Honda Pilot vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2026 Honda Pilot underwent a subtle transformation, adopting a more rugged and truck-like appearance with its larger, blockier grille and gray plastic scuff plates. The addition of standard roof rails across all trims contributed to its utilitarian style, while the rear bumper mirrored the front's scuff plate design. Despite these updates, the Pilot retained much of its previous exterior design, continuing the rugged aesthetic introduced three years prior. Inside, the Pilot's cabin saw enhancements with larger infotainment and digital instrument displays, and top trims featured unique diamond quilting in synthetic suede with contrasting stitching. A new trim element on the center console and door panels added visual interest, resembling wood, stone, or a snakeskin pattern depending on the angle and lighting.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt maintained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt continued to straddle the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV, with a single body style for 2027. Its tall and narrow design prioritized utility and interior space, while the RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt's cabin received a more dramatic makeover, with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space in the center console. Despite the abundance of hard plastic surfaces, the Bolt's interior offered practical storage solutions and a budget-friendly feel.

The 2026 Honda Pilot retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the Sport and EX-L trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option, while all other trims came standard with AWD. The Pilot's acceleration was more than adequate, providing confident merging and passing capabilities without the need for aggressive pedal inputs. The V6 engine offered a more confident sound compared to a four-cylinder, and the brake pedal effort was appropriately soft for a family SUV. Honda revised the steering for 2026, improving feedback and stability, resulting in a more confident driving experience without sacrificing the Pilot's sensible three-row SUV nature.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. A motor from Chevy's Equinox EV provided 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with 0-60 mph times similar to the previous Bolt EV, typically in the low seven-second range. While not the fastest by EV standards, the Bolt's acceleration was impressive compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, offering immediate pedal response. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high levels of brake regeneration, though the highest setting could be jumpy at low speeds. The Bolt's ride was firm but not overly stiff, and its low center of gravity contributed to surprising agility on curvy roads. The 2027 Bolt offered an EPA-estimated range of up to 262 miles on a full charge, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port standard on all models and increased charging speed from 55 kW to 150 kW.

The 2026 Honda Pilot's cabin remained largely unchanged, maintaining its reputation for interior space and versatility. A standout feature was the removable second-row center seat, allowing for both bench and captain's chair configurations. The center seat could be stowed under the cargo floor, providing flexibility without being too heavy to move. The second-row seats offered ample legroom and comfort, with sliding and reclining capabilities. Access to the third row was easy, with a single button folding the second-row seatback and sliding it forward. While the third row was suitable for smaller adults and children, the seat cushions were lower to the floor, reducing thigh support. The Pilot offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 112.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The front seats provided generous storage options, including a long tray, cupholders, and a large center armrest bin.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel, but the rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support. The Bolt's flat floor reduced the penalty for center-seat passengers, and the rear seats folded flat with the cargo floor in its upper position. The Bolt offered 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. While there was no frunk, the Bolt provided ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin. Additional pockets in the dashboard and moderate door pockets ensured sufficient storage options.

The 2026 Honda Pilot upgraded to a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel for all trims. The physical shortcut buttons were replaced with customizable on-screen shortcuts, and the system ran on the latest Honda software, offering quick response times and ease of use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though the wireless phone charger required an upgrade to the EX-L trim. The charging pad was temperamental, requiring precise phone placement. The Pilot retained unique features like multiple camera angles for parking and off-roading, as well as the Cabin Talk intercom feature.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system helped drivers find charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. The Bolt also offered vehicle-to-load charging, allowing it to serve as a backup power source for a home.

Crash test scores for the 2026 Honda Pilot were not available, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on the 2025 model's performance. The Pilot came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, and more. The safety features generally worked well, though the forward collision warning was slightly sensitive.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were also unavailable, but it was expected to perform well based on the 2023 Bolt EUV's platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and more. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs with such an advanced system.