2026 Honda Pilot: real cost in California
See the Pilot on Honda's US site ↗US prices read 2026-11-09
Cheapest trim, Sport · California · age 35–59 · 6 years · 13,500 mi a yearChange
Sticker$42,395the advertised price
Drive away$48,037with fees and tax
Loan payment$734/mo72-month loan at 7%, $5,000 down
True cost$1,386/moeverything, after resale
$48,037 to drive away + $70,936 to run it for 6 years − $19,156 back at resale = $99,817, or $1,386 a month.
Where the money goes
Drive away$48,037
Running it, 6 yrs+$70,936
Back at resale−$19,156
Sticker pricethe advertised MSRP
+$42,395Feesfreight $1,595 · doc fee $85 (typical)
+$1,680Sales and use tax, 8.99%California
+$3,962Fuel13,500 mi a year at 22 MPG
+$21,153Insuranceestimate, age 35–59, California
+$16,979Lost return on your money5% a year on the down payment and each payment
+$10,122Loan interest7% over 72 months
+$9,792Maintenanceestimate
+$9,769Title, registration and plates6 years in California, incl. 0.65% value tax a year
+$3,121Resale after 6 years45% of MSRP, you get this back
−$19,156True cost $99,817 ÷ 72 months$1,386 a month
The car
Size and space
BodySUV200.1 in long
Seats7, 8
Cargo48.5 cu ftbehind row 2
Ground clearance7.3 in
Engine and fuel
Engine285 hp gas, 2WD, AWD
0–60 mph6.7–7.0 sour estimate from power and weight
Fuel economy20–22 MPGEPA combined
TowingUp to 5,000 lb
Tires18" or 20"by trim
Safety and cover
Crash test✓ 5 of 5 starsNHTSA · see the test ↗
Highway assistSteers and brakeshands on the wheel · every trim
Warranty3 yrspowertrain 5 yrs
Resale at 6 years45% of MSRPaverage for its type
Every trim
All trims: 285 hp.| Sport | $42,395 | $48,037 | $99,817 | ✓ $1,386/mo | 8 | 3,500 | 22 MPG | — No | — No |
| Sport AWD | $44,495 | $50,326 | $103,193 | $1,433/mo | 8 | 5,000 | 21 MPG | — No | ✓ Yes |
| EX-L | $44,695 | $50,544 | $102,482 | $1,423/mo | 8 | 3,500 | 22 MPG | — No | — No |
| EX-L AWD | $46,795 | $52,833 | $105,858 | $1,470/mo | 8 | 5,000 | 21 MPG | — No | ✓ Yes |
| TrailSport | $50,595 | $56,975 | $111,396 | $1,547/mo | 7 | 5,000 | 20 MPG | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Touring | $51,295 | $57,737 | $111,224 | $1,545/mo | 8 | 5,000 | 21 MPG | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Touring Blackout | $52,495 | $59,045 | $112,576 | $1,564/mo | 8 | 5,000 | 21 MPG | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Elite | $53,695 | $60,353 | $114,002 | $1,583/mo | 8 | 5,000 | 21 MPG | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Black Edition | $55,195 | $61,988 | $115,692 | $1,607/mo | 8 | 5,000 | 21 MPG | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Sport
✓ $1,386/mo
True cost
Sport AWD
$1,433/mo
True cost
EX-L
$1,423/mo
True cost
EX-L AWD
$1,470/mo
True cost
TrailSport
$1,547/mo
True cost
Touring
$1,545/mo
True cost
Touring Blackout
$1,564/mo
True cost
Elite
$1,583/mo
True cost
Black Edition
$1,607/mo
True cost
Features, trim by trim
Cheapest on the left. Each bar starts at the trim that adds it.Feature
Sport$42,395
Sport AWD$44,495
EX-L$44,695
EX-L AWD$46,795
TrailSport$50,595
Touring$51,295
Touring Blackout$52,495
Elite$53,695
Black Edition$55,195
Safety and driver assist
Automatic braking
✓ Every trim
Blind-spot monitor
✓ Every trim
Rear cross-traffic alert
✓ Every trim
Adaptive cruise
✓ Every trim
Lane centering
✓ Every trim
360° camera
✓ from TrailSport
Parking sensors
✓ from EX-L
Comfort
Heated seats
✓ Every trim
Cooled seats
✓ from Elite
Heated steering wheel
✓
✓ from Elite
Heated rear seats
✓
✓ from Elite
Dual-zone climate
✓ Every trim
Convenience
Push-button start
✓ Every trim
Remote start
