Honda Pilot
Picture Your Family in the New Honda Pilot
When you are thinking about a big SUV, you should be thinking about the 2023 Honda Pilot. Although called a midsize SUV, this big family ride has more than 150 cubic feet of passenger volume. That’s a lot of wiggle room for kids, even if they are in a third row seat.
In 2023, the Honda Pilot earned the Car and Driver’s Editors’ Choice award in its Mid-size SUV class. This is the fourth generation of the popular 3-row SUV, and it has once again proven itself against rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride.
Get to Know the 2023 Honda Pilot Trim Levels
The automaker has packed all of its best technology into the Sport edition of the Honda Pilot for sale. That’s right! You don’t have to pay more to get the latest dash tech. This includes a customizable touch screen with HD Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Likewise, Honda Sensing® technologies are on board to help the driver stay out of harm’s way.
With the step up to the EX-L, the seats are covered in leather. The driver’s power chair gets a memory feature, and the passenger chair becomes power adjustable.
The TrailSport model adds satellite-linked navigation to take this SUV off the beaten track. It has plenty of adventure equipment including skid plates, an all wheel drive system, and higher ground clearance. The Touring adds the Honda rear entertainment center as well as many other amenities.
Likewise, the Elite kicks it up another notch, pushing the Pilot into luxury territory at a better price. Our favorite feature is the ventilated seats to help the driver and front seat passenger keep cool.
If you aren’t finding your price match in those models, ask to see a used Honda Pilot. Earnhardt Honda endeavors to maintain a good inventory of used and certified pre-owned Pilot SUVs. Rest assured, a used Honda Pilot is always a good deal with their high-tech cabins, excellent safety features, and noted durability.
Is The Honda Pilot Based On A Car Or Truck Frame?
The Honda Pilot has a unit body construction. This construction method combines the vehicle body and the frame to create a strong structure. This allows it to support the vehicle’s weight above and below. Honda chooses the unibody construction because it allows for more flexibility in using lightweight materials, achieving a lower weight for this big rig.
This also figures into the SUV’s safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. It also helps ensure better ride quality for the SUV’s passengers. This type of frame wasn’t really possible without the computer-aided design which now dominates the car industry.
How Many Seats Does a Honda Pilot Have?
Honda Pilots have a standard 8 seats with the choice of 7 positions with center-row Captain’s chairs. Sport, Touring and Elite models are 8-person models. Touring and Elite allow you to remove the center-row, center seat and stow it neatly in the cargo hold. Trailsport models have 7 seats. EX-L models are offered in the 8-seat or optional 7-seat configuration.
Starting with the Pilot Sport, every one of these Honda SUVs have a power-adjustable driver’s chair and a power-adjustable passenger seat. The third row bench can fold flat completely or be split 60/40 to preserve seating. The second-row bench or Captain’s chairs fold flat for more cargo area.
Are Honda Pilots Reliable?
If taken care of, the Honda Pilot has a long lifespan, staying on the road up to 200,000 miles. Out of 32 auto manufacturers, Honda was named number one. It scored a 4 out of 5 in RepairPal research, showing a lower annual cost for repairs. Of course, a vehicle lifespan may be shortened by how the owner drives the vehicle and by how well it is maintained.
To ensure the best outcome for any Honda, the manufacturer provides owners with a maintenance schedule. The more it is followed, the better chance that any vehicle will last longer. If the Pilot indicates an engine problem, it should be addressed quickly to avoid further damage
While no SUV is perfect, a used Pilot is often a good buy with many long years ahead for the lucky owners.
How Much Can the Honda Pilot Tow?
The fourth-generation Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds with its powerful V-6 engine. This assumes it has all-wheel drive and the appropriate equipment, such as an integrated Class III Trailer Hitch. Front-wheel drive models can tow up to 3,500 pounds. A tow mode helps drivers manage the extra weight of a tandem trailer.
With the ability to pull up to a 5,000-pound load, the Pilot can handle boats and campers. This helps families take along their adventure toys for weekend getaways and longer vacations.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a test drive.