The 2023 Honda Pilot gets a complete makeover this year. This refined 3-row SUV gets more power, more interior room, and an off-road-capable TrailSport trim sure to please outdoor enthusiasts.
The Pilot offers six well-equipped trims, all powered by the same 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. Power flows through a new 10-speed automatic transmission as it travels to the front wheels or all four. Two-wheel-drive (2WD) models can tow up to 3,500 pounds, while all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations max out at 5,000 pounds.
The new Pilot touts Honda’s best safety and convenience features, helping it catch up to a highly competitive field of newer SUVs like the Hyundai Palisade, Subaru Ascent, and Kia Telluride, all of which have a lower starting price than the new Pilot. The same applies to the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, and Toyota Highlander, with the Ford and Toyota also offering a hybrid powertrain option.
Pilot LX
Starts at $35,950 | See listings
- 3.5-liter V6 with 285 horsepower
- Front-drive or all-wheel drive
- Hill-descent control
- 7-speaker audio system
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Adaptive cruise control
- USB ports in both rows
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- See more
Pilot Sport
Starts at $39,150 | See listings
- Front-drive or all-wheel drive
- Heated front seats
- Power driver’s seat
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- LED headlights and fog lights
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Roof rails
- See more
Pilot EX-L
Starts at $41,950 | See listings
- Leather upholstery
- Power front seats with heat
- Memory for driver’s seat
- Power tailgate
- Parking sensors
- Wireless smartphone charger
- 9-speaker audio system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- USB ports in first and second rows
- See more
Pilot TrailSport
Starts at $48,350 | See listings
- AWD-only
- All-terrain tires
- Trail and Sand driving modes
- TrailWatch off-road camera
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Synthetic leather upholstery with orange stitching
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Panoramic roof with moonroof
- 9-speaker audio system
- 9-inch touchscreen
- USB ports in all three rows
- See more
Pilot Touring
Starts at $46,450 | See listings
- Leather upholstery
- Hands-free power tailgate
- 12-speaker Bose audio
- Navigation
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- See more
Pilot Elite
Starts at $52,030 | See listings
- 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster
- AWD-only
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row captain’s chairs
- Head-up display
- Multi-zone audio
- LED door trim lighting
- See more
2023 Honda Pilot LX: $35,950 (FWD), $38,050 (AWD)
The entry-level LX trim starts just under $36,000.
The equipment roster begins with Honda Sensing, a generous grouping of high-tech features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning with assist.
Also in the mix are adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. Traffic Jam Assist helps keep the Pilot in its lane when driving in congested traffic at speeds below 45 mph.
Standard safety features include full airbag coverage, including front passenger knee and three-row side curtain airbags. A rearview monitor, tire pressure monitor, and a rear seat reminder are also standard.
The LX rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels and features auto on/off LED headlights, variable intermittent front wipers, rear privacy glass, and a rear wiper/washer.
The Smart Entry key fob signals the doors to lock or unlock whenever the front door handles or tailgate are touched. Once inside, one needs only push a button to start the engine. The fob also contains a remote start feature.
The LX cabin is handsome, but minimal, with manually-adjustable front seats, cloth upholstery, one-touch fold-flat second-row seats, and a 60/40 flat-folding third-row seat.
LX owners enjoy dual-zone automatic climate control, auto up/down power windows, sliding sun visors, LED interior lighting, and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. A tilt/telescoping steering wheel contains Bluetooth, cruise, and audio controls.
A 240-watt 7-speaker audio system accompanies a 7-inch touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and select HondaLink services.
Additional features worth mentioning include a push-button transmission gear selector, four USB charge ports (one Type-A and one Type-C in front and two Type-A in the second row), a hidden storage well beneath the rear cargo floor, and Integrated Drive Modes for Normal, Econ, Snow, and Tow.
With the $1,345 delivery fee, the 2023 Honda Pilot LX costs $37,295. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $704. See 2023 Honda Pilot LX models for sale near you
2023 Honda Pilot LX includes:
- Honda Sensing – This impressive suite of standard driver assists goes the extra mile in keeping everyone onboard safe.
- Smart Entry – With Smart Entry, you need only have the key fob on your person to unlock the doors and tailgate.
- Automatic high-beams – In low light situations, the Pilot’s high beams automatically illuminate, but dim when traffic approaches.
2023 Honda Pilot Sport: $39,150 (FWD), $41,150 (AWD)
Building off the LX, the Sport adds more feature, such as a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic detection. The Integrated Drive Mode system gains a Sport setting.
The Sport rides on 20-inch Shark Gray alloy wheels and features LED fog lights, gloss black roof rails, and dual chrome exhaust outlets.
Moving to the cabin reveals a 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support and a 4-way power passenger seat. Both front seats are heated.
Notable amenities include a leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel and tri-zone automatic climate control.
There are no factory options for the Sport, typical of Honda. You’ll need to climb the trim ladder if you want features like heated side mirrors, SiriusXM satellite radio, and leather seats.
With the $1,345 delivery fee, the 2023 Honda Pilot Sport costs $40,495. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $764. See 2023 Honda Pilot Sport models for sale near you
2023 Honda Pilot Sport includes:
- Power front seats – The driver enjoys a 10-way power seat with power lumbar, while the passenger gets a less articulate 4-way power seat, both heated.
