Honda’s all-new 2023 Pilot revealed, TrailSport trim updated

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Honda has unveiled the 2023 Pilot, an all-new version of its three-row SUV and now with a more rugged version of the TrailSport trim that the automaker says is its most off-road-capable SUV ever.

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Honda is also advertising that this fourth-generation Pilot is the largest SUV it’s ever offered, as well as its most powerful. Compared to the 2022 Pilot, this new version is 86 mm longer, although it’s marginally smaller in width by 42 mm. Passenger and cargo space are also increased.

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The new Pilot carries a 3.5L V6 as the 2022 model did, but it’s all-new and has a five-horsepower bump up to 285 hp, with 262 lb-ft of torque as before. It still includes variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, and is now mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission instead of a nine-speed. All trims – Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Black Edition – use an improved all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with torque vectoring, which can send up to 70 per cent of power to the rear axle, and then all of that to either the left or right wheel as needed.

The TrailSport trim made its debut for 2022, but it was primarily a few styling cues and cladding added to a regular model. The 2023 edition adds an off-road-tuned suspension with 25-mm lift, unique stabilizer bars, unique 18-inch wheels with Continental TerrainContact all-terrain tires, and skid plates. Its Trail drive mode uses the AWD torque vectoring to send as much as 75 per cent of available power to one tire when another is off the ground on rough surfaces, with the remaining 25 per cent allotted to the in-the-air wheel so it’s ready to go once it’s back on the ground.

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The Pilot’s new styling includes an upright grille and flared fenders, new LED taillights, 18- or 20-inch wheels, and gloss black trim. An available HPD (Honda Performance Development) package adds 20-inch matte-black wheels, fender flares, side skid plate, and HPD badges.

The new interior includes fatigue-reducing seats and an available removable second-row seat that can be stowed under the cargo floor. Second-row legroom increases by up to 60 mm and those seats can be reclined up to 10 degrees, up from six. It’s also easier to get into the third row, which has 16 mm more legroom than before.

Standard or available features will include a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seven- or 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, next-generation front passenger airbag, driver and front-passenger knee airbags, Bose premium audio, and opening panoramic sunroof. Heated seats and steering wheel are standard on all models. The Honda Sensing System suite of driver-assist safety technologies adds a new wide-view camera and radar. Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. The new Pilot goes on sale this winter, with pricing announced closer to launch.