There have been a number of sturdy new entrants within the three-row SUV area, so the 2023 Honda Pilot must be the very best one but to stay aggressive. This all-new fourth-generation Pilot arrives with extra energy, extra space inside, and essentially the most off-road functionality within the mannequin’s historical past. The 2023 Pilot is available in 5 easy-to-digest trim ranges: Sport, EX-L, Touring, Elite, and the off-road TrailSport. Honda flew DrivingOnRoad out to Sedona, Arizona, to pattern the Pilot in its fully-loaded Elite and rugged TrailSport trim ranges.
In our transient time behind the wheel, we needed to seek out out of Honda’s newest updates have made the Pilot a worthy rival to our favourite SUVs within the mid-size phase, the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. This is how the 2023 Pilot stacks up in opposition to the competitors.
Exterior: Again To Boxy
The primary- and second-gen Pilot had a boxy form that regarded rugged and succesful, however then Honda went curvy for the third technology. That softer styling gave the Pilot a minivan-like demeanor that doubtlessly remoted patrons who needed a extra truck-like SUV. For the fourth technology, Honda has introduced again the upright, extra squared-off proportions that made the primary two Pilot generations fashionable.
Highlights of the brand new design embrace an expanded greenhouse, normal LED headlights, and a stronger dash-to-axle ratio. This new mannequin is 3.4 inches longer (with a 2.8-inch longer wheelbase) and marginally taller than the outgoing one – the TrailSport has a top of 72 inches. 20-inch wheels come normal on the Sport, Touring, and Elite trims, whereas the EX-L and TrailSport get smaller 18-inch wheels, with the latter’s Shark Grey alloys wrapped in all-terrain tires for the primary time on a Pilot. Different options that set the TrailSport aside embrace a gloss black entrance grille, orange badging, a one-inch suspension raise, entrance/rear restoration factors, an built-in Class III trailer hitch, and metal underbody skid plates.
Out there to all fashions is an HPD (Honda Efficiency Growth) Bundle, which might be added for black or bronze wheels. Radiant Purple joins the Pilot’s colour palette, as does a TrailSport-exclusive Subtle Sky Blue Pearl that appears incredible.
Efficiency: A New V6
Honda says the Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 is “all-new,” not simply an up to date model of the earlier V6. With 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, it is essentially the most highly effective V6 Honda has ever provided within the US market. That energy comes courtesy of a brand new twin overhead camshaft design and direct injection system. It additionally ditches Honda’s legendary VTEC system, which means it loses the attribute crossover sound. Different modifications to the engine have helped decrease emissions, however gas financial system is a bit decrease than the outgoing Pilot as a consequence of a rise in weight and wheel measurement. Honda says the Pilot achieves 19/27/22 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed with FWD, 19/25/21 mpg with AWD, and 18/23/20 mpg in TrailSport guise.
The brand new V6 comes mated to Honda’s 10-speed automated transmission, which is a big enchancment over the outgoing ZF automated. It may well downshift as much as 4 gears directly, making acceleration extra available. Towing is rated at 5,000 kilos with AWD and three,500 lbs with 2WD
Driving Impressions: Quieter Trip
Honda says the newest Pilot boats a quieter cabin due to extra acoustic spray foam within the pillars, sound-deadening soften sheets within the flooring, thicker carpeting, and acoustic glass. There may be additionally lively noise cancelation that reduces undesirable noise and pumps engine sound again into the cabin underneath acceleration. Acceleration from the brand new V6 would not really feel speedy, although we have been driving the Pilot at altitude the place a naturally aspirated engine usually struggles. From our restricted time driving the Pilot on the freeway, Honda’s efforts have been profitable in making a extra serene driving expertise. Trip consolation is equally nice.
The steering feels mild with a barely faster ratio, giving the motive force succinct management over the automobile. We have been significantly impressed by the newest normal Honda Sensing driver security suite, which now options improved cameras and radar. The adaptive cruise management and lane maintain help work extremely nicely, with a show within the gauge cluster than can present the curvature of the street forward.
