For the 2023 model year, Honda is expected to release a completely new version of its three-row Pilot SUV.
The company has provided a teaser picture of a TrailSport variant dressed in camouflage on a faraway rocky mountainside, indicating that the Pilot will be getting a more rugged look this time around.
The available powertrains for the 2023 Pilot have yet to be announced, although the mid-size crossover is often offered with V-6 power.
We may see Honda drop in a partially electric configuration here as well, according to the company’s recent intentions to concentrate more on hybrid powertrains.
In any case, the new model will be at least as powerful as the current one, which is powered by a 280-hp V-6.
To compete with more powerful class rivals like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Grand Cherokee, it might get a version of the TLX’s turbocharged V-6.
We expect most models to offer all-wheel drive, however, the Pilot is expected to remain on a front-wheel-drive platform.
Keep an eye out for our Honda Pilot reviews from 2023 to learn more about this extraordinary new crossover SUV.
What’s New for the 2023 Honda Pilot?
For the next year, the new 2023 Honda Pilot will be completely redesigned, featuring an updated exterior design that matches current Honda models such as the smaller CR-V SUV and Civic compact car and hatchback.
With narrow headlights, vertical vents in the bumper, and a huge but basic grille, they advertise a more sharply styled SUV.
This matches the 2023 honda pilot spy photos we’ve seen so far. In the fall of 2022, we expect to see the manufacturing version, and in early 2023, we expect to sell it.
The renderings show the Pilot will have a full-width taillight element, whereas spy photos of the SUV’s back were less revealing.
With a prominent roof spoiler, it has a sporty appearance. Its performance-oriented look is enhanced by the black cladding and silver insert on the rear bumper.
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How much does the 2023 Honda Pilot cost?
The new 2023 Honda Pilot price is likely to closely match that of the outgoing 2022 Honda Pilot special edition version, despite the fact that everything about it will be new for 2023.
The basic model of the new Pilot is expected to cost $38,000. Prices might reach $44,000 and $50,000 for the Honda Pilot Touring and Elite trims, respectively.
The cost of this Honda SUV will also rise as a result of the addition of options and packages.
What exactly will the 2023 Pilot look like?
We expect a vehicle with a more squared-off look than the Ridgeline pickup truck. The previous Pilot’s high-riding and minivan-like design were starting to get lost in a sea of rivals, as SUV buyers now prefer models with a more rugged exterior.
The 2023 Pilot should offer more legroom in the second and third rows, sharing the same platform as the updated Acura MDX.
Adults in the rearmost row, which was previously rather confined in comparison to rivals with more room, will be happy about this.
Engine
We expect the Honda Pilot to continue to feature a V-6 engine in the new generation. The powertrain used in the current Pilot, a 3.5-liter V-6 coupled to a nine-speed automatic gearbox that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-foot of torque, is likely to be used in this vehicle as well.
Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. The Pilot’s current gas mileage, roughly 19/26 mpg city/highway, is unlikely to improve much.
Exterior
As previously stated, the new generation has already been spotted on the highway. Despite the fact that it still wears camouflage, it is clear that significant changes are coming.
The bigger of the two will be one of them. In every way, the new model will be bigger. Its wheelbase will grow by 2.8 inches, providing more interior room, similar to the new MDX. There will be changes in other areas as well.
A new aesthetic will be implemented very soon as well. The Honda Pilot of 2023 will have a similar SUV architecture, but its looks will be considerably more aggressive and muscular.
The vehicle’s most notable feature will undoubtedly be the front end, which is expected to use the same design as the recently updated Ridgeline. The new Honda Pilot will be far more appealing than the current model, which is rather plain.
Interior
We were able to test drive both the Pilot TrailSport and Elite variants. Both have pleasant interior materials and a new interior design that is reminiscent of the rest of Honda’s smaller cars, with a hint of the new Honda Civic.
The multimedia screen is mounted on top of the dashboard, rather than being more integrated into it, as with the Civic.
The Pilot isn’t the most opulent of this class’s members, but it won’t be a disappointment. The Telluride and the Palisade still have that honor.
For second and third-row passengers, the Pilot’s extra length is put to good use. The previous Pilot had a small third row that didn’t suit adults properly and couldn’t compete with bigger rivals.
This was a shortcoming of the model. Honda claims that second-row legroom has expanded by 2.4 inches, while third-row legroom has only expanded by 0.6 inches, although the third row benefits the most from these increases since it can slide back and forth.
After I set up the driver’s seat and moved up to a position where it was still comfortable and gave me enough space between my knees and the seatback, I could fit in the third row. I’m approximately 6 feet tall.
