The fourth-gen 2023 Honda Pilot has class-leading passenger space, sits on an all-new, stiffer platform, and brings a more attractive design than its predecessor.
Honda is ready to rock the three-row SUV segment with the all-new 2023 Pilot. With a new engine, improved comfort, and a rugged TrailSport trim, the new SUV is ready to take on any of its competitors.
The most noticeable change on the 2023 Pilot is the much-improved styling. Honda has stepped up the game significantly with the design, but that wasn’t very hard, as the previous model was very forgettable. Now, the Pilot has more angular lines, a bigger hood, and a muscular fascia, giving it a rugged appearance, particularly in the TrailSport trim. It gives off some CR-V vibes, but that’s not bad, as Honda’s latest compact crossover looks neat.
The 2023 Pilot sits on Honda’s new light truck architecture, with a longer wheelbase of 113.8 inches (+2.8 inches). Honda says the change brings a smoother ride while also improving interior space.
However, the 2023 Pilot also sees improved dynamics and refinement, thanks to a stiffer body structure — 60% front and 30% rear. Also, the wider tracks (+1.1 to 1.2 inches in front and +1.4 to 1.5 inches in the rear) further improve handling and stability. The 2023 Pilot is 199.9 inches long (+3.4 inches), 71 inches high, and 78.5-inch wide.
Honda will keep offering the 2023 Pilot with a V6 engine, but it’s an entirely new 3.5-liter unit producing 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. In addition, Honda replaced the old 9-speed with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which sends the power to either the front wheels or all four wheels via Honda’s i-VTM4 setup.
The i-VTM4 AWD system in the TrailSport model also has torque vectoring and improved off-road traction. The TrailSport and Elite trims even get the TrailWatch camera system, which gives a 360-degree view of the SUV’s underpinnings, helping the driver see the terrain better.
The cabin also sees a thorough makeover, although surprisingly, it doesn’t completely follow the design language from the latest Civic and CR-V. Honda opted for a more traditional take on the dashboard, with traditional HVAC vents and a storage area instead of the mesh on the Civic/CR-V.
As expected, the 2023 Pilot gets a larger 9.0-inch infotainment display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. However, the base 2023 Pilot Sport only gets a small 7.0-inch center screen, which would look quite comical on the big dash.
But perhaps more importantly, the 8-seat Pilot now has more room inside — Honda promises class-leading overall passenger space. Notably, there is more knee room in the second and third rows and a higher reclining angle. Besides, the middle row features a multi-function removable middle seat, providing discreet seating options for higher comfort.
The 2023 Pilot will be available in five trims — Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. Honda hasn’t announced prices, though expect a slight price increase over the previous model’s $37,580.
Gallery: 2023 Honda Pilot