- Tri-zone climate control – Allows passengers to select the proper heating and cooling temperature in all three rows.
- Blind-spot monitor – This system monitors adjacent lanes and alerts the driver when a vehicle is riding in the blind spot.
2023 Honda Pilot EX-L: $41,950 (FWD), $43,950 (AWD)
The Pilot EX-L offers a few more features than the Sport and rolls on smaller 18-inch wheels, which means taller tire sidewalls and a softer ride. EX-L buyers have the option of second-row captain’s chair seating, which reduces overall passenger capacity from eight to seven.
The EX-L loses the Sport’s roof rails and dual chrome exhaust outlets but gains heated side mirrors with reverse tilt down and memory, a power liftgate, and an acoustic windshield.
Additional safety systems include front and rear parking sensors and low-speed braking control.
The EX-L’s cabin upgrades to leather upholstery and adds second-row climate controls, driver’s seat memory, a conversation mirror, integrated second-row sunshades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a compass, and HomeLink.
The EX-L’s infotainment touchscreen expands to nine inches. It features a wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and CabinTalk, an in-car intercom that lets the driver communicate with rear-seat passengers via the car’s speakers.
A 9-speaker audio system with a powered subwoofer, third-row USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a cargo area 12-volt outlet complete the EX-L’s upgrades.
EX-L AWD trims add a Trail and Sand setting to the Drive Modes.
With the $1,345 delivery fee, the 2023 Honda Pilot EX-L costs $43,295. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $817. See 2023 Honda Pilot EX-L models for sale near you
2023 Honda Pilot EX-L includes:
- Leather seats – Soft and easy-to-clean leather seat upholstery gives the EX-L a more luxurious look.
- Power liftgate – The EX-L’s programable power liftgate makes it easy to access the cargo bay when your hands are full.
- Low-speed brake control – This system uses the front and rear parking sensors to warn of a potential collision and can bring the Pilot to a complete stop should the driver fail to respond.
2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport: $48,350
The TrailSport marks a departure from Honda’s usually reserved approach to family transportation. It provides actual off-road ability, although not on the same level as a Jeep Wrangler or Grand Cherokee.
The TrailSport comes standard with an advanced AWD system featuring variable torque distribution that can channel up to 70% of the engine’s torque to the rear axle and 100% to either rear wheel.
The TrailSport comes with an off-road suspension, increasing ground clearance by one inch, and features 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. Roof rails return along with skid plate protection for the engine and fuel tank. You also get a Class III trailer hitch, plus front and rear recovery points.
Building off the EX-L’s standard equipment, the TrailSport adds synthetic leather upholstery with orange stitching, a panoramic glass moonroof, heated front wipers, and a heated steering wheel. Second-row captain’s chair seating comes standard, as does a 110-volt outlet.
Because Honda expects TrailSport buyers to venture off-road frequently, it equips this SUV with the TrailWatch camera system featuring four exterior cameras and a front camera washer. When activated, TrailWatch offers several live views, including front, front wide, rear, rear wide, left and right side, and ground view.
With the $1,345 delivery fee, the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport costs $49,695. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $938. See 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport models for sale near you
2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport includes:
- TrailWatch – The multicamera TrailWatch system allows the driver to see real-time images around the vehicle, making rough off-road trails a bit less stressful.
- Off-road suspension – The TrailSport’s off-road suspension adds an inch of ground clearance, which is appreciated when traversing rut-strewn trails.
- Skid plate protection – If you do bottom out, sturdy skid plates protect the engine and fuel tank from damage.
2023 Honda Pilot Touring: $46,450 (FWD), $48,450 (AWD)
The Touring elevates the Pilot to a more luxurious level, with the option of all-wheel drive for those who need it.
The Touring includes several clever features, such as a removable second-row center seat that stows below the cargo bay floor. With the center seat removed, a path to the third-row seat makes exiting and entry much less complicated.
Building off the EX-L’s equipment, the Touring adds gloss-black roof rails, a panoramic glass moonroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, Smart Key entry at all four doors, ambient LED interior lighting, and acoustic front window glass.
The Touring’s infotainment system gains Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, HondaLink subscription services, including remote start, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
With the $1,345 delivery fee, the 2023 Honda Pilot Touring costs $47,795. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $902. See 2023 Honda Pilot Touring models for sale near you
2023 Honda Pilot Elite: $52,030
The Elite is the pinnacle of Pilot luxury and technology. It comes with AWD, the TrailWatch multicamera system, auto-dimming side mirrors, and heated and rain-sensing wipers.
Building off the Touring, the Elite adds perforated leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, LED door trim lighting, ventilated front seats, and heated second-row outboard seats.
The Elite features a larger 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and a 110-volt outlet.
With the $1,345 delivery fee, the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite costs $53,375. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to $1,007. See 2023 Honda Pilot Elite models for sale near you
2023 Honda Pilot Elite includes:
- Ventilated front seats – By circulating cold air through the perforated leather upholstery, the Elite’s front seats help keep occupants cool and dry on hot summer days.
- Head-up display – The Elite’s head-up display projects essential vehicle and navigation information onto the windshield, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
- Rain-sensing wipers – At the slightest hint of precipitation hitting the windshield, the Elite’s rain-sensing wipers automatically activate.
