Honda Pilot
2023 Honda Pilot in Avondale, AZ
- 4.19 (48 Reviews) - Edmunds.com
MSRP Starting at
$44,400
2023 Honda Pilot Review | Pilot Trailsport Edition
With the introduction of the 2023 Honda Pilot, the manufacturer is reclaiming its leadership of the 3-row SUV marketplace. It has maintained a top-3 placement as new rivals have surfaced, but the 2023 model year should see it move back to the top of the pile.
There’s a best-in-class feeling in almost every aspect. This includes incredible spaciousness, upscale materials, rugged new exterior, one-of-a-kind features, and improved driver aids. Sure to please shoppers, Honda has made it easy to enjoy a 7-seat layout while still retaining the 8th seat for when it’s needed.
Then there’s the introduction of the 2023 Honda Pilot Trailsport, a true adventure machine. You can get the details about trims, performance, specifications and more in this Honda Pilot review. Keep scrolling to find the information most important to your Phoenix AZ metro lifestyle.
Welcome to the Family Living Room
Class-leading passenger space is just the start of the interior changes that make the new model different from the 2022 Honda Pilot. There are more soft touchpoints, high quality materials, and essential dash technologies incorporated into an uncluttered contemporary design. Plus, packed with insulation and armed with noise-reduction technologies, the Pilot is a more refined, quieter place to spend time.
The driver’s cockpit has been enhanced with a digital tachometer as part of the 7-inch driver display. This is matched to a contemporary touch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for extra connectivity. Illuminated USB ports and a bin large enough for two phones side by side are helpful standards. Dual automatic climate controls balance the air conditioning output.
Recognizing the needs of today’s families, 8 of the 14 large cupholders are big enough to allow for 32-ounce water bottles. Second-row dual USB ports are standard, and additional third row ports are added on higher trims. The folded middle seat provides a wide center armrest with drink holders for the outboard second-row seats.
Storage nooks are ample, including a large center front console and a unique instrument-panel shelf.. Even the wireless charging pad is a large bin that can handle a bigger phone or just let you stash stuff when it isn’t needed.
Versatile Seating Every Day
The new Pilot is larger for people and gear, and that’s good news for any family on the go. This is the first year for Honda’s fatigue-reducing front-row chairs. Standard on the Sport, these Body Stabilizing seats will make life nicer on long trips.
Sliding second row seats make it possible to alter arrangements according to who is sitting there. This flexibility accommodates car seats better and provides more space for taller riders.
Second row seats have gained another 2.4 inches of legroom. These chairs recline up to 10 degrees. Likewise, there’s more space for a teen or adult to sit comfortably on the third row.
Since the new second row seats can tilt further than they could in the previous layout, there’s more room for entry and exit to the third row. On the Touring and Elite models, removing the center-middle seat leaves a passage for entry and allows more third-row space.
This class-exclusive lightweight and stowable second-row middle seat will be a favorite for those who don’t like having to forgo the 8th seat in order to get a 7-seat layout. When not needed, the extra seat can be stowed away under the floor in the cargo hold. Lightweight, it is easy to move, install, and remove.
Class-Leading Cargo Space
As for cargo space, that has grown to 22.4 cubic feet. That’s about as good as it gets in the three-row SUV class. It can expand to 113.7 cubes when all rear seats are folded.
The cargo hold has a large compartment with a removable cover. You can use it for more space or for a hideaway. It is big enough on the Touring and Elite trim levels that you can stow the middle seat and still have room for more gear in the compartment.
Trim Levels
Stepping up from the Sport, the EX-L and Touring models provide affordable elegance. Cabins come with leather upholstery and the larger high-definition touchscreen. Drivers will appreciate special finger rest to help steady their hand while using the screen. Both front positions can utilize the Qi-compatible charger.
This new touchscreen has a faster processor and that means no lag time for the busy driver. In addition to hands free voice controls, you can simply swipe or touch your way to the menus or actions you want. Wireless Apple and Android connectivity are part of the system.
Trailsport interiors wear distinctive orange stitching and logos. The most exciting feature is the sliding panoramic roof, which many are calling best in class. Practical interior additions include special floor mats to protect the carpet from dirty shoes after outdoor adventures.
Honda Pilot Touring models add a special 12-speaker Bose audio system. This unique system is able to communicate the music evenly to each seating position due to its Bose Centerpoint technology and unique SurroundStage digital processor.
Elite models are even more luxurious, starting with the quilted leather seating. Drivers enjoy a large 10.2-inch digital instrument panel. This model adds a color head-up display and a multi-view parking camera.
