The Honda Pilot enters its fourth generation for 2023, and it adds more power, more space and more amenities. Here’s a quick look at the five things you need to know about this new Pilot.
New engine
Though the 2023 Honda Pilot still gets a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, Honda says this engine is all-new. It produces 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, which is 5 horsepower more than the 2022 model got but the same torque.
Magic middle seat
Taking a cue from the Honda Odyssey and the Acura MDX, the 2023 Honda Pilot gets a magic middle seat that can be removed for flexible seating. This means the three-row SUV offers up to eight seats when needed, but can offer middle-row captain’s chairs when not needed.
The best thing about this removable seat, however, is the fact it can be stored underneath the rear cargo floor rather than leaving it at home in your garage.
This combined with the fact the new Pilot is 3.4 inches longer adds more passenger and cargo capacity.
Tech stuff
Though the 2023 Honda Pilot comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment screen, it does have wired-in Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. One level off of base, you get the 9-inch infotainment screen and wireless CarPlay/Auto and wireless charging.
A USB-A and USB-C charge port are standard up front, and USB-A charge ports are available in the second and third rows.
Touring and Elite trims will also get a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system with Centerpoint technology.
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Standard safety
Because Honda takes safety seriously, all of its HondaSensing technology is standard on every trim of the 2023 Honda Pilot. This includes features such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, traffic sign reader and a driver attention monitor.
New for 2023, the Pilot gets a new back-up camera with a wider 90-degree field of view and a wider angle radar with a 120-degree field of view. Blind spot monitoring has also received an upgrade with an 82-foot radar range.
TrailSport model
Also new for 2023, the Pilot adds a TrailSport trim. This trim adds exclusive features such as a new trail torque logic off-road system, a TrailWatch camera, Diffused Sky Blue paint, orange contrast stitching, standard all-season floor mats and all-terrain tires.
In addition to the TrailSport badging and orange accents, this gets functional changes as well. This includes an off-road tuned suspension, a 1-inch lift, unique stabilizer bars and skid plates.
The TrailSport sits in the middle of the 2023 Honda Pilot lineup, preceded by the Sport and EX-L, then followed by the Touring and Elite.
The bottom line on the 2023 Honda Pilot
The Pilot is a solid vehicle, and with some tech upgrades and a cool new off-road trim, we’re looking forward to seeing it in real life.
Though pricing hasn’t yet been announced for the 2023 Honda Pilot yet, but it’s going on sale next month, so we expect the pricing to be revealed imminently. For reference, the base price for a 2022 Pilot is $39,375 including destination, and while we expect a bump, we don’t expect a big bump.
For more details and some basic specs, check out the press release.
