2023 Honda Pilot Preview: Everything We Know So Far

If you’re in the market for a third-row SUV, the restyled 2023 Honda Pilot needs to be at the top of your list. This SUV offers an upscale cabin design with a spacious seating arrangement to make even the longest rides more enjoyable. Whether you need a vehicle that can handle the annual family road trip or nightly runs between school and various extracurricular activities, the 2023 Honda Pilot offers plenty of cargo and passenger comfort. The Pilot is getting a significant makeover for the 2023 model year, so what can we expect from the redesigned 2023 Honda Pilot?

2023 Honda Pilot Trims

Image used with permission via Honda News

According to Car and Driver, there will be five trims available for the 2023 Honda Pilot: EX, EX-L, Trailsport, Touring, and Elite. Spy shots of the latest design reveal a sharply styled SUV with a large straightforward grille, vertical vents in the bumper, and thin headlights. The new Pilot will also be more sporty-looking, with a larger roof spoiler and a full-width taillight element. The Trailsport should continue to feature a more rugged appearance as the off-road-ready option.

The 2023 Pilot may also take some styling cues from the Honda Ridgeline, offering a more confident and bolder look. After seeing spy shots of the 2023 Honda Pilot, drivers can’t wait to see what’s under the camouflage.

Power and Performance

Honda hasn’t commented on whether they plan to update the engine, so it’s expected that the 2023 Pilot will use the same 3.6-liter V-6 as the 2022 model. The engine is currently paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission to deliver 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Drivers everywhere are also wondering if the engine will turn out to be a self-charging or plug-in hybrid assembly as the auto world moves toward being greener.

Rumor has it that the latest Pilot will use the same platform as the Acura MDX, providing a sportier performance. This platform should also be paired with Honda’s torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. If Honda models the Pilot after the MDX, it may also use the MDX’s engine. In that case, the 3.5-liter V-6 would produce 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, slightly higher than the 2022 Pilot’s V-6. Regardless of the engine, the 2023 Pilot should still be able to haul up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Off-Road-Ready Trailsport Trim

The Trailsport is rumored to be the most capable and high-riding vehicle available, featuring many performance-enhancing features to improve the driving experience on and off the road. Speculations include the addition of skid plates and a suspension lift kit along with all-terrain tires and a better suspension for better off-road ride quality. A locking differential and drive select modes designed explicitly for off-roading are also possibilities for the 2023 Honda Pilot Trailsport.

Interior Design

The 2023 Honda Pilot will likely include updated technology features and higher-quality materials. Larger touch screens are becoming more common in today’s vehicles, and the Pilot should follow suit. It’s believed that the latest Pilot will take interior styling cues from the Civic, CR-V, and HR-V, making the cabin more futuristic and appealing. The Pilot may also have a third row with more room for adults to compete with others in its class.

Anticipated MSRPs

Based on the MSRP of the 2022 Honda Pilot and the upgrades that are expected, Car and Driver speculates that the MSRPs will be around:

• EX: $40,000.
• EX-L: $42,000.
• Trailsport: $46,000.
• Touring: $48,000.
• Elite: $52,000.

Favorite Features Of the 2022 Honda Pilot

A redesign doesn’t have to mean that the favorite features of the 2022 Honda Pilot get left behind. The features that drivers would like to see on the latest Pilot include the tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated front seats, leather upholstery, and driver’s seat memory settings at the base level. Standard features, such as heated outside mirrors and a power liftgate, would also be welcome on the base trim. Standard safety and driver-assistance features should include the advanced airbag system, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision mitigation, lane-keeping system, and blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

With today’s technology, a Wi-Fi hotspot, 115-volt household-style outlet, wireless charging pad, rear entertainment system, navigation system, and USB ports should carry over into the 2023 Pilot. Heated second-row seats, ambient interior lighting, a cabin intercom system, ventilated front seats, a hands-free power liftgate, and a heated steering wheel have become features drivers prefer on the Pilot. Available driver-assistance features that are highly sought after include the parking sensors found on the 2022 Touring trim.

Features Drivers Want To See

Technology features are all the rave with today’s drivers, so it only makes sense that they’d make the 2023 Honda Pilot even more appealing. These features include a larger touch screen, HD radio, HD backup camera, digital rearview mirror, 360-degree surround-view camera, blind-spot camera, and a head-up display. Adding lumbar support and a massaging feature to the front seats would also be appreciated in the new Pilot.

When To Expect the 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Honda Pilot is slated to debut in late fall 2022, with sales starting in early 2023. Until then, drivers everywhere will have to patiently wait to discover all the details of the redesign, from fuel economy to safety and driver-assistance features. One thing is certain; the latest Honda Pilot has the auto world abuzz with anticipation for unveiling what’s expected to be a top pick for midsize three-row SUVs. The teaser photo shared by Honda has only increased the anticipation factor.

If you’d like to receive updates on the release date or learn more about the new Pilot, contact the team at Ike Honda. We’d love to answer your questions, show you around the dealership, or set you up for a test drive. You can find us at 4407 W. DeYoung St. in Marion, Illinois, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Call us at 618-422-9020 or complete our secure online contact form to get started today.