2023 Honda Pilot: A New Generation Begins

What do you think when you hear about the Honda Pilot? If visions of a mundane three-row midsize SUV arrive in your mind, it’s time to rethink things.

The 2023 model year ushers in a brand-new fourth-generation of this Honda SUV. For this year, the Pilot becomes the most powerful SUV in Honda’s history, giving us a vehicle that can be more capable than ever before. The Pilot comes to the market with the rugged new styling. More passenger and cargo room and a dedicated off-road trim make it one of the most active and dynamic SUVs in its class.

When Will We See This New Honda SUV?

You haven’t missed the arrival of the Pilot at your local Honda dealership yet. This new version of the Pilot arrives next month and will be offered in five different trim levels: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. When this new Honda SUV arrives, you can expect the TrailSport trim to be one of the most popular choices. This is the new off-road trim offered, and it brings a ton of great features to make sure you can enjoy some fun and adventures out in the wilderness.

What Does the New TrailSport Trim Bring?

After proving itself during the Rebelle Rally, the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport showed that it can be a fantastic off-road SUV. This means you’ll have three rows of seats for a family adventure out on the trails. The new Pilot TrailSport includes a raised off-road tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, and an expanded AWD system. These qualities make driving this SUV much more fun when you turn away from the lined roads and head out for some adventures in the wilderness. Where will you take the TrailSport when you get behind the wheel?

The Cabin is More Versatile

You don’t have to buy a minivan to have a second row of seats that are stored away under the floor. This Honda SUV has removable second-row seats that can be stored under the rear cargo floor. Yes, this moves the seats away from their natural position to put them in the rear, but it creates a better load floor and turns the Pilot into an SUV that can carry lots of cargo. You’ll find a more comfortable third row, the best-in-class passenger space, and plenty of cargo room behind the rear seats when you drive this SUV.

What’s New in the 2023 Honda Pilot?

This new version of the Pilot SUV brings a long list of new items to the mix. These new features are:

• Rugged exterior design
• More powerful V6 engine
• Improved i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD
• More modern and comfortable interior
• Class-leading passenger space
• First-in-class removable middle seat in Touring and Elite trims
• Larger cargo volume
• Standard digital instrument screen
• 10.2-inch digital instrument display for the Elite trim
• 9-inch HD infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite trims
• Standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the Sport trim
• Seven drive modes including Sport, Tow, and Trail
• Standard Honda Sensing system with new wide-view camera and radar
• Standard Hill Descent Control
• Improved front passenger airbag
• Standard driver and front-passenger knee airbags
• Trail torque logic for off-road performance in the TrailSport trim
• TrailWatch camera system for navigating obstacles on the trails in the TrailSport and Elite trims

How Much Power Does this New Honda SUV Offer?

The Pilot uses an improved version of the 3.5-liter V6 engine to give this SUV the most power offered in any Honda SUV. This engine brings 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, giving this SUV plenty of power for the drive. This engine uses a new 10-speed automatic transmission to send power to either the front wheels or to all four, giving this SUV the power where it needs it. The max tow rating of the Pilot is 5,000 pounds, which should be more than enough for some fun when you pull some ATVs or a small boat.

Some Features of this SUV that Make a Difference

That Finger Rest is Amazing

Finally, an automaker figured out that drivers make adjustments to their infotainment system while on the go. The new Honda Pilot has a slightly recessed infotainment screen to give you a small finger rest in case you hit a bump and need to avoid making the wrong selection on your screen.

Traffic Jam Assist can be Helpful

The new Traffic Jam Assist feature is standard across the trim. This feature makes small adjustments while driving at speeds below 45 mph. These small adjustments keep the Pilot in its lane while you drive.

The Digital Instrument Cluster Takes the Pilot into the Future

All 2023 Honda Pilot SUVs have digital instrument displays. The Elite trim has a 10.2-inch model, while the rest use a 7-inch unit. This system offers customizable screens to show the information you desire during your drive.

One Step Up for Wireless Connectivity

If you step up to at least the EX-L trim, you’ll have wireless connectivity and a larger touchscreen for your infotainment connection. This means you can carry your phone in your pocket or purse and will instantly be connected when you start the Pilot.

Higher Trims Deliver Wireless Charging

Part of the four higher trims of the Pilot is the wireless charging technology you desire. These trims have wireless connectivity to give you a place to charge your phone while you drive. This is the perfect combination of items for these higher trims.

A Toughness for the Trails in the TrailSport trim

The TrailSport version of this Honda SUV gives you a thick steel skid plate for the gas tank, transmission, and oil pan to ensure you won’t damage some of the most important features of your SUV.

Is the 2023 Honda Pilot the right SUV to drive? It certainly can be. This new generation of the Pilot brings more power, capability, and features to give you the driving experience desired when you head out on the roads. Get behind the wheel and take this SUV for a test drive once it arrives at your local Honda dealership next month.