The redesigned 2023 Honda Pilot three-row crossover SUV sports a new look, a stiffer platform, upgraded technology, and an increased price, Honda announced Tuesday.
The 2023 Honda Pilot Sport starts at $40,445, including a $1,295 destination fee. That’s an increase of $2,390 over the 2022 Honda Pilot when it first arrived, and $1,070 more than the 2022 Pilot now costs, according to the manufacturer’s website.
Honda employs a new 3.5-liter V-6 in the fourth-generation Pilot. It makes 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, up marginally, but Honda swapped out the 9-speed automatic in favor of a 10-speed automatic transmission. The fuel efficiency rating lowers, however, from an EPA-rated 20 mpg city, 27 highway, 23 combined in the 2022 model to 19/27/22 mpg in the 2023 Honda Pilot. Without a hybrid option, the Pilot and its new powertrain can’t keep pace with more efficient three-row crossover SUVs, such as the 2023 Toyota Highlander hybrid, which has an EPA rating of 36 mpg combined, and the 2022 Ford Explorer hybrid and its 27-mpg combined rating.
The Pilot’s new all-wheel-drive system can shift up to 70% of the power to the rear end, and then split it across the rear wheels for better distribution, Honda says. AWD adds $2,100 to Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims, but it’s standard on Trailsport and Elite models.
The family hauler with up to eight seats comes with good driver-assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control. The Pilot Sport has LED headlights and rides on 20-inch wheels, and standard convenience features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen with smartphone compatibility, three-zone climate control, and heated front seats.
The Pilot EX-L hits the sweet spot for features with leather seats, a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charger, power tailgate, and 9-speaker audio system. It’s trimmed with chrome outside and rides on 18-inch alloy wheels. It starts at $43,245, which is $1,640 than last year’s EX-L. It costs $300 more to equip the EX-L with second-row captain’s chairs that converts the Pilot from eight seats to seven seats.
The Touring costs about $1,300 more to $47,745 and adds more versatility and refinement. Same as the Elite, it has eight seats, but the middle seat in the second row can be removed and stowed under the rear cargo floor instead of gathering cobwebs and curse words in the garage. Other Touring features include a panoramic sunroof, 12-speaker Bose sound, navigation, and a wifi hotspot.
2023 Honda Pilot
The new Trailsport model has standard AWD and costs $200 less than a Touring AWD at $49,645. Similar to the Honda Passport Trailsport that straddles the difference between off-road intender and soft-road pretender, the Pilot Trailsport has an extra inch of ground clearance and better articulation, and fits standard 18-inch all-terrain tires. Skid plates protect the underbody and a Trail mode helps keep wheelspin in check by moving and reducing power as needed. It comes with a surround-view camera system and a panoramic sunroof.
On any 2023 Honda Pilot, a new HPD Package adds fender flares and bronze or black wheels for $2,950.
The Elite version tops the 2023 Honda Pilot lineup at $53,325, or $1,660 more than last year’s model. It has perforated leather upholstery, cooled front seats, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a color head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.
Built in Alabama, the 2023 Honda Pilot goes on sale Dec. 12.
More Stories
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Unsurprisingly Thirsty at 15 MPG Combined
How to fix your sagging headliner
The Best 90’s Cars You Can Buy Today