FIRST LOOK! All-new 2023 Honda Pilot is Big AND Bold

The Honda Pilot is undoubtedly one of the most popular SUVs that money can buy. Few vehicles offer the space and utility of the Pilot at such an affordable price point. So, when Honda unveils a new generation of the Pilot, people pay attention. We recently went to the LA auto show to go check out the all-new 2023 Honda Pilot in person. Does it live up to its big family name? Keep reading to find out!

Trims

Sport -> EX-L -> Touring -> TrailSport -> Elite

Exterior Design and Features

The exterior design has been completely overhauled for the 2023 Pilot, but it continues to build upon and carry its long-lasting heritage. The introduction of a more squared off grille and more rugged lines really gives the Pilot a bold new look. There will definitely be some design and color variations based on which one of the six trim levels you opt for. The TrailSport also comes with a skid plate in the event you do actually take it off-road. Full LED headlights with an LED daytime running light will be standard in a new design. The mirrors should come standard with heating and Blind Spot Monitoring and will either be body colored or black. For the wheels, a variety of designs are offered, with 18-inch alloy wheels all the way up to 20-in alloys.

The side design of the Pilot has also seen a redesign, where it has been extended by 3.4-inches overall. The Pilot reintroduces a more boxy design as seen in some older Pilot generations and adds to its bold nature. The changes continue around to the rear of the vehicle, where Honda has implemented similar design changes as they did to the front. The LED taillights have been completely redesigned are connected by a rear trim piece that changes color depending on trim. The lower fascia has also seen some changes, and it doesn’t seem like we will have any exposed exhausts.

 Honda continues to offer all of its standard safety systems with the Honda Sensing Suite:

• Forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, auto high beams, and adaptive cruise control

Paired with these safety features will be a Basic and Powertrain warranty, of which we are unsure to its extent yet.

Interior Design and Features

The changes don’t stop once you get to the interior of this all-new Pilot. As seen in many of the recently unveiled Honda products, there is a new and classy interior design to replace that of the outgoing generation. We assume smart entry and push button start will be standard on all of the trims. When it comes to interior materials, cloth of varying designs and colors will be available on the base Sport trim, while every other trim will have leather. We assume that memory seats will be available along with power seats on many of the trims.

Heading away from the seats you will find the new 7-inch digital gauge cluster as standard, with an exclusive 10.2-inch cluster on the Elite. All Pilot buyers will be pleased to have either a 7 or 9-inch display in the center of their cabin, much improved from the outgoing model. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard no matter what screen, as well as a back-up camera.

Other features we were pleased to find in the Pilot are a 12-speaker Bose Audio system and wireless charging.

Rear Seat and Cargo

When it comes to rear amenities, we know that USBs should be standard. The Pilot has always been a class leader on rear legroom, and we assume that will stay the same for this new generation. There are 7 and 8 passenger options for the Pilot available, including a second-row middle seat that can be stowed under the floor to further increase cargo capacity. The third row should prove spacious as well, with official leg and head room figures soon to come. Another reward of the Pilot’s jump in length comes in the cargo department, where it offers a leading 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum cargo space of 113.67 cubic feet.

Powertrain and Driving Impressions

The Pilot does not yet have a hybrid powertrain option, though one should be coming out in the near future. The only powertrain for the Pilot offer is:

• 3.5L V6: 285 hp | 262 lb.ft.

A 10-speed automatic with standard paddles will be the standard transmission. We reckon the fuel economy will be even better than the outgoing generation as well.

As for a test drive, we have yet to have full access to an actual model to drive. But stay tuned to the Car Confections YouTube channel and website for our driving impressions!

Pricing

Honda has recently released the pricing of the all-new 2023 Honda Pilot. Look at the table below to see what trim and specification fits your budget!

We were quite impressed to see just how much value Honda was able to put into this new Pilot, and we can’t wait to get one back here at home to take it out for a drive! This Pilot seems like a winner for us!

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.