Configurations for 2023 Honda Pilot | Release Date | Review| Price

What’s New for 2023

The 2023 Honda Pilot marks the arrival of Generation Four for this popular 3-row midsize SUV. Unveiled in November 2022, the latest Pilot boasts significant improvements and upgrades. It is now bigger, more versatile, and more powerful than its predecessors. Notably, the TrailSport model stands out with enhanced off-road capabilities, making it an attractive option for adventurous drivers. Furthermore, parents will appreciate the soft and nimble steering, reminiscent of a minivan’s handling, which adds to the overall comfort of the driving experience. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine has been revamped, delivering 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain offers smooth and responsive performance. While the Pilot focuses on comfort, it manages to remain competitive with its performance figures, even compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride. In this article, we will delve into Configurations for 2023 Honda Pilot, Release Date, Review, Features.

We have provided a dedicated article that offers comprehensive information about Honda Accord Touring 2.0T, For further details we recommend referring to our article.

• Honda Accord Touring 2.0T: Specs, Images, Review.

Configurations for 2023 Honda Pilot:

2023 Honda Pilot Pricing: Price

The 2023 Honda Pilot starts at $36,300. The rugged TrailSport starts at $48,700, while the top-of-the-line Elite kicks off at $52,380. We expect the EX-L to be the top seller. We’d recommend against the Sport for most buyers, with the savings not worth the equipment tradeoff. If you’re not sure which Pilot is right for you, take a look at a breakdown of each trim.

2023 Honda Pilot	MSRP
Pilot LX	$36,300
Pilot Sport	$39,500
Pilot EX-L	$42,300
Pilot Touring	$46,800
Pilot TrailSport	$48,700
Pilot Elite	$52,380

Configurations for 2023 Honda Pilot: Specs| Features |Performance

How does the Pilot drive?

Driving the Pilot is a mixed bag. The V6 sounds snarly when you step on the gas, but actual acceleration is only average. At the Edmunds test track, our Pilot TrailSport test vehicle managed the 0-60 mph run in 7.8 seconds. The transmission is overly busy, especially around town. That can also make the Pilot feel overly eager and sensitive to gas pedal inputs when accelerating from a stop. Braking is smooth, but the pedal is soft and numb, and we found the Pilot’s emergency stopping distances to be longer than average.

For adventurous families, the Pilot TrailSport is one of the more capable three-row crossovers for light off-road duty thanks to its extra ground clearance. The all-wheel-drive system is another upside. In addition to the expected boost in traction for icy or snowy roads, it can also redistribute the V6’s power to make the Pilot considerably more nimble around turns. However, the steering is light and lacks feel, and it provides no real sense of what’s going on with the road.

How’s the interior?

The Pilot’s interior is roomy and practical for the first two rows, with lots of storage space and slightly above-average visibility for a vehicle of this class. The latest Pilot’s dashboard keeps buttons to a minimum, but we like how Honda managed to make the most commonly used controls accessible rather than burying them in a touchscreen menu, which can be the case on other SUVs.

Getting in and out is easy, with buttons to release the second-row seats that even children can activate. There’s enough seat travel that third-row access won’t be a squeeze for most adults. Front passengers are spoiled for space in the Pilot, and the second row is wide and accommodating with lots of legroom. Competitors like the Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas, however, have better third rows. Adults will start to feel cramped as the high floor and almost nonexistent toe room under the second-row seats will push their knees up.

How’s the storage?

Competitors like the Buick Enclave, Kia Telluride, and Hyundai Palisade offer more cargo space, but the Pilot has enough flexible cargo features and small-item storage to make it a helpful family hauler. The 50/50-split third-row seats are easy to release (which is good because there’s no power-folding third row available), and they open up a large, if not class-leading, space. Loading and unloading is easy with the floor in its highest position so bulky items can slide in and out.

How comfortable is the Pilot?

The front seats and optional second-row captain’s chairs are pleasantly soft without giving up support. The front seats lack the level of adjustability some competitors offer, so not everybody will get the most comfort out of them. The Pilot’s suspension smooths out most bumps with ease, but certain types of uneven pavement can still feel sharp and a bit loud in the cabin.

On the whole, wind, road, and engine noise are low, but the cabin isn’t quite as quiet as top-rated competitors like the Kia Telluride. The climate system is simple to adjust and powerful enough for the large cabin. All three rows get vents, but vent placement for the second and third rows isn’t optimal. Third-row vents, in particular, are placed by the armrests, so adults will get airflow to their hands.

How’s the tech?

The Pilot offers plenty of usable tech features, but on the whole, it’s a half-step behind the curve. The infotainment, with wireless phone connectivity, works quickly and is easy to navigate, but the 9-inch screen feels dwarfed by the large cabin. It’s unfortunate the new Accord’s 12.3-inch screen isn’t available here. There are plenty of places to charge, including a wireless charging pad. There’s only one USB-C port available, however. The rest are the less powerful USB-A type, which limits options for phones, tablets, and laptops that support fast charging.

Honda does equip the Pilot with plenty of standard driver assist features. Lane-keeping assistance keeps the car centered nicely even at very low speeds. But while the adaptive cruise control follows smoothly at freeway speeds, it’s less confidence-inspiring in heavier traffic. In our testing, we found it too slow to react to suddenly braking traffic, prompting the driver to intervene. It also requires prompting via a steering wheel button or accelerator pedal to restart after even the briefest stop, so it doesn’t save you much effort.

Conclusion

The 2023 Honda Pilot is a spacious and capable midsize SUV that caters to families with its three-row seating and practical features. While the new 10-speed automatic transmission improves performance, the increased weight may impact its agility. Nonetheless, the Pilot remains competitive in its class and offers various trim options to suit different needs and preferences.

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