2023 Honda Pilot

The Pilot squares up with a patterned grille and slim, wedgy LED headlights set on C-shaped air intake pedestals. The grille’s in proportion with the related MDX, but veers into its own country down the sides, where an upkick in its rear roof pillars reminds us of the old Honda Passport/Isuzu Rodeo duo. 

Inside, the 2023 Pilot adopts a very clean dash capped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen on base models, upgraded to a 9.0-inch touchscreen on all other versions. Simple knobs and buttons reign over the dash, including the gear selector in the console. The dash sits higher than its predecessor, and the larger touchscreen isn’t as integrated, but those small concessions lead to huge gains in packaging and space. A new steering wheel design with buttons and dials finishes the approach to interior simplicity.

It’s front-wheel drive, but can be upgraded to all-wheel drive that can shuttle up to 70% of the torque to the rear axle. Torque vectoring then directs up to 100% of that rear torque to the rear wheel with the most grip. The adaptable system and upgraded rear differential work well to keep all four tires on the pavement, as well as handle moderate off-road duty for TrailSport models. Standard hill descent on grades of at least 7 degrees controls speeds between 2-12 mph so the driver can focus on what’s ahead. In an afternoon of testing the TrailSport on slick rock and rutted trails, it exceeded expectations. It won’t be mistaken for a Jeep Wrangler, but Honda has made it capable enough on trails designated easy and moderate, which account for 52% of trails on public lands. 

Honda charges $2,100 for all-wheel drive, but it’s standard on TrailSport and Elite models. 

How fast is the Honda Pilot?

Despite the slight boost in power, the new V-6 still churns out 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s no sport model, but with five drive modes (seven on TrailSport and Elite) accessible via a toggle on the console there’s plenty of variance to suit most driver’s needs, and it never dawdles on passing moves. 

That’s mostly due to the excellent 10-speed automatic transmission. It flicks through the lowest gears nearly imperceptibly to access more power and, while cruising, it can downshift four gears at once for a hard passing move. Paddle shifters come standard, but there’s hardly a need for them with Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, and Sport modes adjusting throttle response, shift timing, and even steering feel. It helps to keep the engine and cabin quiet. In Sport mode it can be a little jumpy on downshifts, but otherwise it’s far smoother than competitors’ 9- and 10-speeds that can dance uncertainly. 

Sport mode also amplifies the engine note from the speakers, which is a nice touch. The light steering feel is countered by responsiveness, giving the Pilot more of a connection with the road than a minivan. Tow mode helps to maintain the Pilot’s towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. 

Even with 18-inch all-terrain tires or on 20-inch wheels, the Pilot rides in quiet and comfort. Wind and road noise infiltrates at highway speeds, but it doesn’t disrupt the cabin’s sense of calm.  

Trail mode is not just a gimmick on the top grades. On an incline, a light touch of the throttle provides enough torque for the Pilot to crawl over uneven terrain without rocking backward or lurching forward. The 18-inch all-terrain tires on the TrailSport help, too, and recovery points built into the standard hitch and the front skid plate provide some reassurance, as does the surround-view camera system that can put eyes on what you can’t see.

A tray above the glovebox deep enough for sunglasses or a smartphone, as well as a wireless charge pad or storage shelf big enough for at least two phones at the bottom of the stack reflect how well Honda has optimized the space in the new Pilot. Modular door pockets and 14 large cupholders fit everything from Hydroflasks to laptops.

A second-row bench with a 40/20/40 split comes standard on LX, Sport, and EX-L grades, but captain’s chairs can be swapped out on EX-L and come standard on TrailSport, Touring, and Elite to seat seven passengers. With the middle seat folded, it turns into an armrest with two cupholders. 

On the top two trims, Honda offers a removable middle seat weighing about 25 pounds that can be stowed in the rear cargo floor instead or left behind in the garage. It takes less than a minute to remove it and stow it. No matter the configuration, second-row riders benefit from an additional 2.4 inches of legroom over its predecessor, to 40.8 inches total. Even though the second row sits on a shelf about two inches higher, headroom is not compromised even with the panoramic sunroof. 

Push-button seats make it simple for anyone to access the third row, and with the sliding and reclining captain’s chairs, two adults under 6 feet tall can fit in the wayback. The raised floor makes for some awkward feet positions, but it’s reasonably roomy for hips, shoulders, and heads.  

Honda improved the cargo area behind row three as well, with up to 22.4 cubic feet of storage. A storage well below the floor in most models has partitions to organize items. Pull the strap on the seat backs to collapse the headrests and expand the cargo area to up to 60.1 cubic feet behind row two, or lay down both rows for more than 112 cubic feet, which is nearly a minivan feat. 

EX-L grades and above get leather upholstery, and top trims add cross-stitching and other flourishes, but the Pilot is more about practicality than pampering.

The standard driver-assist features on the new Pilot aim to avoid crashes altogether, and Honda Sensing is one of the most complete and robust standard systems on the market. It includes adaptive cruise control down to a stop, active lane control, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. The base LX is the only one without blind-spot monitors, and parking sensors front and rear come on all but the LX and Sport models.

Which Honda Pilot should I buy?

Skip the LX for at least the $40,495 Sport model for its heated front seats with power adjustments and tri-zone climate control, but most Pilot shoppers choose the EX-L. For $43,295, or $43,595 with second row captain’s chairs, the EX-L comes with leather upholstery, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone compatibility and charging, a 9-speaker audio system, and a power tailgate. 

How much is a fully loaded 2023 Honda Pilot?

The $49,695 TrailSport tempts with its off-road upgrades and standard panoramic sunroof, and its $200 less than an AWD Touring, but the Elite crests the lineup. For $53,375, the Honda Pilot Elite builds off the Touring’s removable middle seat, 12-speaker Bose audio, navigation, 20-inch wheels, and wifi hotspot by adding cooled front seats, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. 

An HPD package adds some flair such as fender flares, bronze wheels, and special graphics for $2,950 on all Pilot trims.

Front-wheel-drive models rate at 19/27/22 mpg. That’s on par with the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, by trails most other three-row SUVs, especially hybrid versions of the Ford Explorer and the class-leading Toyota Sienna with its 35-mpg combined rating with AWD.