2026 Honda Pilot Performance & Towing Guide: V6 Power for Central MA Drivers

Central Massachusetts families put their SUVs to work. One weekend it’s a boat launch at Wachusett Reservoir, the next it’s a loaded camper headed up Route 2 toward the White Mountains. The 2026 Honda Pilot was built to handle all of it without asking you to choose between comfort and capability.

The Engine: A Proven 3.5-Liter V6

Every 2026 Pilot trim — from the Sport at $43,690 through the Black Edition at $56,490 — runs the same 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters. For Lancaster and Leominster families tired of the downsized turbocharged four-cylinders spreading through the segment, the Pilot’s naturally aspirated V6 delivers linear, predictable power whether you are merging onto I-190 or climbing a loaded trailer up a highway grade. No turbo lag. No CVT drone.

EPA estimates land at 19 city and 27 highway MPG for FWD models, with AWD returning 19 city and 25 highway for a 21 MPG combined rating — sensible numbers for a three-row SUV with genuine towing capability.

Towing: Up to 5,000 Pounds

AWD-equipped Pilot models are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped with the available towing package — enough for a mid-size pontoon boat, a lightweight travel trailer, or two personal watercraft. FWD Sport and EX-L models tow up to 3,500 pounds. Trailer Stability Assist and Hill Start Assist come standard across the lineup for confident departures on steep launch ramps and loaded highway pulls.

The i-VTM4 AWD System and Seven Drive Modes

The Pilot’s available i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD system actively distributes power side-to-side across the rear wheels — not just front to rear — so if one wheel loses grip on an icy Fitchburg back road, the system redirects torque to the other instantly. On dry pavement, the same technology sharpens cornering by directing power to the outside rear wheel.

All trims come standard with five drive modes: Normal, Econ, Sport, Snow, and Tow. EX-L and above add Trail and Sand. Tow Mode adjusts the transmission’s shift mapping to keep the V6 in its optimal power band under load — a meaningful difference on a long highway haul with a trailer attached. Snow Mode recalibrates throttle and AWD response for the kind of winter driving that is simply a fact of life in Central Massachusetts.

The TrailSport at $51,890 adds standard i-VTM4 AWD, nearly an inch of additional ground clearance, steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, Trail Torque Logic, Hill Descent Control, and the TrailWatch camera system — which stitches together front, side, and rear camera feeds on the 12.3-inch touchscreen for real-time terrain awareness on access roads and campsite approaches.

Ready to Feel It for Yourself?

The 2026 Pilot delivers 285 horsepower, a smooth 10-speed automatic, up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, and a torque-vectoring AWD system that adapts to every Central Massachusetts season. Contact the team at Ron Bouchard Honda in Lancaster today to schedule your test drive.

Browse 2026 Honda Pilot inventory in-person at Ron Bouchard Honda today.