Honda just pulled the sheets on the all-new fourth-generation 2023 Honda Pilot, revealing the “largest and most powerful Honda SUV ever.” Highlights include new styling, a new V6 engine, and a new off-roader trim level. The new Honda Pilot will rival the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia.
Outside, the 2023 Honda Pilot shows off a new upright grille, flared fenders, and a wider stance. The overall length was extended by 3.4 inches, while the wheelbase gains an extra 2.8 inches. LED lighting adds a premium feel, while wheel sizing options include 18-inch and 20-inch designs.
One of the big highlights is the debut of the new TrailSport variant, which is offered as the “most off-road capable Honda SUV ever.” Framed as more of a GMC Acadia AT4 rival than a Traverse rival, the new Honda Pilot TrailSport is equipped with all-terrain tires as standard, as well as steel skid plates, greater ground clearance, and off-road suspension tuning.
Inside, the 2023 Honda Pilot can seat 8 passengers total, and is equipped with a flexible seating arrangement that includes a storable second-row. The latest generation also features more space for second- and third-row passengers with an extra 2.4 inches of legroom and 0.6 inches of legroom, respectively, plus more cargo room (up to 113.7 cubic-feet behind the first row and 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row).
Tech highlights include Honda Sensing safety and driver-assist tech with a standard wide-view camera and radar systems. There’s also digital instrumentation with an available 9-inch HD touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument display, and standard 7-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also onboard.
As for the greasy bits, the 2023 Honda Pilot is motivated by Honda’s “most powerful V6 ever,” specifically a dual overhead cam 3.5L unit producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The new V6 connects to a 10-speed automatic transmission. An available second-generation iVTM4 torque vectoring all-wheel drive system is offered as well.
The 2023 Honda Pilot is set to go on sale next month, and will be available in five trim levels, including Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite. Production takes place in Alabama. Pricing is expected to start around $40,000.
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Comments
Gotta hand it to Honda, they have a winner here.
Agreed. This is a huge step forward over the prior generation.
I have a 2021 Pilot Elite. I’m unimpressed with the interior. Virtually unchanged.
It might sound like a huge hit, but the interior looks cheap, in some views it looks cheaper than the gm counterparts. The base trim is equipped with a 7.0 inch screen! other than the trailsport trim and the sharper exterior, this isn’t much of an upgrade. I wouldn’t put my money on this, I’d wait for the traverse/ Acadia refresh next year.
For your information, Mr Lopez, you are comparing oranges to tangerines! The Traverse/Enclave is on GM’s C1 long wheelbase platform, and the XT5/XT6/Blazer/Acadia is on the SWB C1 platform. The SWB are known as midsize as is the Pilot. Please get your facts correct when comparing vehicles. Thanks!
With the added length and wheelbase of this new Pilot, it sits about at the midpoint of the Acadia size and the Traverse size.
The one thing and very important that was not mentioned is MPG rating. The price of gas makes this a very big issue.
Looks like a cross between a Ford Explorer and a Subaru Atlas – Definitely better looking than its fugly predecessor, but the interior already looks dated. The US is by far Honda’s largest market, but its latest bland offerings have led to serious sales declines (1,276,507 YTD 2021 vs 802,210 YTD 2022 – Hyundai, for the first time in the US outsells Honda 1,188,013 YTD) and this won’t do much to reverse it. Gone are the days of fun, affordable and reliable cars from Honda.
“Subaru Atlas”. Did you mean VW Atlas, or Subaru Ascent?
GM needs new versions with muuuuuuuuuch better interiors as soon as possible.