2023 Honda Pilot Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2023 Honda Pilot has been fully redesigned with a more rugged and substantial appearance. Not only does its upright grille and boxier styling make it look bigger, it actually is bigger than before. The fourth-generation Pilot is 8.6 centimetres longer nose-to-tail, up to 3.8 cm wider, and 2 cm taller than the third-generation model it replaces.

These changes all fit perfectly with the Pilot's all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which gains some legitimate off-road parts to go along with its physical changes. These include a 2.5 cm taller ride height, unique 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates that can support the entire weight of the vehicle. The previous TrailSport trim was more of an appearance package by comparison, so we're glad to see an appropriate change in aesthetics.

The interior takes a more conventional styling route, even when compared to its predecessor. We're pleased to report that it remains attractive and is more functional and versatile than ever. Materials quality meets expectations for the class, and those standards have certainly been elevated in recent years thanks to some very accomplished rivals. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel with shift paddles are standard in Canada.

Overall, the new 2023 Honda Pilot has a tidy and more utilitarian aesthetic that we prefer over the last generation. The Pilot smartly emphasizes function over form, but not at the expense of attraction.

The model year 2023 Honda Pilot is powered by an all-new 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces power specs of 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Its powertrain pairs it with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, and in Canada, Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system (AWD) is standard.

Initial acceleration response is quick with very little delay between the moment you put your foot on the pedal to when the Pilot starts moving. Power is more than adequate, but not particularly impressive. You likely won't feel the need to floor the accelerator, but if you do, the engine emits a fairly pleasant hum and growl. The brake pedal is on the soft side, which is appropriate for a family SUV, and it's easy to modulate, helping you come to a perfectly smooth stop.

The Pilot corners about as well as anyone could expect a three-row SUV to corner. It instills confidence when driven conservatively, but it doesn't encourage sporty driving. There's noticeable body roll when taking a turn, but it's not alarming and residual bouncing and rebounds are absent. The Pilot is tuned for comfort rather than performance, and that makes perfect sense for a family SUV. Steering effort is also feather-light, which is great when you're maneuvering in tight spaces, but it remains a bit too light for our tastes on the highway. As a result, the steering feels somewhat vague and detached, as if you’re driving in a video game.

If you opt for the off-road-capable Honda Pilot TrailSport, the ground clearance increases by 2.5 centimetres and you get all-terrain tires. You really don't notice the increased height, but the chunky tires do add a very subtle vibration when driving on pavement. That's a very small price to pay for the TrailSport's go-anywhere attitude. You might surprise a few Jeep drivers when you arrive at a far-flung scenic overlook that would cripple lesser off-roaders. Towing capacity is available up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs).

Normally, vehicles with moderate all-terrain capabilities like the Pilot tend to sacrifice some on-road composure and comfort, but that's not the case here. If you're seeking an SUV that can comfortably handle daily family duties and still get everyone into the great outdoors, few do it better than the Pilot.

The Honda Pilot's interior is more conventional when compared to other new Honda vehicles that feature a horizontal mesh dash trim that hides the air vents, such as the new CR-V, new Civic, and new Accord. While it may not be as visually impactful, you get a very handy dash shelf for the front passenger in return. The entry-level Sport trim comes with a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the dash, while higher trims upgrade to a nine-inch display. Our test unit is the U.S. equivalent of a Touring trim, and the touchscreen seems small for the available space, but it is still adequate. We would expect future Pilots to eventually get a larger touchscreen.

Primary controls for climate and drive modes are logically placed, eliminating the need to dig through on-screen menus. Just below the climate controls is a large rubberized shelf that can easily accommodate two max-sized phones, and there's a wireless charging pad for one of them. Further aft are two large cupholders and a wide centre console bin that Honda claims will hold a full-sized tablet.

As is customary with Honda family vehicles, there are plenty of other clever storage and convenience features. The front doors have more moderately-sized pockets as well as another large cupholder that can hold a one-litre drink bottle.

The real star of the show is the Pilot's stowable second-row centre seat, though. With a tug of a strap and a lift from the back edge, the folded centre seat can be removed to provide a useful centre pass-through for third-row passengers, reducing passenger seating to 7. That's particularly helpful if you have a child seat installed in one of the outboard seats. Even better, you probably won't be left without that middle seat when you need it, as it fits under the cargo floor.

