The Honda Pilot debuted 21 years ago as the Japanese carmaker’s largest sport utility vehicle. It succeeded quickly as an alternative to its seven-year older and smaller sibling, the Honda CR-V.
The Honda HR-V, the smallest of an SUV foursome, arrived in North America in 2015. The Honda Passport, positioned between the HR-V and the Pilot, debuted in 1993.
Without exceptions, the vehicles provide customers Honda at its best: value, dependability and strong resale marks. But other manufacturers have infiltrated the marketplace which makes the 2023 Honda Pilot not quite the front-runner it once was. Kia, Hyundai and Mazda, among other manufacturers, offer formidable competition.
Still, the Honda Pilot, newly designed for 2023, is far from a slacker. It’s a solid choice for many reasons.
A five-door crossover with three rows of seating, the Pilot shares a platform with the Acura MDX, as well as its stablemate, the Odyssey minivan. The Pilot has a unibody construction and independent suspension and it’s a mixed breed. It drives similarly to a car but also has the strength for towing and light off-road use.
To further expand its off-road capabilities, the TrailSport joins the previous four trim levels — Sport, EX-L, Touring and Elite. With competitors looming, Honda changed the Pilot in several areas. It has a revised V6 engine and a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2023 model is longer, wider and stiffer than previous offerings and all-wheel drive is available in all trims.
All trims are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional — except on the TrailSport and Elite trims on which all-wheel drive is standard.
Despite its overall quality, the Pilot has disappointing fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates range from 20 miles per gallon combined in the off-road-focused TrailSport to 22 mpg combined in the front-wheel drive Sport, EX-L and Touring trims. Some competitors fare better.
Honda’s reputation throughout its lineup is strong and without blemish. But the manufacturer has remained steadfast with its bumper-to-bumper warranty of 3 years and 36,000 miles. One long-standing attraction of South Korean manufacturers is a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
With its TrailSport moniker, Honda has done a lot for the vehicle’s third-generation debut. It’s the first time the carmaker has offered all-terrain tires as standard. The vehicle is equipped with Continental TerrainContact A/T tires sized 265/60R18 and 18-inch TrailSport wheels with inset spokes to protect from most trail and curb rash.
Further emphasizing its off-road learnings, the 2023 Pilot TrailSport includes Hill Descent Control. It helps maintain a low speed while traveling downhill without needing to brake. The system holds between 2 and 12 mph and works on seven percent or greater grades.
Like its still-boxy exterior, the Honda Pilot interior is satisfactory but far from innovative. It offers comfort and roominess for front-seat occupants and the optional second-row captain’s chairs are equally pleasant. Like some competitors, the third-row seats are usable and that’s it. All rows have ventilated seats. While not particularly large, the 50/50-split third-row seats are easy to maneuver.
The Pilot also offers a satisfactory ride, albeit not quiet or always smooth. Larger road imperfections bring strong jolts even at slow speeds, and the overall cabin noise level doesn’t fare well against the noise-reduction efforts among other manufacturers.
Technology features are standard fare, with a subpar rating for the nine-inch infotainment screen. It’s too small for the SUV’s large present. The Honda Accord has a 12.3-inch screen.
Charging options, including a wireless charging pad, are prevalent, a combination of one USB-C and several USB-A ports. Lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise are among the industry standard offerings.
The reviewed Honda Pilot TrailSport costs $50,500. It’s a solid vehicle that will likely maintain the carmaker’s strong reputation. But several competitors are better choices.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive journalist in Sacramento, is the founder and senior editor of theweeklydriver.com. It offers a free weekly newsletter and podcast. Email: [email protected]
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