With three people in the third row, your legs lift up off the seat cushion, making it uncomfortable for long trips; however, for anything less than two hours, the third row may now accommodate two adults without you feeling bad.
With the exception of most three-row SUVs, you must pick between a seven-seat layout with captain’s chairs and an eight-seat layout with a bench seat, no ifs, and or buts.
Nonetheless, thanks to a foldaway second-row middle seat available on Touring and Elite versions, you may have both in the Pilot.
That way, if you happen to pick up another passenger and need a place to put them, the butt has a spot.
While not in use, the seat weighs 20-25 pounds and is stored in a bin beneath the rear cargo area. It can be moved and installed with relative ease.
What trims could the 2023 Honda Pilot offer?
For the next generation of the Pilot, we expect to see five trims, although Honda has yet to reveal an official trim. The following trims might be included:
- EX-L
- SE (Special Edition)
- Touring
- Elite
- Black Edition
The EX-L might be a nice value despite being the base trim. Based on this design, the SUV might feature some of the most beneficial and attractive features, including:
- Power-adjustable heated seats
- Leather upholstery
- Tri-zone climate control
Will the 2023 Pilot be a hybrid?
Despite the fact that Honda Pilot SUV buyers could choose from a hybrid variant, demand for such a variant has been dampened for now.
Honda will electrify the Pilot gradually, according to Top Electric SUV. We don’t expect to see a hybrid version of this three-row crossover until the 2023 model, but it’s possible.
Just a few examples of key competitors equipped with electrified powertrains include the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, and Kia Sorento.
We’re not sure what powertrain the potential 2023 Honda Pilot Hybrid would employ since the CR-V Hybrid technology may not be powerful enough to move a three-row SUV carrying people.
If the Honda CR-V Hybrid follows the typical formula, the new 2023 Honda Pilot Hybrid will balance its higher starting price against better mileage.
When will the 2023 Honda Pilot be released?
The new SUV, which will be offered as a 2023 model, is anticipated to hit showrooms in late 2022 as the fourth generation of the Pilot line.
The 2023 honda pilot redesign will have a more rugged design than the current one, as seen by our honda pilot spy photos, with softer lines that are more minivan than SUV.
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Pros and Cons for the 2023 Honda Pilot
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Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist and active safety features will almost certainly be standard on the upcoming Pilot, given how every new Honda is equipped with it.
That means a variety of features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams.
We don’t think Honda will let the Pilot pass the IIHS Top Safety Pick and NHTSA five-star rating, which it earned in previous years.
2023 Honda Pilot Release Date
The Honda Pilot 2023 doesn’t have a release date quite yet, despite the fact that Honda has already released multiple 2023 Pilot models. The Pilot, on the other hand, should arrive in showrooms in the late fall of 2022, according to Honda.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the Honda Pilot made?
The Pilot is Honda’s biggest SUV and is primarily intended for the North American market. The Pilot was produced in Alliston, Ontario until April 2007, and pilots are currently manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama. As a 2003 model, the initial generation Pilot was introduced in April 2002.
Will the 2023 Pilot be redesigned?
For the next 2023 model year, the Pilot will be completely reworked, with modern styling to suit the latest Honda vehicles, such as the smaller CR-V CUV and Civic compact car and hatchback. In the fall of 2022, we expect to see the manufacturing model, and in early 2023, we expect to see it on sale.
Which is bigger Honda Pilot or passport?
The passport is the size. In comparison to the Passport, the Pilot is larger. The Passport has a capacity of five passengers whereas the Pilot can accommodate up to eight. With the first row folded down, the two-row Honda Passport offers up to 100.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity and 114.9 cubic feet of passenger capacity.
What is the future of the Honda Passport?
For the 2019 model year, the midsize crossover was given a slight exterior refresh from the A-pillar forward, as well as a 2022 light exterior freshening. The Passport will be available for purchase this fall, with the same expiration date in 2023. A mild-hybrid powertrain might be included in its next redesign, which is scheduled for 2025.
The Final Verdict
The new 2023 Honda Pilot has a lot to offer. The new model meets important criteria for a three-row family crossover, with spacious, versatile, and comfortable features.
More importantly, like many Honda vehicles, it drives with amazing accuracy. The pilot’s age, on the other hand, was not kept secret. The model debuted in 2016 with stylized interiors and technical features.
As a result, a new pilot may be in development. However, it aims to maintain the positive quality of family SUVs while being more current and attractive.
In the last few years, the three-row SUV segment has progressed at a rapid pace, and by 2023, Honda hopes to improve its competitive position.
