The 2023 Honda Pilot marks a significant step forward for the popular three-row SUV, undergoing a complete redesign that touches on nearly every aspect of the vehicle. As a content creator for obd2global.com and an automotive repair specialist, I’ve taken a thorough look at the new Pilot to provide an in-depth 2023 Honda Pilot Review for those considering this family-focused vehicle. While the original reviewer approached the Pilot from the perspective of a single individual, this review will delve into its merits as a practical and reliable choice for families and everyday drivers.
The Honda Pilot has long been a staple in the three-row SUV market, and this latest iteration aims to solidify its position against strong competitors. For 2023, Honda has introduced a new engine, transmission, chassis, and an updated interior and exterior design. The result is a larger, more spacious, and technologically advanced SUV, built for the demands of modern family life. While it might not be the most exciting vehicle on the road, its strength lies in its sheer usability and dependability, traits that are highly valued in the SUV segment.
The 2023 Pilot aims to be the quintessential American land yacht – spacious, comfortable, and ready for any family adventure. Let’s dive into the details of this all-new SUV.
Honda Pilot 2023: The Basics and What’s New
The Honda Pilot’s reputation in the three-row SUV segment is undeniable. The 2023 model year represents the fourth generation, and it’s grown considerably from its 2002 origins. This new Pilot is not just bigger; it presents a more assertive, squared-off front fascia and incorporates Honda’s latest interior design language, elevating the cabin’s ambiance significantly. Specifically, the Elite trim now boasts a full-LCD instrument cluster, replacing the previous partial-LCD setup, alongside a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Furthermore, the updated Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies is standard across all trim levels, enhancing safety and convenience.
Under the hood, every 2023 Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, now with twin-cam heads, producing 285 horsepower. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth and efficient power delivery. Buyers have the choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Pilot retains its unibody construction, a key element that contributes to its car-like ride and handling, differentiating it from truck-based SUVs by providing a more comfortable and quieter driving experience.
While Honda emphasizes the “cleaner, more chiseled” exterior styling, the interior is where the 2023 Pilot truly shines. It’s characterized by a modern, uncluttered design that prioritizes functionality and ease of use. The cabin is remarkably spacious, offering generous room for passengers in all three rows. The second row seats recline and comfortably accommodate three adults with ample legroom. Notably, the third row is among the most usable in its class, capable of accommodating adults even on longer journeys, feeling more akin to the rear seats of a large hatchback. The Elite trim enhances versatility with a removable and storable middle seat in the second row, which can be conveniently stored under the trunk floor.
From the driver’s perspective, the Pilot offers a commanding view of the road. The interior design emphasizes simplicity and quality, with physical buttons and knobs for primary functions, a welcome departure from overly complex touch-based controls found in some competitors. While it may lack some of the “wow” factor of more stylized interiors, its long-term usability and lack of gimmicks contribute to a comfortable and stress-free ownership experience. One notable tech feature is CabinTalk, allowing front passengers to easily communicate with those in the third row using the vehicle’s audio system. Overall, the technology in the Pilot is well-integrated and user-friendly, never feeling overwhelming.
The top-tier Elite trim adds further premium features such as a head-up display, perforated leather seating surfaces with black accents, rain-sensing wipers, and the aforementioned full-LCD gauge cluster. It shares the impressive 12-speaker Bose sound system with the Touring trim, and the heated steering wheel from the TrailSport, along with a trail camera system, rounding out its comprehensive feature set.
Driving Experience: Comfort and Practicality on the Road
The 2023 Honda Pilot is designed for comfortable and relaxed driving, perfectly suited for its intended role as a family vehicle. To thoroughly assess its real-world usability, the original reviewer enlisted family members to experience the Pilot as passengers, simulating typical family use cases.
The interior space truly shines when it comes to passenger comfort. Ample headroom, knee room, and legroom are available for all occupants. The seats are designed to be reasonably soft and supportive, suitable for long journeys. Even with the driver’s seat pushed back to accommodate taller individuals, rear passenger space remains generous. During testing, passengers reported no comfort issues, even in the third row on a two-hour trip. Practicality extends to storage, with an abundance of cupholders (14 in total) and large door pockets capable of holding oversized water bottles, catering to the needs of busy families.
Cabin noise is reasonably well-managed, although not class-leading in terms of quietness. Some wind noise from the A-pillars was noted at highway speeds, and road imperfections translated into a noticeable, albeit not intrusive, level of white noise within the cabin. While generally quiet on smooth highways, improvements in road noise isolation would further enhance the premium feel.
The Pilot’s conventional suspension prioritizes ride comfort, and it generally delivers a smooth and composed ride over varied surfaces. However, sharper road imperfections and bumps can be felt more distinctly within the cabin. While overall comfort remains high, particularly for its price point, the suspension tuning leans more towards practicality than outright luxury. One surprisingly positive aspect is the Pilot’s maneuverability in parking lots. Its tight turning circle, comparable to a compact car, and light steering at low speeds make parking and maneuvering in tight spaces remarkably easy for a vehicle of its size.