Off-Roading: Prepared For The Superior Trails
Half of our time within the Pilot was spent off-roading on Arizona’s gorgeous mountain trails. What we anticipated to be a reasonably informal cruise over some grime was a reasonably intense climb up steep obstacles. The off-road-focused Pilot TrailSport proved that it will possibly deal with all the pieces the typical household can throw at it and past. That one-inch raise pays dividends when traversing obstacles. When you misjudge how steep the terrain is, the metal skid plates shield a lot of the vital {hardware} underneath the automotive.
All-terrain tires drastically enhance traction, even when moist, and Honda’s second-gen i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system makes off-roading lifeless easy even for a novice. It features a stronger rear differential that may handle as much as 40% extra torque, supplies sooner response, and supplies extra grip when wanted. Honda says as much as 70% of the engine torque might be despatched to the rear, and as much as 100% of that may be moved left or proper. We took full benefit of the brand new Path Mode, which calibrates the throttle and AWD system for off-roading and activates the 360-degree TrailWatch digicam system.
Inside: Massive And Versatile
The brand new Pilot’s bigger proportions end in a extra spacious cabin. Rear legroom is improved by 2.4 inches whereas the third row will get 0.6 inches extra. We love the pliability within the second row, which affords sliding seats and as much as 10 levels of incline. Just like the Acura MDX, you possibly can take away the center seat on the eight-passenger mannequin, and retailer it underneath the ground within the trunk (the TrailSport will get second-row captain’s chairs for a seven-seat structure, as normal). Honda even included small pockets within the entrance seatbacks for telephones and different units. The third row feels a bit tight for 3 individuals, however is well spacious sufficient for 2 kids.
Honda paid particular consideration to the cupholders, which complete 14, eight of which may accommodate a 32-ounce water bottle. The corporate additionally introduced again the helpful storage shelf in entrance of the passenger. Total, the supplies really feel premium, although we solely hung out within the prime Elite trim and the TrailSport. The Elite trim comes with heated/ventilated entrance seats and heated rear seats, nevertheless it lacks the ventilated rear seats and heated third row discovered within the Palisade.
The bottom Sport trims comes with a seven-inch touchscreen, whereas EX-L and up get a bigger nine-inch unit. That is pretty small for the phase, however the system is straightforward to make use of and options wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All fashions get a seven-inch driver info interface, however the top-end Elite has a ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster as normal.
Pricing: On-Par With Different Three-Rows
Pricing for the 2023 Pilot Sport begins at $39,150 (not together with a $1,345 vacation spot and dealing with charge). That is just a few thousand greater than a base Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, or Toyota Highlander. Including AWD to any of the trims provides $2,000. The EX-L trim retails for $41,950 as a typical eight-seater, however for $300 you possibly can go for second-row captain’s chairs. The Touring provides extra luxurious for $46,450.
The TrailSport consists of much less gear than the Touring, however provides normal AWD and extra off-road functionality for $48,350. On the high quality, the Elite trim additionally comes with AWD for $52,030. That’s fairly akin to different mid-size three-row SUVs on this phase.
Verdict: The New Rugged Possibility
Homeowners who love their first- or second-generation Honda Pilot however thought the third-gen mannequin regarded too tender will love the newest fourth-gen mannequin. The styling is vastly improved as is the aptitude from the rugged TrailSport trim. No, it will not sustain with the 4Runner or Wrangler, however it’ll climb increased than a Ford Explorer Timberline, Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek, or Volkswagen Atlas Basecamp. Households who wish to take their children tenting or do different outside actions will love the TrailSport, whereas patrons who plan to remain on the crushed path will get pleasure from Honda’s on-road enhancements.
We nonetheless imagine the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are essentially the most well-rounded choices on this phase, however the Honda Pilot affords enhancements in off-road functionality and inside quantity with extra cargo area than both of the Korean choices. If both of these is a precedence, we suggest the brand new Pilot.