What Features Does the 2023 Honda Pilot Have?

March 10th, 2023 by

A blue 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport is shown driving down a trail.

Each time an automaker comes out with a new generation of a popular model, motorists start wanting to find out the specifications of the new model. They need to know what has been added. They also want to know how it will perform. Conversely, those who like the earlier generation’s model are concerned about what has been changed. If you are looking for a Honda Pilot for sale, you are definitely going to want to know how the 2023 Pilot stacks up to prior models. This is the fourth generation of Honda’s popular three-row, midsize SUV. As a result, folks are going to be considering the major changes to the Pilot, including the features that Honda has equipped with this version.

Since it was introduced in 2003, the Pilot has given drivers the roomy interior they need, especially if they have a large family. In addition, there is plenty of trunk space in the Pilot, which can come in handy whether you are bringing home groceries or supplies or taking your kids to school and need room for their book bags and supplies. The Pilot has evolved over the years, with plenty of safety and technology features. The 2023 model represents the most advanced model to date. At Gwinnett Place Honda, we are proud to offer the 2023 Pilot.

A New Look for the Rugged Pilot

The first thing you are going to notice about the 2023 Pilot is its aggressive looks. This is a major departure from the prior generation, which was very sloping and resembled the crossover Honda CR-V model. The 2023 Pilot harkens back to the first two generations of this midsize SUV. It has a more muscular and rugged look, which makes it resemble some of the tougher, purpose-built, off-road models. This is in contrast to the third-generation model, which looked more at home on a suburban street than on an off-road trail.

The other thing about the new Pilot is that it is larger and roomier than last year’s model. This translates into a three-row SUV that can actually seat up to eight passengers. In addition, the center seat in the second row is removable with a storage space in the trunk, converting this to a more accessible seven-seat SUV. This versatility comes in handy for many passengers who may have difficulty accessing the third row of seats by climbing over a folded-down second-row seat.

Piloting You Through Your Daily Life

The 2023 Honda Pilot features a standard powertrain across all models. The engine is a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine with a dual overhead camshaft design. There are 24 valves feeding the engine’s six cylinders, with a die-cast lightweight aluminum alloy engine block and cast-in-place iron cylinder liners. It utilizes a variable cylinder management system to improve fuel efficiency. The engine features a new higher-pressure multistage direct fuel injection to deliver 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This is an improvement over the third-generation Pilot’s engine output.

Honda has paired this engine with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This includes a set of paddle shifters, so you can emulate manual performance without the hassle of working a clutch. Honda has specially designed the transmission for the Pilot, and there is an all-new torque converter to improve smoothness and efficiency in performance.

This combination of engine and transmission has given the Pilot exceptional performance. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 115 miles per hour, which is enough acceleration to allow you to merge onto a busy highway during rush hour. In addition, the 2023 Honda Pilot is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Honda gives you a choice of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive on the 2023 Pilot. This is in keeping with prior models of this SUV. The all-wheel drive is a torque vectoring i-VTM4 system. This has been designed to provide 40% more torque than the all-wheel drive on the prior version of the all-wheel drive Pilot. This should help you hold the road, providing optimal traction in all driving conditions. There is even a new TrailSport edition, which is designed for drivers who plan to take their Pilot out on off-road trails.

Depending on which drivetrain you choose, you should get solid fuel economy from your 2023 Pilot. For example, front-wheel drive models will give you an EPA-estimated 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.[a] Models with all-wheel drive provide slightly less gas mileage but still an acceptable EPA-estimated 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.[a]

A close up shows the infotainment screen in a 2023 Honda Pilot for sale.

Infotainment for the Modern Pilot

While many other automakers have chosen to go bigger with their infotainment systems, Honda has decided to improve the one on the Pilot. The base model LX and Sport have a seven-inch touchscreen, while the upper-level trims have one that is nine inches in size. However, the nine-inch touchscreen has been slightly recessed, allowing you easier access to scroll through the options while providing a finger rest, something that you don’t find on other brands.

Depending on which trim level you choose on the 2023 Pilot, you get different features on the infotainment system. The Pilot LX and Sport feature a seven-speaker audio system with an eight-inch subwoofer located in the trunk. It also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can easily stream your favorite music and make hands-free calls and texts.

The upper-level trims provide wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can leave the annoying charging cables at home. It also has a faster processor to provide for improved performance. There is even Wi-Fi hotspot capability on this system. The EX-L and TrailSport trims come with a nine-speaker audio system, while the Pilot Touring and Elite models have a Bose premium sound system with 12 high-performance Bose speakers positioned throughout the vehicle’s interior. These two models also have a navigation system that features a 3D graphic mode. All four trims also have a Qi-compatible wireless charger that will keep everyone’s smartphones charged.

Safety Is the Name of the Pilot Game

Honda has built its reputation on making safe vehicles. The 2023 Honda Pilot is no exception, which is why this model has been a top choice for many suburban family drivers. The 2023 model comes equipped with the Honda Sensing Suite, a group of standard safety and driver assistance features.

One of the most common causes of highway accidents is driver distraction. When this happens, the vehicle can drift out of the lane and collide with another car. Honda helps you avoid this with its Lane Keeping Assist System. If your Pilot begins to drift out of lane, an alarm will sound, alerting you to take action. In addition, the system will use a series of slight steering adjustments to get you safely back in your lane, avoiding a crash. The Road Departure Mitigation System works in a similar way but kicks in if you begin to leave the road. It will use slight steering and braking to either get you back on the road or bring your Pilot to a safe stop.

Sometimes, an accident can occur if another vehicle or someone on foot or riding a bicycle enters the path of your vehicle. The 2023 Honda Pilot has you prepared for just such a situation. The Collision Mitigation Braking System will automatically apply the brakes if it detects a vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist about to cross in front of your Pilot. This will either help you avoid a collision or, if a crash is unavoidable, reduce the impact to you and the other person. This will help mitigate the damages caused by a collision.

A grey 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport is shown near a family and a lake.

Honda Steers a Pilot for a New Generation

The 2023 Honda Pilot does something that many didn’t think possible. It took the successful third-generation Pilot model and improved upon it. The 2023 Pilot is the first model of the fourth generation of Honda’s exceptional three-row midsize SUV. It provides more room inside its rugged good looks, with improved performance as the result of a new engine and transmission. The new Pilot also builds on the existing infotainment system through enhanced technology while providing a set of standard driver assistance features that will help you and your family get wherever you are going safely. Stop by Gwinnett Place Honda today and see why you should make the 2023 Honda Pilot your next SUV.


[a] 19 city/27 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD trims. 19 city/25 highway/21 combined mpg rating for non-TrailSport AWD trims. 18 city/23 highway/20 combined mpg rating for TrailSport. Based on 2023 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.