2023 Honda Pilot Racks Up Space, Safety, Off-Road Chops for TrailSport

Competes with: Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander

Looks like: The current Pilot crossed with the Honda Passport

Drivetrains: 285-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6; 10-speed automatic transmission; front- or all-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: December 2022

The 2023 Honda Pilot’s redesign comes just in the nick of time. The family hauler landed dead last in our 2020 3-Row SUV Challenge, falling behind its competition in most categories despite some redeeming qualities like front seat comfort, ample in-cabin storage and respectable gas mileage. The Pilot’s arch rivals — the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander — all came out ahead and now see upgrades for 2023.

Related: Honda’s TrailSport Treatment Aims to Take Family SUVs Off-Road

Now, the underdog aims to catch up to or surpass the competition with its own set of improvements that address some of the chief complaints in our challenge. In addition to a larger interior, expanded safety features and noise-reduction efforts, the SUV adds more off-road capability to its adventure-oriented TrailSport model. The 2023 Pilot will offer five trim levels, and while we know its specs and features, one key piece of information is still under wraps — pricing.

Exterior Growth Spurt

The fourth-generation Pilot takes on a larger footprint than the outgoing model, adding nearly 3 inches to both its length and wheelbase. Although the TrailSport will be the model’s most off-road-capable trim, it’s not the only one that gets some adventure-oriented styling elements. All trims see a new front end that borrows cues from the two-row Passport, with a larger, more upright grille, longer hood and more aggressive flared fenders.

In addition to its TrailSport guise (described below), a variety of model-specific exterior trims, finishes and wheel designs are available. The base Sport gets a gloss-black grille and trim and rides on gray 20-inch wheels, while the EX-L features chrome trim, foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels. Higher trims come with a gloss-black mesh grille, dual chrome exhaust and unique 20-inch machine-finished alloy wheels. If none of the above options sound sporty enough, a new Honda Performance Development appearance package allows shoppers to swap in bronze aluminum wheels, fender flares and HPD decals (HPD is Honda’s racing division).

Interior Stretches Out, Gains Flexibility

Inside, the Pilot ups its game in space, comfort and versatility. The SUV’s new dimensions allow for expanded second- and third-row legroom, plus more room for gear, according to Honda. Second-row passengers get 2.4 inches of added legroom, while those in the third row get a little more than a half-inch extra. Cargo space grows by 4.7 cubic feet behind the first row of seats and nearly 4 cubic feet behind the third row, based on the automaker’s measurements (these are distinct from Cars.com independent cargo testing).

In-cabin storage was a highlight of the outgoing SUV and remains user-friendly for 2023 with a large console bin spacious enough to fit a tablet and a new passenger instrument-panel shelf. The SUV’s flexible seating configuration borrows from the other class of family haulers — minivans. Like the previous model, the new Pilot will accommodate seven or eight passengers, but a new feature allows the second-row middle seat to be removed or stowed under the rear cargo floor.

On- and Off-Road Capability

The Pilot’s upgraded 3.5-liter V-6 engine now makes 285 hp, up from 280 in the outgoing model; torque output remains the same at 262 pounds-feet. The V-6 is paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous model’s nine-speed automatic. Although Honda has not revealed updated fuel-economy numbers, the automaker says shoppers can expect efficiency improvements thanks to the engine’s variable cylinder management. Currently, the Pilot gets an EPA-rated 20/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 22 mpg combined with available AWD. The current TrailSport brings up the rear in fuel economy with 21 mpg combined. Like the outgoing Pilot, the new model will be able to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Honda notes that shoppers will notice an improvement in the Pilot’s performance on and off pavement: The SUV’s new chassis and stiffer body structure culminate in a sportier driving experience, while its longer wheelbase and wider tracks bring a smoother, more stable ride. Steering and handling are improved with a new variable steering ratio and stiffer steering column and torsion bar. The brakes were also attended to, with larger front rotors and calipers plus improved heat resistance; these tweaks will make it easier to bring the mid-size SUV to a halt even in inclement driving conditions, says Honda.

