2026 Pilot Sport

What the refresh gave the entry trim

In most model refreshes, the base trim gets whatever's left over. The 2026 Pilot flips that: the three features Honda made standard across the whole lineup, the bigger touchscreen, the bigger cluster, and the self-opening tailgate, were exactly the ones the outgoing Sport lacked. Add a Wi-Fi hotspot capability, tri-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats, all standard here, and the gap between the Sport and the trims costing $10,000 more shrinks considerably on the tech side.

Safety was never where Honda held back. The Sport carries the full Honda Sensing suite, collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist with traffic jam assist, blind spot information, cross traffic monitor, and traffic sign recognition, identical to every trim above it. Nothing structural or safety-related is reserved for the Black Edition.

What it looks like and rides on

The Sport wears 20-inch Shark Gray alloy wheels, larger than the EX-L's 18s one rung up, black cloth seats with a 10-way power driver's seat, and a fixed center seat in row two, giving it 8-passenger seating standard. The interior skips leather, and there's no moonroof on the Sport this year, that feature starts at TrailSport for 2026. What it doesn't skip is space: the same up to 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume and hidden underfloor storage well as every other trim, since the body and packaging are shared across the range.

FWD, AWD, and what $2,100 buys

Front-wheel-drive Sport models get a 5-mode drive system (Normal, ECON, Snow, Tow, Sport) and are EPA-rated 19 city / 27 highway, towing up to 3,500 pounds. Add i-VTM4 all-wheel drive for $2,100 and the Sport picks up a 7-mode system, drops slightly to 19/25 highway, and its tow rating climbs to 5,000 pounds. For a household that mostly stays local, FWD is a perfectly reasonable way into a new Pilot; for anyone who tows a trailer, or wants the traction margin for the first slick morning of a Staten Island winter, the AWD Sport is the trim to configure.

Where the Sport fits a Staten Island budget

Coming in under $43,000 for a new three-row V6 SUV leaves room for what New York adds afterward, the 8.875% city sales tax, registration, and insurance that costs what New York insurance costs. That's the honest case for the Sport: it isn't a stripped-down placeholder, it's the same body-in-white, the same 285-hp V6, and the same up-to-8-passenger seating as the Black Edition six trims up. One recent buyer described the process behind the wheel of a new Pilot as smooth from the start: "was awesome to work with! ... helped us find the perfect Honda Pilot and made the whole experience smooth and stress-free. Super professional, friendly, and really knew his stuff." Shoppers working from a monthly-payment target rather than a features wish list should start their test drive here, then check the current new-car specials before assuming the EX-L is out of reach.

Frequently asked questions

What's included on the base 2026 Pilot Sport?

The 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, the 10.2-inch digital cluster, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, remote engine start, a power tailgate with roof rails, full Honda Sensing, 20-inch wheels, and 8-passenger seating with a fixed center row. What it doesn't get: leather, a moonroof, or parking sensors.

Does the Sport have a moonroof?

No. For 2026, Honda restructured the moonroof lineup so it starts at TrailSport; neither the Sport nor the EX-L has one this year. If a moonroof matters, the TrailSport guide is the trim to read next.

Should I get the Sport in FWD or AWD?

FWD saves $2,100 and covers most Staten Island driving fine on decent tires. AWD adds traction for winter and lifts the tow rating from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds, worth it if a trailer or boat is ever part of the plan, or if peace of mind on ice matters more than the price difference.

How much cargo room does the Sport have?

Up to 113.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, plus a hidden underfloor storage well, identical to every other 2026 Pilot trim. The Sport's cargo capacity isn't reduced compared with pricier trims; only the interior materials and features change up the ladder.

Is the Sport in stock at Honda of Staten Island?

Browse live Pilot inventory at Honda of Staten Island, or call the sales team at 718-701-8269 to check current Sport availability and colors.

The bottom line

The 2026 refresh made the Sport the strongest base Pilot Honda has offered: the same V6, the same body, the same safety suite as every trim above it, now with the bigger screen and self-opening tailgate included rather than upsold. Unless leather or a moonroof is non-negotiable, a test drive here is worth the twenty minutes before assuming a pricier trim is required.