The 2023 Honda Pilot AWD TrailSport SUV
What is a Pilot? A Pilot is a midsize 3 row SUV built in the Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant and sold in North America by Honda. This all new 2023 Pilot has been improved from the front grille to the rear tailgate, and everything in between. The new Pilot’s styling is boxier, and more truck like, which gives it a more rugged overall appearance, with a new engine and transmission that actually makes it run and drive a lot smoother.
The Pilot drive line has a 3.5L liter V/6 gas engine with variable cylinder management, bolted to a 10 speed automatic transmission, routed into a full time all wheel drive (AWD) traction control system. The Pilot has an integrated drive mode select feature that provides settings for every driving condition, that include normal, econ, sport, snow, tow, trail and sand. It has hill start assist and hill descent control for that perfect traction on any surface that you might find yourself driving on road or off road at any time.
The 2023 Honda Pilot is longer and taller than the 2022 edition. It gained about four inches of exterior length, measuring 199.9 inches long compared to 2022’s 196.5 inches. It’s also taller, at 71 inches, compared to 2022’s 70.6 inches. The new 2023 Honda Pilot is bigger on the inside too, with more legroom, more headroom and more rear cargo room.
To prove that point, this week Honda sent me a 2023 Pilot AWD SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this TrailSport Edition is $48,700. The only option on the test SUV is the special Sky Blue paint charge for $455. The manufactures suggested retail price (MSRP), including the $1,345 destination charge, is: $50,500.
