What engine, fuel economy and towing does the Honda Pilot carry for Panama City drivers?
The Honda Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 285 horsepower, and Honda publishes towing ratings of 3,500 or 5,000 pounds depending on the trim. If you pull a boat or camper from Panama City to the Gulf, those figures decide which Pilot you can hitch up and which one suits your daily drive.
Honda’s own numbers answer the engine, mileage and towing questions for each trim, and Group 1 Honda Panama City, the only Honda franchise in Panama City, is where you can see the right trim in stock, set it up for your load and keep it serviced.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Panama City. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
What engine, mpg and towing does the Honda Pilot have?
The 2026 Pilot runs a 3.5-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and Honda publishes a maximum towing capacity for each trim. EPA fuel economy ratings for city, highway and combined driving change with the drivetrain and trim. At Group 1 Honda Panama City we sell the new Pilot alongside the Passport, CR-V, Odyssey and Ridgeline, so you can compare the trim you tow with and the one you drive every day at 3601 E 15th St.
What V6 engine and horsepower does the Honda Pilot use?
The 2026 Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine. Honda lists 285 horsepower at 6,100, along with torque of 262 lb-ft at 5,000, for every trim it publishes, from the EX-L 2WD to the TrailSport AWD. Torque at 5,000 is the figure that matters when you add weight, because it is what gets a loaded SUV moving from a stop and up a grade. Honda pairs the engine with an automatic transmission, which the EPA lists as S10.
How much can the Honda Pilot tow, and what is the tongue weight?
Honda lists a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds on the 2WD EX-L and Sport. Every AWD trim, including the EX-L, Sport, Black Edition, Elite, Touring and TrailSport, carries 5,000 pounds. For a Panama City driver, that gap decides whether a boat or camper can make the trip to the Gulf. Tongue weight is the downward load a trailer places on the hitch, so check your trailer’s tongue weight against the Pilot’s rating before you hitch up.
What gas mileage does the Honda Pilot get for Panama City driving?
The EPA rates the 2026 Pilot AWD at 19 city and 25 highway, the AWD TrailSport at 18 and 23, and the FWD at 19 and 27. The combined figure is the one to compare, and it weights city driving at 55% and highway driving at 45% (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026). Automakers test a representative vehicle over five test cycles on a dynamometer, and the EPA independently confirms roughly 15% of results (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026).
| Pilot trim | City mpg | Highway mpg | Combined mpg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot AWD | 19 | 25 | 21 |
| Pilot AWD Touring, Elite or Black Edition | 19 | 25 | 21 |
| Pilot AWD TrailSport | 18 | 23 | 20 |
| Pilot FWD | 19 | 27 | 22 |
What trim and towing setup suits a boat or camper in Panama City?
Choose the trim by its towing rating first, then by the drivetrain you need. Starting prices run from $42,395 for the Sport 2WD to $55,195 for the Black Edition AWD, and the towing rating rises from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds at the AWD step.
| Pilot trim | Honda starting MSRP | Max towing |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot Sport 2WD | $42,395 | 3,500 lbs |
| Pilot EX-L AWD | $46,795 | 5,000 lbs |
| Pilot Touring AWD | $51,295 | 5,000 lbs |
| Pilot Black Edition AWD | $55,195 | 5,000 lbs |
We can show you the Pilot trim that matches your load. We also offer custom ordering of a new Honda when the trim you need is not the one you find first.
Where can Panama City drivers service a Honda Pilot and buy parts?
Group 1 Honda Panama City services and supplies parts for the Pilot at 3601 E 15th St, Panama City, FL 32404, and service appointments can be booked online. Our service and parts departments are open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed Sunday. Service is reached at (850) 392-2860 and parts at (850) 392-2876. Parts can be requested online by submitting contact and model details, and we call when the parts are ready for pickup. Our service center uses factory-trained technicians.
One customer described the updates that came with the visit: In a June 2026 Google review, Arienevaeh wrote: “I had the pleasure of working with Mariela as my sales representative, and I cannot say enough great things about my experience. From start to finish, her communication was exceptional. She was always quick to respond, kept me informed throughout the entire process, and made everything seamless and stress-free.”
Why do Panama City Honda drivers buy from Group 1 Honda Panama City?
Group 1 Honda Panama City holds a 4.6 rating on Google across 3,412 reviews, and it is the only Honda franchise in Panama City. Buyers can shop, value a trade, apply for financing online, or buy a new Honda online through AcceleRide and have it delivered. Our Google record is 83 in 100 five-star reviews (Google, 2026).
Our trade offer is labeled instant and is valid for seven days or up to 250 miles, and trade offers depend on inspection, vehicle condition and current market value. Choosing by make and model returns only a broad estimate drawn from past data, so the figure may shift. We buy vehicles outright, and we also take them as trade-ins. Our payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount.
Jennie R. posted a Google review in July 2026 about leasing a CR-V here, saying: “I leased my CRV with Matthew Tomasello and it was a great experience. He’s straightforward, honest, and answered every question I had without making me feel rushed. He has a great personality too which made the process actually enjoyable. I highly recommend Matthew!”
Frequently asked questions
What is the Honda Pilot’s maximum towing capacity?
Honda lists 3,500 pounds for the 2WD EX-L and Sport. It lists 5,000 pounds for the AWD versions of the EX-L, Sport, TrailSport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition. Plan your trailer around the trim you are buying, not the lineup as a whole.
Does the Honda Pilot have a V6 engine?
Yes. The 2026 Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 is rated at 285 horsepower with 262 lb-ft of torque on the trims Honda publishes, paired with an automatic transmission.
How many miles per gallon does the Honda Pilot get?
EPA ratings for the 2026 Pilot are 19 city and 25 highway on AWD, 18 and 23 on the AWD TrailSport, and 19 and 27 on FWD. Combined ratings run from 20 to 22 mpg, with the FWD trim highest.
Does the Honda Pilot come in all-wheel drive?
Yes. The EX-L and Sport trims come in both 2WD and AWD, while the TrailSport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition are AWD only. Pick AWD when your towing and beach trips call for it, and 2WD when you want the lower starting price.
Can I test drive a Honda Pilot in Panama City?
Yes. To book a test drive, scan a QR code and upload a driver’s license. Our sales department at 3601 E 15th St, Panama City, FL 32404 is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM until 7:00 PM, and on Saturday it runs 8:30 AM through 6:00 PM, closed Sunday. Sales is reached at (850) 763-5495.
How do I get an itemized quote on a Honda Pilot?
Use our payment calculator, which accepts a trade-in offer amount, and start our secure online finance application, where you can apply and get approved. We also offer a First Time Buyer Program for qualified buyers with no prior auto loan history.
How Group 1 Honda Panama City matches a Pilot trim to your towing load
Panama City drivers who tow to the Gulf start with the trim, and we can help you find the Pilot that matches the trailer you pull. The 2WD and AWD trims carry different ratings, so the trailer and the trim belong in the same conversation. Our service center at 3601 E 15th St keeps the Pilot running after the sale with factory-trained technicians.
Our record is 4.6 stars across 3,412 Google reviews, and buyers can finish the purchase with us once the trim is set. Start with the Pilot trim that fits your load, then keep it serviced with us.
Group 1 Honda Panama City is where the Pilot’s towing numbers become a trim you can drive home. Start with the trim that matches your trailer, then book the service visit that keeps it running.
Group 1 Honda Panama City 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 Panama City showroom, or call (850) 763-5495.
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 Group 1 Honda Panama City for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