There's an abundance of space in the second row for adults above six feet tall. The third row is less inviting with a lower seat cushion that greatly reduces thigh support, but average-sized adults should be fine back there for short trips. Behind those third row seats, you can fit as much as 635 litres of cargo, or 618 with the TrailSport trim. If the second-row centre seat isn't stowed underneath, the floor can drop to create more cargo space. The floor section can also be flipped over to make use of a hard plastic surface that could come in handy if you have dirty or wet gear. Fold the third row flat and the cargo area grows to either 1,685 or 1,702 litres behind the second-row seats, depending on the trim. At its maximum behind the front seats, you can haul as much as 3,219 litres. That figures out to roughly 30 percent more capacity than the Kia Telluride, which maxes out at 2,455 litres. A power tailgate is standard, and it becomes hands-free on higher trims.

We suggest stepping up to at least the EX-L trim level if you consider yourself technologically adept. Not only will you get the larger touchscreen infotainment system, but you'll also benefit from wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a wireless phone charger. To get USB ports in every row, you’ll need to step up to the Touring trim. This will also get you a multi-view camera system, head-up display, and fully digital instrument panel.

The infotainment touchscreen functions well with quick responses, a logical layout, and large on-screen buttons. The graphics don't look particularly modern, but we'll take functionality over fashion any day. Other features include Honda's CabinTalk, which works as an interior PA through the audio system to quell rear-seat uprisings. The Touring trim tops off the features list with a navigation system, Bose premium audio, remote monitor

Crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) netted Honda a Top Safety Pick+ rating, the highest available. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet rated the new Pilot.

Standard Honda Sensing safety features for all Pilot trims include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, traffic-jam assist, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a traffic sign reader, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Step up to the EX-L and higher trims to receive front and rear parking sensors. The Touring trim includes surround-view and multi-view camera systems.

In our time driving the new Pilot, we experienced no false alarms, and all of the advanced safety features functioned as they should. The adaptive cruise control does a good job of maintaining the gap to the vehicle in front of you with smooth accelerator and brake inputs. If you plan on off-roading, it's a good idea to disable some proximity warnings and low-speed automatic braking, as obstacles can all too easily trigger them.

2023 Honda Pilot pricing starts at $52,784 for the base Honda Pilot Sport trim with the standard AWD drivetrain, including destination and other fees. At the very top of the range, the Honda Pilot Touring trim starts at $63,481, while the trendy Black Edition that gives a blackout treatment to the same equipment level comes in at $64,981. We recommend the midrange Pilot EX-L trim as the value leader. You gain features that include leather upholstery, a universal garage door opener via HomeLink, second-row sunshades, and the aforementioned safety and technology features. Sadly, the stowable second-row centre seat is available on only the more expensive Touring and Black Edition trims.

If you have legitimate plans to explore moderately challenging off-road terrain, the $59,884 TrailSport model is an excellent choice. Otherwise, if you plan to keep it on pavement, you'd be better served by any other trim.

Natural Resources Canada estimates the Pilot with the AWD system will return 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres city, 9.3 on the highway, and 11.0 in combined driving. The lifted and AT-tire-shod TrailSport model is rated at 13.0 L/100 km city, 10.3 highway and 11.8 combined. The Touring model measures up at 12.7 L/100 km city, 9.4 hwy, 11.2 combined.

By comparison, the much-loved Kia Telluride is estimated at 11.4 L/100 km combined. The Nissan Pathfinder is estimated to return 10.5 L/100 km combined for most models and 11.1 combined for the Rock Creek outdoor-oriented version. The most efficient three-row midsize SUV is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which is estimated at 6.7 L/100 km combined and even the non-hybrid models achieve 9.9 L/100 km combined. Other key competitors include the Hyundai Palisade and Ford Explorer.

The 2023 Honda Pilot benefits from an incremental improvement across the board when compared to its predecessor and is on equal footing with the Kia Telluride, just perhaps with a different personality. It's more rugged looking and has the off-road abilities to back it up. It's also incredibly versatile and is built with families in mind, with clever features and plenty of storage space. The Telluride may have a slightly more luxurious interior, but at the end of the day, the decision between the two could come down to aesthetics and personal preference, and you can't go wrong with either.

Note: Images show a US model.