2023 Honda Pilot: Specs, Prices, Ratings, and Reviews (2024)

A 3.5-liter V6 engine is standard on every Pilot. The engine is rated at 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Compared to last year, it’s a 5 hp increase, though engine displacement remains the same. The engine is paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available for $2,000 on most trims. The TrailSport and Elite are only available with AWD.

Official fuel economy figures aren’t available yet, but the SUV isn’t expected to be much more efficient than the outgoing Pilot which was rated at up to 23 mpg combined with FWD.

The midsize Pilot offers seating for up to eight people. Second-row captain’s chairs that reduce seating capacity to seven become available on the EX-L trim and are an extra $300.

The Pilot offers up to 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 48.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. With the two rear rows of seats folded, the Pilot offers up to 87 cubic feet of space.

Every Pilot comes with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features that includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, automatic high-beam assist, a driver attention monitor, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Moving up to the EX-L adds low-speed braking control and parking sensors. A surround-view camera is standard starting on the TrailSport and Elite.

The base Sport comes with a seven-inch touchscreen, a seven-inch driver information screen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven audio speakers. The EX-L comes with wireless smartphone compatibility, third-row USB ports, nine audio speakers, a nine-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, an HD Radio, and a wireless charging pad. Navigation, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and multi-zone audio are standard starting on the Touring trim.

Stepping up to the EX-L trim adds heated exterior mirrors, a power liftgate, an acoustic windshield, rear HVAC controls, a universal garage door opener, second-row sunshades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a conversation mirror, leather upholstery, and a memory setting for the driver’s seat.

Second-row captain’s chairs are the only main available feature and they cost $300.

The range-topping Elite is the most luxurious Pilot available. It comes with ventilated front seats, perforated leather upholstery, heated second-row seats, a second-row fold-flat center seat, a four-inch head-up display, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Compare Pilot Trims Side-By-Side

Still A Family Vehicle. The Pilot has grown for 2023. The midsize SUV is 3.4 inches longer than before, while the wheelbase has also grown in size by 2.8 inches. The SUV’s track has also increased by 1.2 inches at the front and 1.5 inches at the back. The larger dimensions come from a new platform that sees rigidity increase for the Pilot.

Thanks to a larger body, a longer wheelbase, and a new platform, the Pilot offers more interior space than before. The third row is especially roomy with 32.5 inches of legroom. For consumers that aren’t interested in a minivan, but need an SUV that can seat up to eight, the new Pilot is a good option. It’s also a strong choice for shoppers that need to hold a large amount of cargo. Honda has improved the Pilot’s cargo capacity, as the SUV can hold up to 22.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats and a total of 112 cubic feet of cargo.

In addition to having more interior space, the Pilot also comes with redesigned seats. They’re far more comfortable than before and have more cushioning. The Touring and Elite trims come with a second-row middle seat that can be removed and stored under the floor in the cargo area. This nifty seat allows owners to have an eight-passenger SUV when they need it or a seven-passenger SUV with easier access to the third row when they don’t. Plus, being able to store the seat under the cargo area beats putting it away in the garage and forgetting about its existence.

Skip The Base Sport. Most 2023 Pilots come with two screens that include a nine-inch touchscreen and a seven-inch digital instrument cluster. The trims that come with the nine-inch touchscreen also come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nine audio speakers, a wireless charging pad, and satellite radio. This is a great roster of standard features that makes the 2023 Honda Pilot a more tech-friendly option than last year.

While most Pilot trims come well-equipped the base Sport doesn’t offer the same level of equipment. The base Sport trim’s $40,495 starting price tag is attractive, but its standard seven-inch touchscreen isn’t. The trim also has wired smartphone compatibility, seven audio speakers, fewer USB charging ports, and one less 12-volt power outlet.

In a segment where rivals are available with 12.3-inch displays, we’re surprised to see the largest display in the Pilot be a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, which is only available on the Elite trim. Still, we’re fans of how simple the Pilot’s infotainment system is to use.

Rugged Design Matches Performance. Honda continues to offer the Pilot with a standard V6 engine. The motor has been completely redesigned for the new generation. The Pilot continues to come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. All Pilots come with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Without any major horsepower or torque upgrades to the V6 engine, the Pilot’s performance doesn’t change much for 2023. The engine is smoother and throttle response is improved, while the gearbox provides polished shifts. One area where the new powertrain hasn’t improved is when it comes to fuel economy. The 2023 Pilot is rated at up to 22 mpg combined, while the outgoing model could get up to 23 mpg combined.

For 2023, the Pilot is available in a new TrailSport trim. As its name implies, the TrailSport is the rugged option in the lineup that’s meant to get dirty. The SUV has 8.3 inches of ground clearance (an extra inch compared to other trims), all-terrain tires, recovery hooks, heavy-duty skid plates, unique 18-inch wheels, a TrailWatch camera system, and an upgraded all-wheel-drive system. With its rugged features, the TrailSport is capable of tackling light trails.

Say Goodbye To Monotony. The previous Pilot suffered from a lackluster design that didn’t stand out in the segment. That’s not a problem the 2023 Pilot has, though it’s not as upscale or as eye-catching as some rivals. Honda’s designers have penned a conservative, but upscale design for the midsize SUV. The SUV’s larger size is accented by a square grille, a boxy silhouette, slim lights, and an upright liftgate.

The Pilot’s interior is a massive upgrade over the outgoing model and looks far more upscale than before. The dashboard and placement of the central display have a familial look to Honda’s other vehicles that were recently redesigned. Additionally, the simple elements come off as being upscale, while Honda continues to utilize physical controls for the HVAC system.

Final Thoughts. The Honda Pilot was a good midsize SUV, but it didn’t have the features, performance, or design to be competitive with segment leaders. The redesigned 2023 Pilot still trails behind in a few key areas, but it’s a far better SUV than before. Its larger body with a more spacious cabin, upgraded engine, improved tech features, and new TrailSport trim ensure that it continues to be cross-shopped against the best.

In contrast, the Kia Telluride continues to be our favorite midsize SUV. Its upscale design, high-end features, high-tech equipment, and rugged X models ensure that’s something for everyone.

Drivers seeking a more premium experience and more powerful engines will want to explore the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. It’s available with trims and features that rival some luxury SUVs, is available with a wide range of engines, and is highly capable off-road.

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