Is the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite Really Worth Over $52K?
The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite is the final 2023 Honda Pilot midsize SUV trim. It starts at over $52,000. Is the Honda Pilot Elite worth the money, or is there a better alternative on the market?
The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite is pretty pricey
The Honda Pilot Elite starts at $52,030. That’s $12,880 more than the base model Pilot Sport trim. The question is, does the Pilot Elite provide adequate value for that high price? Let’s break down the specs and standard features.
The Honda Pilot Elite comes standard with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as lower Pilot trim levels. It makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The midsize SUV achieves 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite includes standard leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic roof with a moonroof. It also comes with heated second-row captain’s chairs, a wireless phone charger, and smart entry with walk-away auto-lock. The Honda Pilot Elite features parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and hill-descent control.
Honda’s fully loaded midsize SUV offers plenty of great standard features that improve its overall ownership experience. It’s comfortable and chock full of great tech. That being said, there are better midsize SUVs for the money.
What are the best midsize SUVs on the market?
The 2023 Kia Telluride is currently considered the best midsize SUV on the market by most major automotive publications. Consumers may disagree, but experts have given the Telluride sky-high ratings after testing several other popular midsize SUVs.
The Telluride’s final trim is the Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro (that’s a mouthful). The 2023 Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro comes standard with 12.3-inch dual panoramic displays with navigation, all-wheel drive, and a blind-spot view monitor. It also includes a Head-up display, digital key, and Nappa leather seat trim.
The 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro starts at $52,785, so it’s within the same price range as the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite. It uses a 3.8-liter V6 engine to make 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Kia Telluride final trim with all-wheel drive gets about 21 miles per gallon combined. The Telluride final trim level is a better buy than the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite because it offers more luxurious creature comforts and standard features.
Should you get a 2023 Kia Telluride?
The 2023 Kia Telluride is praised for its luxury-esque design, comfortable cabin, and great value proposition. Edmunds claims the Telluride is roomy, comes with great driver assistance and safety features, and has a smooth ride.
If you’re looking for a great new midsize SUV, the Telluride is certainly worth consideration. Other honorable mentions include the Telluride’s cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, the Chevrolet Traverse, and Honda Passport.
Car and Driver calls the 2023 Pilot EX-L the best new Honda Pilot trim for the money. So, while the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite comes with some desirable standard features, it isn’t worth its price tag for most drivers.
