-trimmed seats · Stowable 2nd-row center seat · Parking sensors · Wireless phone charger
The 2026 Honda Pilot EX-L is a smart step up for shoppers who want a more refined cabin without moving into the upper trims. Leather-trimmed seats bring a more upscale feel, and the stowable 2nd-row center seat adds real versatility for families who need to switch between passenger space and easier third-row access. Power front seats with driver’s memory seat, 2nd-row sunshades, front and 2nd-/3rd-row USB ports, and the wireless phone charger make the EX-L especially useful for busy households. It keeps the 12.3-inch color touch-screen, Google built-in, wireless smartphone compatibility, CabinTalk® In-Car PA System, and Wi-Fi® Hotspot Capability, so daily drives stay connected and organized. Parking sensors add another layer of convenience in lots, garages, and school pickup areas. Available i-VTM4® All-Wheel-Drive System support gives Brookings-area drivers added confidence when pavement conditions vary. For many online shoppers, the EX-L hits a sweet spot because it adds comfort, flexible seating, and thoughtful family features while preserving the Pilot’s core V-6 strength.
TrailSport
All-terrain tires · Skid plates · Integrated Class III trailer hitch · TrailWatch™
The 2026 Honda Pilot TrailSport is the trim for drivers who want the Pilot’s three-row practicality with added toughness for recreation, travel, and unpaved routes. It comes with i-VTM4® All-Wheel-Drive System with Trail Torque Logic, a 7-Mode Drive System, all-terrain tires, an off-road tuned suspension, steel skid plates, recovery points, and an integrated Class III trailer hitch. TrailWatch™ displays helpful camera views on the 12.3-inch touch-screen, supporting better awareness around obstacles and tight trail sections. The TrailSport also has nearly an inch of additional ground clearance, giving it more capability beyond pavement. Inside, durable synthetic leather seats with orange stitching, all-season floor mats, heated front seats, 2nd-row captain’s chairs, and a one-touch power panoramic moonroof create a cabin that feels both adventurous and comfortable. With up to 5,000 lb of towing capacity, this trim is ready for a small camper, utility trailer, or outdoor gear. It is the most purpose-built Pilot for shoppers who want capability beyond basic AWD.
Touring
Bose premium sound system · Hands-free access power tailgate · Multi-Zone Audio
The 2026 Honda Pilot Touring focuses on premium convenience and family-friendly technology. It keeps the Pilot’s strong V-6 powertrain and adds standard i-VTM4® All-Wheel-Drive System, along with the 7-Mode Drive System that includes Trail and Sand modes. That combination makes the Touring feel prepared for longer trips, changing roads, and everyday hauling needs. Inside, the Touring brings leather-trimmed seats, a stowable 2nd-row center seat, a one-touch power panoramic moonroof, and the Bose premium sound system for a richer listening experience. Multi-Zone Audio adds flexibility by letting sound be directed where it is most useful, and CabinTalk® In-Car PA System helps front-seat occupants speak to passengers in back without raising a voice. The hands-free access power tailgate with Walk Away Close is especially practical when loading groceries, sports equipment, luggage, or campus move-in supplies. With TrailWatch™, wireless phone charging, Google built-in, and a refined cabin layout, the Touring is a strong pick for shoppers who want comfort, convenience, and confidence in balanced form.
Touring Blackout
20-inch black alloy wheels · Black Honda badges · Black wheel lug nuts
The 2026 Honda Pilot Touring Blackout is designed for shoppers who like the Touring’s premium feature set but want a more distinctive exterior appearance. Its 20-inch black alloy wheels, Black Honda badges, and black wheel lug nuts give the SUV a bolder, cleaner look without changing the practical strengths that make the Pilot so appealing. The cabin keeps the comfort and technology shoppers expect from the Touring grade, including leather-trimmed seats, the stowable 2nd-row center seat, heated front seats, power front seats with driver’s memory seat, 2nd-row sunshades, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The Bose premium sound system, Multi-Zone Audio, Google built-in, wireless smartphone compatibility, Wi-Fi® Hotspot Capability, wireless phone charger, and CabinTalk® In-Car PA System make the Touring Blackout feel well equipped for daily life. The multiview camera system with TrailWatch™ and parking sensors also support driver awareness. For buyers who value design as much as function, the Touring Blackout adds visual personality while preserving the Pilot’s family-ready comfort and technology.
