The all-new 2023 Honda Pilot, the largest and most authoritative SUV in Honda history, will go on-sale Dec. 12. Offering a class-leading blend of off-road capability and nimble on-road dynamics, the fourth-generation Pilot is the ultimate family SUV with rugged new styling, and more passenger and cargo space.
Pilot’s five well-equipped trim levels include the new Pilot TrailSport, the most rugged and off-road capable Honda SUV ever, with special off-road features engineered to get weekend adventurers even further off the beaten path.
Pilot’s Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) begins with the Pilot Sport at $39,1501 (excluding $1,295 destination charge).
“We’ve reengineered the all-new Honda Pilot from the ground up to set a new benchmark in the midsize 3-row SUV class. With more space, power and capability, the new Pilot is more rugged than ever and ready for that next great family adventure.”
Lance Woelfer, assistant vice president, Honda National Auto Sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Exceptionally Well-Equipped
Designed and developed in the United States of America, the 2023 Pilot lineup starts with the very well-equipped Sport, which comes with Honda’s all-new 3.5-liter V6 that debuts on Pilot, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that has been tuned exclusively for Pilot. The mixture is smooth and responsive, with 285 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 262 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm (both SAE net). A new standard Hill Descent Control system enhances Pilot’s off-road capability.
A new easy-to-use 7-inch touchscreen audio system is standard with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, physical volume and tuning knobs and a simplified menu structure. Partial digital instrumentation, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, LED headlights and Shark Gray 7-spoke 20-inch wheels are also standard.
Pilot EX-L builds on the Sport’s equipment with leather seats and a standard 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and a simplified menu structure. Qi-compatible 15W wireless smartphone charging, an upgraded 9-speaker audio system and a power tailgate are all standard. EX-L also adds exterior flash with chrome trim and grille bar and machined 5-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.
The new Pilot TrailSport conveys even more off-road capability to the Pilot lineup. Exclusive rugged hardware consist of an off-road tuned suspension with an additional inch of ground clearance, robust steel skid plates to better protect the underbody from damage on the trail and expanded all-wheel drive capabilities.
Pilot TrailSport is also the first Honda SUV with all-terrain tires for improved off-road traction. TrailSport’s unique 18-inch wheels have a rugged look and are carefully designed to reduce the likelihood of trail damage.
A new TrailWatch camera system (also standard on Elite) uses four exterior cameras and four camera views to help drivers navigate off-road obstacles.
Exclusive to TrailSport, a new available Diffused Sky Blue paint color highlights its rugged design and adventurous spirit. In the cabin, TrailSport stands out with rugged details including exclusive orange contrast stitching, all-season floor mats with TrailSport logos, and head restraints embroidered with the TrailSport logo. A sliding panoramic sunroof is also standard.
For a higher level of versatility,Pilot Touring adds on-demand 8-occupant flexibility (also standard on Elite). In the second row, a first-in-class multi-function removable middle seat can be conveniently stored underneath the rear cargo floor instead of being left at home in the garage. Families then have the seat available if they need it later in their journey, providing owners three distinct seating options on demand. Pilot is the only truck in its class with 8-occupant seating and an opening panoramic sunroof.
A 12-speaker Bose premium audio system custom-engineered for the new interior delivers a concert-quality listening experience. Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ and Wi-Fi Hotspot capability are also standard.
Pilot Elite tops the lineup with standard all-wheel drive, and additional interior features and functions including perforated leather seat inserts, ventilated front seats, a configurable 10.2-inch digital instrument display, a color head-up display, and a multi-view camera system with a 360-degree view.
Touring and Elite also receive premium exterior finishes, including a gloss black grille mesh and B-pillar, dual chrome exhaust garnish and distinct 7-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels with a machined-finish.
Stronger, Safer and More Capable
Every 2023 Pilot benefits from extensive improvements to the body, chassis and powertrain, safety technology, and overall driving refinement. A sportier and more engaging driving experience was created through an all-new chassis and Pilot’s stiffest body structure ever. The extremely rigid platform was engineered with TrailSport’s true off-road capabilities in mind from the beginning, which also benefits the ride, handling and overall refinement of the entire Pilot lineup.
Pilot also introduces the second generation of Honda’s award-winning torque vectoring i-VTM4™ all-wheel drive system, which is available on all grades and standard on TrailSport and Elite. The new and more capable i-VTM4 system features a stronger rear differential that can handle 40% more torque and provides 30% faster response, optimizing traction in all driving scenarios, especially slick conditions and off-road.
Five standard selectable drive modes optimize the driving experience for various conditions: Normal, Econ, Snow, plus new Sport and Tow modes. EX-L models and above (with all-wheel drive) also feature a Sand mode and a new Trail mode which optimize Pilot’s off-road capabilities.
In addition, all 2023 Pilots come standard with an expanded Honda Sensing® suite of driver-assistive technologies that includes Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR). Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS) have been updated to feature more natural responses. A rear seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder are also new and standard across the lineup.
Special Option Packages
Available for the first time on Pilot, a new HPD Package takes Pilot’s rugged new styling even further. Developed in collaboration with Honda Performance Development (HPD), Honda’s U.S.-based racing company, the HPD Package adds fender flares, aggressive bronze- or black-colored wheels and special HPD graphics ($2,950). Available on all Pilot trims, it’s one of several new post-production option packages that include Protection ($290), Function ($405) and Tow ($305 – $990).
Additional details on the all-new 2023 Honda Pilot are available here on Hondanews.com.
Pilot Manufacturing
The new fourth-generation Pilot and Pilot TrailSport will continue to be built in America*, exclusively at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant in Lincoln, Alabama, continuing the 40-year legacy of Honda’s commitment to build products close to the customer. Since 2006, Honda has produced more than 2 million Pilots in the U.S.
* using domestic and globally-sourced parts