More Power for the Family Driver
This is the most powerful Honda SUV ever. Indeed it has more muscles than previous years. A refined V6 now offers 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Still, it’s the new transmission that’s really changing the game.
The 2022 Pilot had a 9-speed automatic, but this model year it’s a 10 speed automatic transmission for this large SUV. This improves its dash from 0-to-60 mph, which was already quick for this big rig. Drivers will appreciate the confidence as they deal with competitive traffic situations. This system has a new Sport mode and a new Tow mode.
On the highway, fuel economy is better thanks to variable cylinder management. This reduces how much fuel is needed when the Pilot has achieved a highway cruising speed. In the city, fuel economy is better due to the idle-stop system. This reduces waste at long redlights.
Front-wheel drive is standard on the Sport, EX-L and Touring. All-wheel drive is standard for the Elite and available for the EX-L and Touring. This adds a revised Sand mode and an all-new Trail mode.
2023 Honda Trailsport
The 2023 Honda TrailSport is a true off-roader, and it all starts with its updated all-wheel drive system. When necessary, this system can send 100 percent of its torque to the left or right wheel to achieve traction. Unique to Honda, i-VTM4 torque vectoring moves torque to certain wheels for speed while utilizing brake vectoring to reduce wheelspin on other wheels.
Even a wheel in the air can get torque if needed, thanks to Trail Torque Logic. This capability means the wheel is more likely to move the load as it reconnects with the ground. A stronger rear differential is key to allow it to be more responsive.
Honda engineers have finely tuned the suspension to handle adventure driving. A trim-specific stabilizer bar and suspension springs This trim level has a 1-inch suspension lift to allow for more ground clearance if it goes off road. Steel skid plates try to protect the front, rear and fuel tank. This means the engine is protected from too much jarring.
You’ll recognize the trim by its TrailSport logo molded into the unique wheels. All-terrain tires speak to where this SUV is meant to go. TrailWatch cameras assist the driver during slow maneuvers under 15 miles per hour. It provides front and side views, helping the driver identify obstacles such as bushes, rocks, or brush.
If you want to be notified about the next Honda Pilot sale and incentives, please contact our staff. However, we would like to note that Earnhardt No Bull Prices are always a good deal.
Honda Sensing Sees More, Does More
This year’s driver assistance can do more because it can see or sense more. The front camera system has a much wider view. Likewise the front radar has a wider arc it can monitor. Together this allows the adaptive cruise control to enjoy stop-and-go capability as well as lane keeping assistance. That makes it much more like semi-automated driving.
Furthermore even when you aren’t using ACC, the Pilot is assisting the driver. Wider views means it sees more possible dangers ahead and can assess them better. It warns the driver and may trigger the autobrake if necessary. A blind spot monitor, road departure mitigation and lane keeping all help the driver stay out of harm’s way.
Honda Pilot vs Passport and Other Rivals
The 2023 Honda Pilot is bigger than the adventurous Honda Passport, but essentially the first two rows are equally roomy. Passports don’t have a third row and can’t compete with the Pilot’s ability to handle the needs of large families.
In the past, the Passport could claim a more adventurous attitude. However, the new Pilot Trailsport is certainly competing more directly with its sibling when it comes to fun.
From its exterior design to its features list, the Pilot has definitely addressed every aspect that matters. It can easily match or exceed any challenge posed by rivals such as the Kia Telluride. New Pilots can keep everyone happy: parents, teens, kids, and, quite significantly, the family driver.
Pilot buyers have enough choices to find the right deal, whether it’s the most affordable or simply the best value in a luxury-like upscale ride. Furthermore, future owners can expect a good ownership experience with reasonable operating costs.
Safety Features and Crash Avoidance Aids
With the ACE inner structure, the Pilot is made to withstand impact better. Federal rating for the 2022 Pilot is 5 stars. New features include next-generation airbags as well as more airbags at more points in the cabin.
Driver assistance has been expanded by a better forward-view camera and improved forward-radar system. This makes the forward collision warning and pedestrian watch better than ever. An emergency auto brake can respond to shave time off a needed stop. Speaking of which, the Pilot’s basic braking mechanisms were improved for faster stopping times.
Other driver aids watch the sides of the vehicle. These include the Honda-original road departure system as well as lane keeping and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control is better than ever with traffic jam assist and the ability to slow-and-go in slow traffic.
With so many standards and technologies, the Pilot is definitely the most competitive 3-row SUV in its class. Check it out in our inventory and be in touch with your questions. Our online staff is always available, and our dealership is open seven days a week.
Features
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Bluetooth®
- Remote Start
- 3rd Rear Seat
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
More Details
Features
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Bluetooth®
- 3rd Rear Seat
- 4WD/AWD
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
More Details
Dealer Comments
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