In a world of four-cylinder and four-cylinder turbocharged engines in large crossovers, it’s extremely refreshing to see a brand-new model come out with a V-6. The Honda Pilot is all-new for 2023, and it offers six fantastic cylinders under its hood. The J-Series is present here, and we’re so thankful that Honda didn’t bestow four cylinders on its largest SUV offering. The Honda Pilot is completely redesigned this year with an all-new fourth-generation model; let’s see how it stacks up in this class of vehicle.
2023 Honda Pilot
- V-6
- 10-Speed Automatic
- Roomy
- All-New Design
- Standard Features
- Standard Safety Tech
- Model: Pilot
- Engine:: 3.5-Liter V-6
- Power Output: 285 HP
- Torque: 262 LB-FT
- Range: 388 Miles
- Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic
- Driveline: FWD or AWD
- Still Offers A V6
- Loads Of Standard Equipment
- New Panoramic Moon Roof
- High Starting Price
- Fuel Economy
- Options Add Up
2023 Honda Pilot Performance And Capability
The 2023 Honda Pilot is all-new this year. And usually, all new models are ditching the larger engines and going with smaller displacement engines with added bells and whistles to get power (turbochargers). However, Honda is taking a different route with its large SUV. Honda is keeping the V-6 engine and adding technology to its famous J-Series. Instead of adding a four-cylinder turbocharged or supercharged engine like so many competitors are doing these days, Honda is adding technology to an existing design to make it even more efficient.
The J-Series in the Pilot has VCM (variable cylinder management) and GDI (gasoline direct injection). What is VCM? Well, this isn’t a new technology for the J-Series, but it’s a technology that greatly helps efficiency at cruising speeds. VCM shuts off a bank of cylinders in the engine turning the six-cylinder engine into a three-cylinder engine. What’s GDI? It’s a type of fuel injection system. Again, not new, but it greatly helps fuel economy.
Here's how it works. Instead of spraying fuel over valves and having it sucked into the engine, GDI sprays fuel directly into the cylinder chamber. While both of these technologies aren’t new or new to the J-Series, they do help maximize the fuel economy of this engine. And as you’d expect from any engine in the J-Series line, V-TEC is present.
As for transmissions, a 10-speed automatic is your only available transmission. It’s a Honda unit this time around, not a ZF transmission. This transmission is found in other Honda models, and we found it to be smooth and quick in its shifts. We’re glad Honda is also sticking with a traditional stepped automatic transmission and not a CVT in its large SUV.
FWD is standard on the Pilot, while Honda’s All-Wheel Drive system is optional. AWD is standard on the highest trim of the Pilot. We recommend the AWD system if you live in snowy states or in an area with inclement weather. It’s a great AWD system that provides that sure-footed feeling you expect in a family vehicle.
Engine | 3.5-liter V6 |
Power | 285 HP |
Torque | 262 Pound Feet |
Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic |
0-60 | Not Yet Tested |
Weight | 4,313 - 4,660 Pounds |
Drive | FWD or AWD |
Mileage/Range | 388 Miles |
Towing Capacity | 3,500 - 5,000 Pounds |
Exterior Design
The exterior of the 2023 Honda Pilot takes on an evolutionary design, and it wears its metal well. We actually see a lot of influence in the design of older SUV models from Honda like the 1990s Passport that was co-developed with Isuzu. We see that influence on the side, with the back door windows.
Starting at the front, there’s a clear influence from other current Honda SUVs. The grille looks like the Honda Ridgeline’s grille and houses a large Honda emblem with the radar system. Headlights are thin and elegant, which is not something that can be said of other SUVs in this class with large headlights. Below the grille and headlights, there’s another large air dam that looks ready to inhale the roads you’re driving on. Little chrome pieces accent the left and right side of the bumper, which again adds an elegant and upscale look to the Pilot.
Around the side, we see hints of Chevrolet Traverse in the window designs. Those windows are huge and oversized, making visibility a breeze. Mirrors are oversized which should provide great rearward visibility. Wheel options are all alloy and range from graphite to all-black wheels. We like the wheels on the Touring and Elite trims the best as they offer a mix of silver and graphite.
In the rear, we see some hits of Nissan Pathfinder in the tailgate design. We also see lots of influence from the Honda CR-V. Taillights are large and there’s a black piece with the “Pilot” wording connecting the two lamps together. Below the tailgate is a black bumper that looks rugged and something that we think SUV owners will like because it won’t show scratches and little chips.
