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One of the most popular midsize SUVs around is the Honda Pilot. The new model year is gaining a lot of attention for a few reasons. What’s so great about the 2023 Honda Pilot? It’s kicking off the fourth generation of three-row SUV Pilot models with a few new things that some reviewers think are worth writing home about. Does this full Pilot redesign make the SUV worth buying more than ever before? What’s so great about the 2023 Honda Pilot?

The redesigned Honda Pilot is coming for the Kia Telluride

2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport off-roading, does the midsize three-row SUV really look that much better?
2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport | Honda

As Edmunds put it, the third-generation Honda Pilot was king for a long time. It had exceptional levels of comfort, an upscale interior, ample storage, and everything else three-row SUV buyers needed. However, the Telluride has usurped the Pilot as king of the class in recent years. Now, the fourth-generation 2023 Honda Pilot is the automaker’s answer to that problem. Edmunds says most of the upgrades are applied exactly where the previous model year required improvements.

For example, Honda stretched out the wheelbase, making the length of the vehicle longer than ever before. Therefore, the interior is also more spacious than ever before. Second- and third-row seats are more spacious and good for comfortably fitting more than just small children. Additionally, the exterior design is more rugged, less curvy, and overall more modern. Speaking of rugged, the brand-new TrailSport model is built for off-roading.

2023 Honda Pilot has a new engine

A 2022 honda pilot driving near a beach. It got a redesign for the new model year.
2022 Honda Pilot | Honda

Once again, the base 2023 Honda Pilot has a 3.5-liter V6 under the hood. However, the automaker claims the midsize three-row SUV is now using an entirely new version. It now produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, just five hp more than the previous model year. Additionally, the Pilot now uses a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the nine-speed from gen-three.

What is the Pilot TrailSport?

What is the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport? It’s a model intended for off-road use, but can it really tackle off-road challenges? Edmunds says the Pilot is well-equipped for off-roading, despite being a family SUV. It’s got a 1-inch suspension lift for more ground clearance and wheel travel compared to other trims. Next, it has three skid plates to protect the engine, fuel tank, and the vehicle’s rear. Next, the TrailSport’s AWD system has its own tuning to allow a wheel that’s in the air or without traction to still access torque so it can get right back into the swing of things once traction is under control.

The TrailSport model gets 18-inch wheels and a TrailSport logo on the wheel itself. Of course, the off-road Pilot also comes with standard all-terrain tires. Finally, a TrailWatch camera system shows front and side views at speeds under 15 mph so drivers can more carefully corner and move over rocks and trails.

Is this the best Honda Pilot ever?

In conclusion, the 2023 Honda Pilot might be the best version ever released. Entering its fourth generation, the midsize three-row SUV is now more spacious thanks to a longer wheelbase, more powerful thanks to a new V6 engine, and more capable thanks to the off-road-oriented TrailSport trim. Combined, these things fix many of the problems people had with the last generation of Pilots. Do you think this new model year will be the best Honda Pilot ever built?

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2023 Honda Pilot: What We Know So Far – Three Rows of Family SUV Pleasure

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Section Editor - SUVs

Tim Harding

Having spent half a decade managing the reconditioning and marketing processes for upwards of 400 vehicles monthly, Tim is no stranger to the automotive industry. He has a deep understanding of the many different types of vehicles on the road today and brings to the table valuable insight into the industry itself.

Tim earned an Associate’s in English and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a Marketing specialization from Ashford University. Tim joined MotorBiscuit as an Autos Writer in 2021, and his work can also be seen at Gamepur, Overtime Heroics, and Pro Game Guides.

Tim is most inspired by the constantly changing automotive industry. He looks forward to a future when cars, particularly electric vehicles, look and operate completely differently than they do today. Tim’s content draws on this inspiration while also providing MotorBiscuit readers with useful consumer advice.