2023 Honda Pilot Review: A Cohesive, Competitive Redesign Inside And Out

Advantages: category leader position; peculiarity of the second row; net travel TrailSport is really fun and incredibly powerful.

Cons: Thirsty V6 with no hybrid or turbo options

The Honda Pilot is all-new for 2023, bringing new specs and safer off-road styling to a class packed with speed. It's big, quiet, comfortable and packed with the best technology ever, a reminder that the Honda badge is synonymous with class leadership. Then there's the new TrailSport model, which combines beefier tires and increased ground clearance with Honda's torque vectoring all-wheel drive system and takes on the battle of outdoor adventures with Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek. and Ford Explorer Timberline (among others). . .

Investigation

Before the redesign, the Pilot was one of the more practical options in this segment, but it suffered from a surprising lack of hard-hitting options inside, out, and out. In 2023, the change will solve these problems. The new Rider has a more angular jawline and a deliberately sportier look that pairs well with the dark bodywork offered on the installed Elite and TrailSport fairings. Land Rover's vague interior blends well with the interior.

At the same time, it is based on the functionality of its predecessors, and we are not talking about the size of the balloons. For families who can't decide on a seven- or eight-passenger seating configuration, Honda has made the buying process a bit easier by offering a detachable second-row center seat that can also be removed on the fly. You need more storage space in your garage. Quality-of-life improvements like these help propel the driver into the incredibly tight field of three-row crossovers.

Interiors and Technology | Passenger and cargo area | performance and consumption

What is it like to drive | Prices and features | failure rates and safety features

What's new for 2023?

The Whole Thing The 2023 Pilot represents the latest step for Honda engineers, who have put just as much effort into the new Civic, HR-V and CR-V, as well as the updated Accord.

How is the interior of the pilot and the technology on board?

Honda has completely ditched the old window cab for a new, sleeker, more luxurious look. The front seats have been redesigned for better support and less fatigue. Materials, fit and finish show improvements over the previous generation and help make practicality one of the most attractive options in the class if you upgrade the cabin. There is no space under the console, but there is plenty of space in the dash compartment with room for clothing.

The Pilot finally gets the updated infotainment system that appeared on the last-generation Accord (and has since been replaced by the next-generation). While it's not exactly the latest and greatest from Honda, it's much better than what came before it in the Pilot, which means it's very competitive now. Whether you choose the standard 7-inch infotainment system or the upgraded 9-inch infotainment system, the physical button-to-touchscreen control ratio is ideal. The 10.2-inch digital cluster, only offered on the Elite, is easy on the eyes but doesn't offer many extra features.

The center console has USB-A and USB-C sockets for smartphones, as well as a standard 12-volt DC socket. USB-A charging is standard in the second row; Third-row doors become standard equipment on EX-L and above. The single USB-C 3.0A port on the front is nice, but we'd like to see more around the rear case. Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard (wireless is standard on EX-L and above). Elite's new Bose system is the first brand audio offered in Pilot history, and the new TrailWatch camera system features four external cameras with four different views.

How tall is the pilot?

The new driver describes the class average well. It's about 5 inches longer than the Toyota Highlander and 5 inches shorter than the Chevy Traverse, about the same as the Nissan Pathfinder. As a result, it skirts a bit more of a minivan interior. This is particularly true of the new second-row seating arrangement on the Touring and Elite trim levels. It's a bench seat, but like the Odyssey and Pilot's Acura MDX cousin, the center seat folds down to form a console-like armrest. It can also be removed from the car entirely or stored in a dedicated compartment in the driver's rear cargo area. Unlike its Pilot competitors, you don't have to choose between an eight-passenger bench seat or a seven-passenger captain's chair, but note that the TrailSport doesn't offer that feature. Between the Rider's updated all-wheel-drive system and full-size spare tire (should it go flat off-road), there's simply no room for the requisite cubbies.

The big Honda has one of the best parts in its class. The 40 inches of second-row legroom exceeds that of almost all competitors. Driver's third-row legroom has grown to a maximum of 32.5 inches, making it more comfortable in the 6-foot-plus category for older kids and adults, too. That puts it behind the Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder (both offer 28 inches) and the Chevy Traverse (33.5 inches).

The cargo area is 22.4 cubic feet, not including the huge floor, which can be used to carry more luggage (or that middle seat) as before. The latest generation Pilot was able to accommodate much more than the official volume, and we hope the same will be true for the new version.

What is the fuel consumption and driver performance?

The 2023 Pilot's V6 engine may initially appear unchanged from the 2022, but it's actually a new 3.5-liter DOHC (replacing the outgoing SOHC mill). The 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet are a bit higher, but not as much as you might expect. It comes with a 10-speed automatic gearbox and is paired with a manual gearbox.