Overall, the Honda Pilot reminds us of a rugged SUV. It looks less car-ish and more truck-ish. We like the black cladding. That’s not something we’re normally a fan of, but it looks good here and looks well thought out. We also like the generous about of glass used. Visibility should be great in the Pilot.
Diffused Sky Blue Pearl | $395 |
Crystal Black Pearl | Standard |
Lunar Silver Metallic | Standard |
Modern Steel Metallic | Standard |
Obsidian Blue Pearl | Standard |
Platinum White Pearl | $395 |
Radiant Red Metallic II | $395 |
Sonic Gray Pearl | $395 |
Length | 199.9 - 200.2 Inches |
Width | 78.5 Inches |
Height | 70.9 - 72.0 Inches |
Wheelbase | 113.8 Inches |
Ground Clearance | 7.3 - 8.3 Inches |
Interior Quality And Technology
The interior of the Honda Pilot is a much-improved area. The last generation(s) of Pilots had very utilitarian cabins and technology wasn’t a strong suit. However, Honda’s greatly improved that with this generation and now has a great suite of technology and design. We see lots of Honda CR-V influence here, and that’s not a bad place to get designs from. The dashboard is clean and houses a large center screen, which pops up from the dash.
There’s also a digital gauge cluster, which is a great upscale feature, and always welcomed. The vents are large and out of the way too, something which isn’t always the case. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with wireless connectivity of those features an option. A premium Bose stereo is also an option. A panoramic moon roof is optional too. As always, we recommend the panoramic moon roof.
In the front, you’ll find a set of typically large Honda seats with optional leather and ventilation. In the rear, you’ll also find optional heated seats in the rear with optional captain chairs. Keep in mind, the Elite trim comes standard with captains chairs, which will reduce seating capacity… so if you’re looking for the most capacity in your Pilot, stick with the lower trims. As you’d expect, seating and legroom in this class of SUV are plentiful. Even the third row has room for adults. Flop the seats down, and there’s room to carry just about anything a daily mission requires. This is a very practical SUV for families looking to haul people, cargo, or any combination in between.
Headroom | 40.5 - 39.3 Inches |
Legroom | 41.0 - 32.5 Inches |
Cargo Volume | 87.0 Cubic Feet |
Seating Room | 7 - 8 |
2023 Honda Pilot Price
The 2023 Honda Pilot prices start at $39,150 plus a delivery fee of $1,295. That brings the total for a base FWD Pilot to over $40,000… that’s a little much, however, there is a generous amount of standard equipment and features that come with that price. While this is more than some competitors, we think that the fact that this is a Honda justifies that price. Not to mention the number of features you get. AWD is a 2,000-dollar option. Again, a little steep, however, this is a very advanced AWD system, much more advanced than competing vehicles. We also think the V-6 alone justifies this price. It’s refreshing to see a V-6 as standard in this class.
2023 Honda Pilot Prices
Sport | $39,150 |
EX-L | $41,950 |
Touring | $46,450 |
TrailSport | $48,350 |
Elite | $52,030 |
Safety
Almost all the safety features available are standard on the base trim Pilot. That includes collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, road departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system. Optional features include parking sensors. As you’d expect, ABS, traction control, stability control, brake distribution, and TPMS are standard. AWD is optional and comes highly recommended. NHTSA has not rated the 2023 Honda Pilot just yet.
Main Competition
The mid-size three-row SUV space is a crowded one and the Honda Pilot has always been one of the best-selling models in this segment. Other vehicles that come to mind in this class are the Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Mazda CX-9. Those are just a few of the vehicles in this class. We think one of the biggest features to mention for the Pilot is the V6. That’s extremely rare for a brand-new model to have in this class, and we greatly appreciate that engine. We also like the generous amount of features and equipment as standard. There aren’t really too many options to add to your Pilot. The Honda Pilot is a great SUV, and it continues to pilot the large SUV class.
FAQ
Q: Is the Pilot a V6?
Yes, a V6 engine is standard?
Q: Is the Pilot a CVT?
No, there's no CVT offered. The standard transmission is a 10-speed automatic.
Q: Is there a hybrid Pilot?
No, there's no hybrid offered yet.
Q: Is there a premuim stereo offered on the Pilot?
Yes, there's a Bose stereo offered.
Q: Is there a panoramic moon roof offered?
Yes, a panoramic roof is now available.
Q: Is the Honda Pilot all-new?
Yes, the 2023 model is the first model year of the new generation.