Rivals should be officially worried about the new Honda Pilot. This family SUV has transformed into an entirely different beast with all the familiar Honda qualities you love and much-needed improvements. But a few 2023 Honda Pilot aspects could still be improved. 

2023 Honda Pilot pros and cons 

The 2023 Honda Pilot isn’t the SUV you used to know. It was redesigned for 2023 to kick off the fourth generation and includes tons of improvements. For example, it has more power, space, and modern tech. 

This SUV understood the assignment and became an attractive family hauler to battle the Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-90, Toyota Highlander, etc. Plus, the Honda Pilot TrailSport has rugged upgrades to tackle the wild during family adventures. 

During our week with the Pilot, we discovered tons of features that we like and a few things that could be better. 

1. PRO: The Honda Pilot has plenty of cargo space 

Small item storage in the 2023 Honda Pilot is phenomenal. There are tons of trays and cubbies up front to store your keys, wallet, chapstick, etc. The Nintendo Switch fits on the built-in shelf in front of the passenger seat. 

The front doors have two different cargo shelves, the glove box is generous, the seat pockets are deep, and cup holders are everywhere. 

When properly equipped, the 2023 Pilot can tow up to 5,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,340 lbs. You can access up to 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 87.0 cubes in total. Plus, there’s a storage bin under the cargo floor. 

2. PRO: The 2023 Pilot is loaded for families 

The 2023 Honda Pilot really took family needs into consideration to keep the entire pack happy and comfortable. A rear-view mirror pops out near the sunglasses holder, allowing you to see what your kids are up to in the second and third rows at a glance. 

A cabin talk intercom system allows you and passengers to easily converse without yelling. Plus, each row has air vents for fresh air, and USB ports are everywhere to keep phones, tablets, and gaming devices fully juiced. 

The second row has enough space for adults to sit comfortably, and the seating position can be adjusted. The second-row seats don’t slide forward or back in the Toyota Sequoia. Also, the seats are easy to fold flat. 

Plus, the third row is large enough for shorter adults. At 5’1″ I had plenty of space to relax back there. These seats are also easy to fold flat. 

3. PRO: The Pilot is intuitive 

Everything about the 2023 Honda Pilot is straightforward. You can easily adjust vehicle settings, and the infotainment system doesn’t include complicated extra steps. Connecting phones is a breeze! 

Buttons to adjust the driving modes, comfort settings, towing features, and navigation are clearly labeled and placed within reach. 

Figuring out how to adjust the seats and fold down the back rows takes no time. You can really hit the pavement running. 

Plus, the Pilot has an impressive 18.85-foot turning radius, making it quick and easy to maneuver in crowded downtown or wooded areas. It doesn’t feel as big as it is. 

1. CON: The 2023 Honda Pilot is thirsty 

The 2023 Honda Pilot doesn’t have the best fuel economy. It gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. That sounds pretty good, but we didn’t get more than about 19.5 mpg. 

Of course, our TrailSport model is equipped with larger tires, AWD, and heavier off-roading equipment that could impact fuel usage. A model without AWD and other upgrades might do better. We could’ve spent more time in Eco Mode as well. 

For comparison’s sake, the Toyota Sequoia gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and up to 24 mpg on the highway, and the Kia Telluride gets 18 mg in the city and up to 24 mpg on the highway. So, the Pilot is on par with most rivals. 

2. CON: The Pilot could use better resolution 

The tech and infotainment screen in the 2023 Honda Pilot are great. The graphics look good, and the systems work quickly. However, the camera resolutions could be better. The rear-view and off-roading views look pixelated. 

Also, the field of vision is narrow, making you feel closer to objects than you actually are. The reverse guide extends to both edges of the screen. It takes some getting used to. 

We’re still processing our thoughts about the 2023 Honda Pilot and will have more to say. Stay tuned for the full review.