2023 Honda Pilot

　　

2023 Honda Pilot Review

byClint SimoneSenior Reviews Editor

　　Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining zzdcar as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.

　　, rating written byClint SimoneSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　With its exceptional levels of road and seat comfort, upscale cabin design, and useful storage areas, the third-generation Honda Pilot immediately became our favorite three-row crossover SUV when it debuted in 2016. But the years hence have seen the Kia Telluride (and its mechanical twin, the Hyundai Palisade) usurped the Honda to claim the crown as their own. So what's a deposed ruler to do? Rally the troops and get better, and that's what we see in the fully redesigned 2023 Honda Pilot.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$169/mo  for Pilot LX

　　Pilot LX

　　LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $35,950 MSRPLX 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $38,050 MSRPSport 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $39,150 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $41,250 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $41,950 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $42,250 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $44,050 MSRPEX-L 4dr SUV AWD w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $44,350 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $46,450 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $48,550 MSRPTrailSport 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) - $48,350 MSRPElite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 10A) (Most Popular) - $52,030 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Many of the Pilot's updates occur to attributes that we thought the old Pilot needed to make improvements to. Honda stretched out the wheelbase (the space between the front and rear wheels) and overall length to open up more passenger room, particularly in the second and third rows to make them more accommodating for adults and bulky child safety seats. New styling inside and out helps to modernize the Pilot and make it feel more rugged and less curvy. And in an effort to inject some excitement into what was a very competent (but also slightly boring lineup), there's a new Pilot TrailSport that dials in some real off-road upgrades.

　　Overall, we think the 2023 Pilot is a worthwhile choice for a three-row crossover SUV. But it also has some drawbacks that might make the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-90 or Volkswagen Atlas a better choice. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Pilot drive? Driving the Pilot is a mixed bag. The V6 sounds snarly when you step on the gas, but actual acceleration is only average. At the zzdcar test track, our Pilot TrailSport test vehicle managed the 0-60 mph run in 7.8 seconds. The transmission is overly busy, especially around town. That can also make the Pilot feel overly eager and sensitive to gas pedal inputs when accelerating from a stop. Braking is smooth, but the pedal is soft and numb, and we found the Pilot's emergency stopping distances to be longer than average.

　　For adventurous families, the Pilot TrailSport is one of the more capable three-row crossovers for light off-road duty thanks to its extra ground clearance. The all-wheel-drive system is another upside. In addition to the expected boost in traction for icy or snowy roads, it can also redistribute the V6's power to make the Pilot considerably more nimble around turns. However, the steering is light and lacks feel, and it provides no real sense of what's going on with the road.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Pilot? The front seats and optional second-row captain's chairs are pleasantly soft without giving up support. The front seats lack the level of adjustability some competitors offer, so not everybody will get the most comfort out of them. The Pilot's suspension smooths out most bumps with ease, but certain types of uneven pavement can still feel sharp and a bit loud in the cabin.

　　On the whole, wind, road and engine noise is low but the cabin isn't quite as quiet as top-rated competitors like the Kia Telluride. The climate system is simple to adjust and powerful enough for the large cabin. All three rows get vents, but vent placement for the second and third rows isn't optimal. Third-row vents in particular are placed by the armrests, so adults will get airflow to their hands.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below