Your 2023 Honda Pilot Buyer’s Guide

How do you improve on a classic? The designers and engineers at Honda were given that unenviable task for the 2023 Pilot, the start of the fourth generation in this line of popular midsize SUVs. This is the twentieth anniversary of the Honda Pilot, which first hit the roads here in 2003. Over the course of three generations of the Pilot, this model has evolved into a sporty, aerodynamic three-row SUV. This gives drivers the ability to fit up to eight passengers in the Pilot, making it one of the most versatile SUVs on the road today.

When coming up with the latest iteration, the designers made sure not to do the equivalent of painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. This is why the looks, performance, comfort, and styling all follow the most recent version, building on the reputation of the Pilot’s previous versions. If you are looking for a Honda Pilot for sale near Carrollton, then you should stop at our dealership. At Honda of Newnan, we carry the full lineup of Honda models, including the all-new 2023 Honda Pilot. Our friendly sales advisors know what drivers from Carrollton like you are looking for in an SUV and will be happy to help you find the right Pilot model for you.

New Looks for a New Generation of the Pilot

Once again, Honda has made a bold leap forward in the appearance of the Pilot. The latest version has a more aggressive front end, featuring a tough, upright grille offset by a pair of trapezoidal LED headlights and flared fenders. A pair of large, oblong windows have been added to the area between the third row of seats and the tailgate, providing increased light to the rear portions of this SUV.

Honda carries these looks into the interior of the Pilot, using high-quality materials to provide maximum comfort and utility. A number of the new models feature a one-touch power panoramic moonroof. This will allow more natural light into your Pilot’s cabin.

There are five different trims for the 2023 Pilot. The entry-level Sport model features a second-row 60/40 split bench seat, allowing you to seat up to eight passengers comfortably. The EX-L and TrailSport trims upgrade the interior to leather upholstery with a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row. This allows you to seat up to seven passengers in the Pilot. The Touring and Elite models feature a stowable middle seat in the second row that can be removed and stored in an ingenious compartment in the trunk. This is why these two trims can seat up to eight passengers like the Sport.

The cargo area has also been redesigned on the 2023 Pilot. Some models feature a power tailgate with Walkaway Close. This feature will automatically close the tailgate to the trunk when it senses that you have walked away from your Pilot. Even the cupholders in the passenger cabin have been expanded, with eight of them capable of holding a 32-ounce water bottle. This can come in handy on long drives, although you may find yourself needing to make more passenger pit stops.

Piloting Upgraded Performance

The Honda Pilot was already well known for its exceptional performance. With a V6 gas engine capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds, the Pilot is known for its versatility. So, what could Honda do to improve on this performance?

The first thing was to give the standard V6 engine a nice little boost. While the 2023 model of this Honda SUV carries over the 3.5-liter V6 gas engine from the prior year, it now delivers 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This is due in part to the new ten-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the nine-speed automatic transmission from the Pilot’s third generation. The second thing is a revamped version of the all-wheel drive system on the Pilot. This has increased the vehicle’s traction and stability without cutting back on speed and acceleration. The all-wheel drive comes standard on the TrailSport and Elite models and is available as an option on the Pilot Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims.

Honda has also made the Pilot TrailSport more off-road-ready. In addition to the standard all-wheel drive, this model also features the trail torque logic off-road system to assist with covering rocky terrain, an extra inch of ground clearance, and a set of steel skid plates to protect the TrailSport’s undercarriage. There is even a TrailWatch feature that allows you to watch a live feed of the terrain you are traversing on the infotainment system.

All 2023 Honda Pilot models feature a set of all-terrain tires, with the TrailSport receiving specialized off-road wheels. Honda also offers a new seven-mode drive system. This allows you to choose between various driving modes to improve performance for certain tasks. These include Sport mode for improved acceleration, Tow mode for trailering, and Trail modes for different road and off-road conditions.

Technology Pilots the Future

Technology has always powered the Honda Pilot. Whether it was safety or connectivity, Honda always sought to push the technological envelope, especially with the three-row Pilot. Part of this was marketing acumen, as the Pilot is an ideal vehicle for large families. Part of this was an understanding that if the technology works in the Pilot, it can be leveraged into other cars in the Honda lineup. This is why the Pilot remains the technological proving ground for Honda vehicles.

The 2023 Pilot returns with a full complement of Honda Sensing advanced safety features. Honda has always included more standard driver assistance features than many of its competitors. For example, blind-spot information is a standard feature on the 2023 Pilot, whereas other models in its vehicle class may make you pay extra to get this feature.

Not content to stay put, Honda is always striving to improve its vehicles. This is why it has taken the next step with safety, offering improvements to the Honda Sensing suite in the 2023 model. These improvements include a new wide-view camera with an improved radar system. This will enhance the already exceptional performance of the Honda Sensing driver assistance features.

Honda has also increased the technological performance of the Pilot’s infotainment system. The entry-level Sport trim gets a seven-inch touchscreen with physical knobs for tuning and volume. The other trims get a larger nine-inch color touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. This allows you to leave the annoying smartphone charger cables at home. Even so, Honda has wisely placed illuminated 2.5A USB-A and 3.0A USB-C ports throughout the Pilot’s cabin, so you and your passengers keep your devices charged throughout your ride. The Pilot EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite models also feature Qi-compatible wireless charging for one smartphone.

The Touring and Elite trims also include a twelve-speaker Bose premium audio system. This has been custom-engineered for the Pilot’s interior. This sound system features Bose Centerpoint technology, with SurroundStage digital processing and a 15.7-liter capacity subwoofer box. This Bose audio system provides ideal listening to whatever music you choose from any position within the Pilot’s cabin. This truly must be heard to be believed.

Honda Pilot Is a Classic SUV That Is Ready for the Future

The 2023 Honda Pilot builds on the success of this popular model. With more room, improved performance, and upgraded technology features, Honda has shown how to take a classic and make it even better. With the 2023 Pilot, Honda has shown a path to the future that doesn’t involve destroying a classic. Contact us today and see why you should make the 2023 Honda Pilot your choice for a three-row SUV!