2023 Honda Pilot

The LX and the EX trims were discontinued last year. The three-row midsize SUV will be continuing with the 3 trims left (except SE and the Black Edition models). It will start from the base EX-L, then to the Touring and the most premium trim the Elite. All the models are trained with the same 3.5L V6 engine that pairs with the 9-speed automatic transmission. The EX-L and the Touring model propose an FWD powertrain as standard, meanwhile, the Elite trim has a standard AWD system.

We Recommend

CARHP recommends the Touring variant of the new Honda Pilot. It delivers more features than the standard EX-L variant. Though it does not come with a standard AWD system, you can upgrade it. 20-inch alloys, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and the rear seat entertainment system are the reasons to look after it. Parking sensors are helpful to escape or park the vehicle in tight parking situations. Heated front seats endure a comfortable ride experience in cold weather conditions.

Release Date

Honda is expected to launch this new generation in late 2022.

The powerful and fuel-efficient V6 engine is quite good at managing gentle mileage figures. With the engine, the SUV provides the mileage of – 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highways, and 23 mpg combined which are better than most of its key rivals in the segment. With the help of 19.5 gallons of fuel capacity, it achieves the range of – 390 miles while running in the city, 526.5 miles on the highway, and 448.5 miles combined. 

The latest Honda Pilot is the most fuel-efficient car in the segment. It delivers an extra mpg on the highways than the 2023 Telluride. The Bronco has the highest fuel capacity. As combined, the Pilot and the Telluride both offer the same mileage. The newest Palisade has the dullest range figures in the segment, it also does not provide competitive mileage numbers.

The interior of the Pilot is spacious and feels made of plush materials. Most of the trim levels offer 3-row seat formats, however, the second-row seats can also be upgraded to a captain seat format. The third row is not that roomy, but occasionally it can accommodate small-size adults or kids. Also, access to the third row is not convenient. The dashboard of the vehicle features easily accessible and quickly understandable ports and buttons. Whopping 16 cupholders inside the cabin is handy for all the passengers riding in the car. Soft touch ejection plastic materials on the door trim feel premium. Standard height adjustable seats in the front row provide commanding visibility of the road.

Nice high-quality leather and stitching on the steering wheel provide a good grip on the driver’s hand. The ride of the Pilot is comfortable if you are either driving it around your town or roaring it on the highways. Positioning itself among the roomiest SUVs in the segment, the Pilot does offer a generous amount of cargo space but it lacks when compared to some of its competitors. The second-row center console area on the Touring and the Elite occupies space and hence results in lesser space to carry cargo. A standard-size sunroof is large enough to let in an adequate amount of sunlight. Meanwhile, by paying a little more, we can have the experience of a panoramic sunroof. The glove box offers a decent amount of storage space.

The newest Bronco is the only car that is offering 5 seat format, while the remaining SUVs are 8-seater. The Telluride offers the best headroom in the front and second rows. In the third row, the Pilot offers more room than any other car in the comparison. The 2023 Palisade offers the best space for the legs in front and the second row. Behind the first row and third row, the Telluride has offered the highest amount of cargo space. Behind the second row, the Pilot has the highest cargo carrying space.

Highlights of the interior features include–

• Electronic power steering 
• Rearview camera
• Three-zone climate control
• Rear ventilation ducts
• Available rear-seat entertainment touchscreen on the Touring
• Ambient interior lighting
• Dual illuminating vanity mirror
• Air filtration
• Front cup holder
• Rear cupholder
• Storage space behind the first row seats
• Ample amount of storage in the door panel
• Overhead console with storage compartment

How intuitive is the 2023 Honda Pilot Infotainment System?

The infotainment touchscreen on the Pilot is easy to operate and it has a good touch response rate. The screen offers a sufficient amount of brightness to operate in a high-light environment. The Touring and the Elite models propose Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity. Honda’s CabinControl app allows users to connect to in-car Wi-Fi to control functions such as temperature and audio playlist. Four USB ports are helpful to charge the phone in front as well as rear row. Seven-speaker audio system delivers soothing sound, but 10-speaker premium audio enriches the whole experience.