Elite
Head-Up Display · Rain-sensing windshield wipers · Ventilated front seats · Heated steering wheel
The 2026 Honda Pilot Elite raises the comfort level with premium amenities that make the SUV feel polished from every seat. It includes i-VTM4® All-Wheel-Drive System, the 7-Mode Drive System, and the same 285-hp V-6 engine, so capability remains a key part of the experience. Inside, the Elite adds perforated leather-trimmed seats with quilted Alcantara® accents and contrast piping, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard 2nd-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Those features make the cabin feel thoughtfully equipped for a wide range of driving needs. The Head-Up Display places key information in the driver’s line of sight, while rain-sensing windshield wipers add convenience when conditions change. The Elite also includes the Bose premium sound system, one-touch power panoramic moonroof, hands-free access power tailgate, wireless phone charger, Google built-in, TrailWatch™, and Multi-Zone Audio. For shoppers who want a quiet, comfortable, highly equipped three-row SUV with upscale detail, the Elite is one of the Pilot lineup’s most complete choices.
Black Edition
Gloss-black alloy wheels · Black Edition exterior trim · Red ambient LED lighting · Gloss black mirrors
The 2026 Honda Pilot Black Edition is the flagship choice for shoppers who want the most expressive Pilot design along with high-end comfort and technology. It builds on the Elite’s premium equipment and adds 20-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, Black Edition exterior trim, a Black Edition emblem, gloss black mirrors, and a Black Edition leather interior. Red ambient LED lighting gives the cabin a distinctive character, while perforated leather-trimmed seats with quilted Alcantara® accents and contrast piping keep the interior feeling upscale. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard 2nd-row seats, a heated steering wheel, the Head-Up Display, the Bose premium sound system, and the one-touch power panoramic moonroof all contribute to a refined ownership experience. Standard i-VTM4® All-Wheel-Drive System and the 7-Mode Drive System support confident travel, and the multiview camera system with TrailWatch™ enhances visibility in tight spaces or uneven surroundings. The Black Edition is ideal for drivers who want practical three-row space with a strong, premium, unmistakable presence.
Which 2026 Honda Pilot Trim is Best for Brookings Drivers?
For Brookings, SD drivers, the best Pilot trim depends on how the SUV will be used most often. Families commuting along I-29, heading to school activities, or making regular trips to Sioux Falls may appreciate the comfort and flexibility of the EX-L or Touring. Outdoor-focused shoppers who spend time near area lakes, gravel roads, campgrounds, or hunting land should look closely at the TrailSport because of its all-terrain equipment, TrailWatch™, skid plates, and standard towing-focused hardware. Drivers who want premium comfort for longer regional travel may prefer the Elite, while the Black Edition adds a more distinctive look. Vern Eide Honda recommends comparing cabin layout, AWD needs, towing plans, and comfort priorities before choosing. For many shoppers researching the 2026 Honda Pilot near Brookings, SD, the EX-L is the best overall balance, while the TrailSport is the clear choice for added adventure capability.
- Sport: Best for shoppers wanting core Pilot strength, modern tech, and practical three-row space.
- EX-L and Touring: Best for families wanting leather seating, flexible second-row use, and added convenience.
- TrailSport: Best for outdoor recreation, gravel routes, towing needs, and more rugged weekend plans.
- Elite and Black Edition: Best for drivers wanting premium comfort, upscale design, and advanced visibility features.
*Images may not show trim level described