✓ Every trim
Power liftgate
✓ from Touring
Wireless phone charging
✓ from EX-L
Power driver's seat
✓ Every trim
Memory seat
✓ from EX-L
Tech and audio
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
✓ Every trim
Wireless CarPlay
✓ Every trim
Built-in navigation
✓ Every trim
Premium sound system
✓ from Touring
Head-up display
✓ from Elite
Capability and looks
AWD or 4WD
✓
✓ from EX-L AWD
Sunroof
✓ from TrailSport
Panoramic roof
✓ from TrailSport
LED headlights
✓ Every trim
Not listed on any trimHands-free drivingMassaging seatsLarge touchscreen (12 in+)Tow hitch included
Full standard equipment on the Sport (33 items)
- Google built-in
- Power Lift Tailgate
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)
- Compact Spare Tire
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Blind Spot Information System (BSI)
- Cross Traffic Monitor
- Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines
- Rearview Camera Washer
- Key Fob Activated Remote Engine Start
- Power Door and Tailgate Locks
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control System with Humidity Control, Air Filtration
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- 10.2-Inch Digital Instrument Cluster
- 245-Watt Audio System with 9 Speakers, Including Subwoofer
- Wireless Apple CarPlay Compatibility
- Wireless Android Auto Compatibility
- Wi-Fi Hotspot Capability
- 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Charging Port - Front Console (1 Port)
- 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Charging Port - 2nd Row (2 Ports)
- HondaLink
- HondaLink Subscription Services
- Heated Front Seats
- Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, Including 2-Way Power Lumbar Support
- Front Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment
- 60 / 40 Split, Flat-Folding 3rd-Row Bench Seat
- LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off
- LED Fog Lights
- Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock (Front Door and Tailgate)
Recalls
8 NHTSA recalls for 2024 to 2026 Pilot models. Dealers fix them free; a new car should have them done before delivery. Ask the dealer to check the VIN.
Suspension2026 · 3,933 vehicles
The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.Recall 26V424000 at NHTSA ↗Seats2024 · 32 vehicles
The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in a loose seat.Recall 26V054000 at NHTSA ↗Service brakes2024, 2025 · 259,033 vehicles
The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position.Recall 25V391000 at NHTSA ↗Seat belts2025 · 1,494 vehicles
The third-row passenger seat belt assembly may not function, due to incorrect routing that traps the seat belt behind the passenger side panel.Recall 25V056000 at NHTSA ↗Fuel system2024, 2025 · 294,612 vehicles
A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.Recall 25V031000 at NHTSA ↗Fuel system2024, 2025 · 205,760 vehicles
The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.Recall 24V900000 at NHTSA ↗Quick answers
- How much is a 2026 Pilot in California?
- $48,037 to drive away for the Sport, from a $42,395 sticker.
- What does it cost a month?
- A $734 loan payment, about $1,442 a month with insurance, fuel and upkeep ($5,000 down); about $1,386 a month all in, after resale.
- How much can it tow?
- 3,500 lb for the Sport and EX-L; 5,000 lb for every other trim.
Similar SUVs
US prices in US dollars from Honda's US website, read 2026-11-09; destination as the brand lists it. Taxes, registration and the dealer doc fee follow your state. Insurance and maintenance are estimates. How we count.