Highlights of the infotainment system–Speed-sensitive volume control

• Satellite Radio
• Rear seat entertainment
• External temperature display
• FM radio
• Honda’s cabin control
• Collision mitigation braking system

The exterior of the new Pilot seems like a lifted minivan. LED lights all around along the chrome panel in the front grille with the Honda’s logo on it look muscular. Other than that, you get two 45-millimeter tires wrapped on 18-inch wheels and over in the rear as well. The finishing and design on the tires look pretty cool. The plastic molding over the wheels goes all around the bottom portion and kind of works like an added layer of protection. The two-toned mirrors get white on the top and black plastic on the bottom. Chrome finishing around the windows makes it a little premium-looking car.

The side profile and the front portion kind of give it a rugged look and makes it a more off-road-oriented car. The back end of the Honda Pilot is not that exciting, it carries the same basic look. We do have LED taillights which are great, and a Honda badge embossed in the chrome panel. underneath the logo, there is a button to access the power liftgate and cargo area.

Despite carrying only 5 passenger seating capacity, the new Bronco has the longest wheelbase among its rivals. The Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade have a wheelbase of the same length. Along with the lowest ground clearance, the Pilot carries the shortest wheelbase. The newest Bronco has the highest curb weight, but it is the shortest car in the comparison. The Palisade and the Pilot have almost the same amount of weight.

Highlights of the Exterior Features of the Pilot include—

• LED headlights with daytime running lights
• LED foglights
• Front parking sensors
• 7 exterior color options on the usual trims
• 8 different exterior color options on the premium trim roof rails
•  Panoramic Sunroof
• One touch open and close tailgate
• Black alloys on the Black edition model
• Rear parking sensors
• Dual tone outside mirrors
• Chrome panel across the window trim

It has scored an overall safety rating of 5 stars. It scores 4 out of the 5 stars in the frontal and rollover crash tests. It comes standard with a – Forward Collison warning, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Highlights of the safety features of the Pilot include–

• Pre-collision safety system
• Child seat anchor
• Traction control
• Stability control
• Rear door child safety locks
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Front rear and third-row head airbags
• Ventilated disc brakes 
• Turn signal mirrors

2023 Honda Pilot vs. 2023 Kia Telluride

With around $7000 less, the Kia Telluride provides a better deal. It carries the same V6 engine and pumps out more power. It also offers the highest top speed in the segment. The Pilot offers better fuel economy and more height. Despite having more curb weight than the Telluride, it catches the speed faster. The Kia Telluride provides more ground clearance and a comparatively long wheelbase. The exterior appearance of the Pilot feels rugged, while the Kia provides a more refined look to the Telluride.

2023 Honda Pilot vs. 2023 Ford Bronco

With more money, the Pilot delivers a seating capacity of 8 passengers, but the Bronco offers more ground clearance. The Honda Pilot is longer than the Bronco, but the Bronco has the longest wheelbase. Both cars offer the same amount of cargo space behind the first row, but the Pilot is way ahead in the cargo capacity behind the second row. The interior of the Bronco feels more solid and simple looking, but the Pilot’s cabin has a more premium approach to it. One car looks like an offroader, but the Bronco is known for its one of the best in segment offroading capabilities.

2023 Honda Pilot vs. 2023 Hyundai Palisade

With $3000 less, the 3.8L V6 on the Palisade produces more power. The Hyundai has more top speed. Both cars have almost the same curb weights, The Palisade delivers a standard AWD system, while the Pilot offers only FWD. The Honda Pilot offers better fuel economy. The Palisade has a longer wheelbase and more ground clearance. The exterior appeal of the Pilot feels a little old school. The cabin of the Palisade feels more polished, refined, and premium than that of the Pilot. Both the cars have a good road presence, but some trims of the Pilot are more eye-catching.

No doubt it is a good choice among its key competitors in the segment. It delivers various impressive features as standard, but its base models cost more than the rivals’ base trim. Good ground clearance, fuel-efficient engine, and roomy interior are the factors to consider as your daily driver. The collision mitigation braking system works gently in most conditions. Behind the second row, it has the most cargo-carrying space. All leather seats give it a more premium look than other rivals.