When it comes to off-road jaunts, the Pilot’s advanced torque-vectoring AWD system is optimized with a stronger rear differential for improved traction off-pavement and in slippery on-road conditions. The system comes standard on the TrailSport and Elite trims, offering five standard driver-selectable modes: Normal, Econ, Snow, Sport and Tow; two additional modes, Sand and Trail, are offered on select models. Another off-road-oriented feature for the Pilot is hill descent control, a low-speed cruise control system with a driver-selectable speed range up to 12 mph for navigating steep declines.

TrailSport: No Longer Just for Show

The TrailSport is currently offered for the 2022 Pilot, and while it boasts a slightly higher ground clearance than other trims, its other distinctions are largely aesthetic. That changes for 2023: The new TrailSport gets a unique off-road-tuned suspension, an inch of extra ground clearance compared to other models, and increased approach, departure and break-over angles. Standard underbody skid plates and 18-inch wheels are specifically designed to protect the SUV from common trail hazards, and all-terrain tires improve capability on a variety of rough terrains. Typically all-terrain tires add off-road capability at the expense of on-road ride quality. However, Honda says the TrailSport’s tires do not compromise the driving experience on pavement.

When in Trail mode, the TrailSport’s Trail Torque Logic system strategically distributes torque based on available traction and controls the front brakes individually to minimize wheelspin. It also adjusts the amount of power going to the rear axle, which is a handy feature when driving on a ditch-filled trail where it’s common for one tire to lose contact with the ground. For an extra boost of confidence, a TrailWatch camera system activates when Trail mode is engaged; the system works at speeds under 15 mph and uses a series of four exterior cameras to help drivers navigate obstacles like ruts and steep inclines.

More Sensible Safety, Tech

The 2022 Pilot missed out on an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety award after failing to secure good ratings in some crash-test categories, including the updated side-impact crash test. Honda says the new Pilot’s architecture is designed to better protect occupants and should improve the SUV’s performance in future safety evaluations.

The Honda Sensing driver-assist suite has been enhanced with an expanded camera and radar view, updates to its blind spot monitoring system, and newly standard Traffic Jam Assist, low-speed braking control and traffic sign recognition. Additionally, the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems have been improved for a more natural response, Honda claims. To help protect the safety of occupants in the second and third rows, rear seat belt and rear-seat reminders are new for 2023.

The Pilot also sees notable gains on the tech and connectivity front — at least for most trims. All models except the base Sport get a larger 9-inch touchscreen, up from the outgoing Pilot’s standard 8-inch unit, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a faster processor. Interestingly, the base model’s touchscreen shrinks from 8 to 7 inches and still offers only wired CarPlay and Android Auto; Honda says the system benefits from a simplified menu structure and physical knobs for volume and tuning, however.

EX-L and higher trims offer standard wireless charging and add two USB-A charging ports in the third row, in addition to the standard USB-A and USB-C ports in the front row and a duo of USB-A ports in the second row. A lack of USB ports — especially in the third row — was a noted vexation of the outgoing Pilot in our 2020 challenge.

Trims and Release Date

The Pilot sees a trimmed-down list for 2023. Shoppers will be able to choose from Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring and Elite trims, while the Special Edition and Black Edition are no longer offered. All trims get standard features like heated front seats and the Honda Sensing safety suite. The Touring and range-topping Elite trims add an opening panoramic moonroof, heated steering wheel and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system. EX-L and higher trims get leather upholstery, and the Elite comes with upgraded perforated leather and ventilated front seats.

The TrailSport is offered in a newly available Diffused Sky Blue paint color. Inside, it gets a sliding panoramic moonroof, orange contrast stitching, all-season floormats and a TrailSport logo on the head restraints.

Pricing for the 2023 Pilot is expected to be announced closer to the SUV’s on-sale date, and it’s likely to land higher than many competitors. Currently, the 2022 Pilot starts at $39,375 (including destination charge) for the base Sport and $46,105 for the TrailSport. The next highest starting price belongs to the 2023 Ford Explorer at $38,255. Among the Pilot’s recently updated rivals, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride start at $36,545 and $37,025, respectively, while the 2023 Toyota Highlander’s price of admission is $37,755.

More From Cars.com:

• Honda’s TrailSport Treatment Aims to Take Family SUVs Off-Road
• Honda Pilot: Which Should You Buy, 2021 or 2022?
• What’s New for Honda in 2022?
• 2022 Honda Passport Gets a New Face and the First TrailSport Badge
• Research the Honda Pilot

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