The powertrain, largely carried over from the previous generation but refined, is designed for seamless and unobtrusive operation. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and responsively, avoiding gear hunting even with its wide ratio range. Power is adequate for everyday driving, providing sufficient acceleration and overtaking capability. The engine remains quiet and refined, even at higher RPMs.
Surprisingly, the Pilot exhibits decent handling characteristics. While not a sports car, its low-rolling-resistance tires and light, precise steering contribute to a level of confidence in corners. However, its considerable weight is always apparent, and aggressive cornering is unlikely to be a typical use case for this family SUV.
On highways and open roads, the 2023 Pilot excels as a comfortable and relaxed cruiser. The Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance features, particularly the adaptive cruise control, performed effectively in testing. Lane keep assist is also competent, although the lane centering function occasionally exhibited minor oscillations. The Elite trim’s LCD gauge cluster provides clear and easily digestible information about the driver-assistance systems, inspiring confidence in their use. The adaptive cruise control also includes a stop-and-go function for added convenience in traffic.
Passenger feedback from the rear seats was overwhelmingly positive. Occupants praised the comfort, spaciousness, and features like rear window shades. The Pilot proved to be a comfortable and capable vehicle for transporting multiple passengers, even on longer trips, and handled light off-road conditions with surprising ease, further enhancing its versatility for family adventures.
High Points and Areas for Improvement
The 2023 Honda Pilot excels as a spacious and practical three-row SUV designed for families. Its key strengths lie in its exceptional passenger space, comfortable seating in all three rows, generous cargo capacity, and overall user-friendliness. The sheer number of cupholders and thoughtful storage solutions underscore its family-oriented design. Few three-row SUVs can match the Pilot’s combination of passenger comfort and practicality, making it a true minivan alternative in SUV form.
However, in a highly competitive segment, there are areas where the Pilot could be further improved. While cabin noise is generally acceptable, enhancing road noise insulation, especially on rougher road surfaces, would elevate the overall refinement. Similarly, while the interior is functional and well-built, some buyers seeking a more visually striking or technologically advanced cabin might find it somewhat understated compared to some competitors.
Competitive Landscape: 2023 Honda Pilot vs. the Rivals
The three-row SUV segment is fiercely contested, with numerous compelling options available. The 2023 Honda Pilot competes directly with segment leaders like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, as well as the Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander (including the Grand Highlander), Ford Explorer, Volkswagen Atlas, Subaru Ascent, Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee L. All of these SUVs occupy a similar price range, starting around $37,000 and reaching into the mid-$50,000s for higher trims. Despite the intense competition, the Pilot stands out as a top contender, offering a well-rounded package of space, comfort, and practicality.
Honda offers a wide range of Pilot trim levels to cater to different needs and budgets. Starting with the base LX, the lineup progresses through Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, and Elite trims, with price increases of approximately $3,000-$4,000 between each step. The EX-L trim is often considered the value sweet spot, offering leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay, a power tailgate, and parking sensors at a competitive price point (around $43,645 for FWD, $45,745 for AWD).
The base Pilot LX includes essential features like keyless entry and start, Honda Sensing safety suite, and a seven-inch touchscreen. The Sport trim adds sporty styling elements, larger wheels, blind spot monitoring, and roof rails. The TrailSport trim is geared towards light off-roading with a 360-degree camera, skid plates, and off-road tuned suspension. The Touring trim enhances luxury with a panoramic sunroof, Bose premium audio, stowable second-row middle seat, and navigation. The top-of-the-line Elite trim includes all of these features plus a head-up display, heated second-row seats, ventilated front seats, and the digital LCD instrument cluster.
Fuel Efficiency: Competitive in its Class
The 2023 Honda Pilot’s fuel economy is on par with the average for its segment. Most competitors in this class achieve similar fuel economy figures. The turbocharged Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-90 offer slightly better fuel efficiency, while hybrid versions of the Highlander provide the most fuel-efficient three-row options.
EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2023 Honda Pilot are:
- City: 19 mpg
- Highway: 25 mpg
- Combined: 21 mpg
Real-world observed fuel economy during testing was 22 mpg over a mix of highway and city driving, aligning closely with EPA estimates.
Verdict: A Strong Contender in the Three-Row SUV Segment
The 2023 Honda Pilot review concludes that this all-new model is a compelling choice in the highly competitive three-row SUV segment. It delivers on its promise of providing a spacious, comfortable, capable, and user-friendly vehicle for families. Its strengths lie in its practicality and dependability, offering everything buyers expect from a Honda SUV without unnecessary frills. It prioritizes substance over fleeting trends, making it a smart long-term choice.
While it may not boast the most cutting-edge technology or the most luxurious interior in the class, the 2023 Honda Pilot excels in providing exceptional interior space, versatility, and a comfortable driving experience, all while remaining competitively priced and fuel-efficient. It’s a well-rounded SUV that confidently meets the needs of most three-row SUV buyers, making it a highly recommended option in its segment.