Therefore, your power generation options are quite limited. The Pilot is available with standard front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive called i-VTM4. These are arguably the most advanced AWD systems in this category, as 70% of the engine's power can be sent to the rear axle and then 100% to one wheel. It is useful not only with poor absorption of climatic influences, but also when dealing with dry soil. This is complemented by a unique Trail Torque Logic system on TrailSport models and a corresponding "Trail" option on the (also new) Rider Drive Mode Select system.

Standard FWD models are rated at 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. Adding AWD brings it down to 19/25/21. The TrailSport model with alloy wheels and bump-clear body is rated at 18 mpg city, 23 highway and 20 combined.

Driver can be equipped to tow in 2WD and AWD configurations. 2WD towing capacity is a reasonable 3500 pounds; The choice of AWD brings the ceiling to 5,000, on par with the segment but just below the Kia Telluride (5,500), Ford Explorer (5,600) and Jeep Grand Cherokee L (6,200).

What is it like to drive the pilot?

Three-row crossovers aren't typically known for being a lot of fun to drive, but the driver is keeping up with a minivan with wheels, especially if you opt for AWD. While there may be a bit more noise as tire wear increases, if you're concerned about how your people mover feels, we obviously prefer the TrailSport. The thick rubber tread feels more comfortable than standard all-weather tread, adding an artistic touch to a quiet affair. As a standout of the Mazda CX-9, it's as good as it gets in a FWD-based crossover. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer can be specified with more powerful engines to accommodate rear-wheel drive dynamics.

On the road, the driver appears structured and comfortable. While we wish we had a hybrid option similar to the Highlander, the Pilot is actually better off without Toyota's massive hybrid system. It's smoother on the highway than the Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Telluride, or Hyundai Palisade and its V6, and its V6, while perhaps underrated by modern powertrain standards, offers plenty of pulling power when needed.

The TrailSport has a unique suspension with 1-inch lift (for an overall ground clearance of 8.3 inches) and improved approach and departure angles. Sway bars, spring rates and shock tuning are exclusive to TrailSport, as are the full-size spare tires and 18-inch wheels (TrailSport stamp) with Continental TerrainContact off-road tires. Skid plates protect the oil pan, transmission, and gas tank, and Honda claims that each can support the full weight of a rider falling onto a rock. The result is a surprisingly capable vehicle for little more than a minivan, though like the Pathfinder Rock Creek or Explorer Timberline, it's not particularly strong off-road. It's the kind of SUV that can get you on the trail but won't let you start your own fire. Those who know they need to do more than the bare minimum are well served with the three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L, available with a limited-range transmission.

What other Honda Pilot reviews can I read?

First Honda Drivers Guide 2023 | Wide stripes and broad shoulders

The room is getting tougher and he seems to be proving something.

First look at the 2023 Honda Driver: Sexier, more stable, more familiar

The new fourth-generation Pilot brings style to all of these features, including TrailSport

In the year

VTEC won't start, I

How much does Pilot 2023 cost and what features are available?

Starting at $37,295 (including $1,345 destination cost), the 2023 Pilot LX comes standard with LED headlights and taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as automatic air conditioning with three zones. The Sport adds electric regulation in the driver's seat and heating for both passengers. If you want the biggest infotainment system, go for EX-L or better. The Touring gets you a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and the loaded Elite is the only one offered with a HUD.

The TrailSport is an exceptional surface for the rider. This is the only way to get the aforementioned goodies in the field. Nestled between the Touring and Elite models, it conveys a uniquely rugged look and capability with a solid spec package.

Here are the prices for the 2023 Honda Pilot, broken down by configuration:

LX: $37,295
Sports: $40,495
EX-L: $43,295
Ride: $47,795
TrailSport (AWD only): $49,695
Elite (AWD only): $53,375

What are the driver safety standards and driver assistance features?

The 2023 Honda Pilot hasn't yet been rated by the US government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but we expect it to do well on both counts.

Standard safety equipment includes Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Adaptive Distance Sensing, Sign Recognition traffic, driver inattention and automatic high beam. Typically these features include the basic "Honda Sensing" safety package. Slow-speed brake control, cross-traffic control, and a parking sensor system are available on higher trim levels. Importantly, it's vastly improved over similar systems from the previous generation Pilot (adaptive cruise control in particular) and while it's not the most powerful in the segment (check out Kia and Hyundai for that), now are up to date Stand . Average.

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2023 Honda Pilot review: A complex and competitive redesign inside and out first appeared on AutoMK on Wednesday March 22, 2023. Please see our Feed Terms of Use.