Recently the Honda Pilot decided to become more rugged and robust with enhanced off-roading capabilities. The 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport was spotted during testing and seems to be handling off-roading changes extremely well. 

How capable is the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport? 

The 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport isn’t just playing dress-up. It’s delivering on its promise to become a rugged three-row family hauler that can tackle rough terrain. It takes things a bit further than the Honda Passport TrailSport. 

According to MotorTrend, the Passport TrailSport was spotted in the wild, dominating some rocky trails. The TrailSport is covered in camouflage, but you can still tell that it climbs over rocks and handles steep inclines without breaking a sweat. 

Honda shared that it’s the most rugged and capable Honda SUV ever, and it will be here soon to round out the year of the SUV. It will get you there and back, which is reassuring. We should learn more about it this fall once it debuts. 

What comes with the 2023 Pilot TrailSport? 

We’re still waiting to learn a little more about the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport. However, Honda gave us a few clues to mull over. Honda says the Pilot TrailSport is equipped to hit the trail running. 

It will come with standard all-wheel drive, steel skid plates, an off-road-tuned suspension, and expanded all-wheel drive system capabilities. The Pilot TrailSport has a 0.6-inch suspension lift and will probably ride on chunky all-terrain tires. 

The photos don’t seem to include tow hooks, but the upgrades go beyond what the Passport TrailSport offers. Perhaps it will include new off-roading modes for Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock. 

Also, the Pilot is being redesigned for 2023 and has a brand new look. Based on the teaser images, we can tell that the grille has a similar design to the Honda Ridgeline. The LED headlights also match. 

The rear end features new taillights too. Plus, the front and rear bumpers look larger and more confident. The TrailSport model is set apart with orange badging, and the interior features orange contrast stitching. 

Rumors about what expect with the new Pilot

The 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport expands the model lineup. Rumors suggest that it will be equipped with a new, more powerful V6 engine. The 2022 Pilot has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. 

When properly equipped, the Pilot can tow up to 5,000 lbs. It might get a little stronger. The 2022 model gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. 

The new engine could be more efficient. There are a few rumors about the Pilot going hybrid floating around. This makes us wonder if a PHEV powertrain is in the works. 

We know that the Honda Pilot has a new exterior design, and the interior will be revamped too. It could include a modern layout with higher quality materials. Also, it will get upgraded tech. It could get a larger infotainment screen, an upgraded digital gauge cluster, and a head-up display. 

The 2023 Honda Pilot debuts this fall, so we won’t have to wait much longer to learn more. Plus, the TrailSport model has been confirmed as a 2023 model.