2023 Honda Pilot Will get Extra Horsepower, Higher Off-Roading

When you want a minivan however don’t wish to admit to your self that you simply want a minivan, the Honda Pilot has been an incredible different alternative for years. Nevertheless it hadn’t been redesigned since 2016 — making it really feel slightly outdated and never almost as aggressive because it had been previously. To repair that, Honda redesigned the Pilot for 2023, giving it a brand new look and improved off-road functionality.

Honda says the brand new Pilot is the “largest and strongest SUV in Honda historical past,” which can technically be true, however don’t anticipate to win any drag races in opposition to a Dodge Durango Hellcat. The “all-new” 3.5-liter V6 is simply barely extra highly effective than its predecessor, now making 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, up from 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque within the ‘22 mannequin.

Then once more, that’s most likely a very good factor for many technically-not-a-minivan patrons. The Durango could also be fast, however the Pilot’s going to be way more gas environment friendly. Honda hasn’t launched official gas economic system numbers but, but it surely’s most likely protected to imagine they’ll be about in keeping with the 2022 Pilot’s 23 mpg mixed score.

And whereas the brand new design does look extra rugged than earlier than, the actual focus is on the inside. Honda says its seats have been redesigned to be extra snug, whereas including 2.4 inches of legroom to the second row. Third seat passengers get an additional 0.6 inches.

You may as well possibility the Pilot with a detachable heart second-row seat that shops beneath the rear cargo flooring, permitting you to modify between seating for seven or eight. Actually, that sounds fairly cool. You possibly can drive round within the more-convenient seven-passenger mode more often than not, then pop in an eighth seat any time it’s good to haul an additional child.

Normal options embrace heated seats, help for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital driver show, and a 7.0-inch infotainment display screen. Fortunately, Honda discovered from previous errors and included bodily quantity and tuning knobs. Larger-end fashions get bigger screens with extra processing energy, additional USB ports, and wi-fi charging.

On the security entrance, Honda says it’s aiming for the Pilot to get a High Security Decide+ award and 5 stars from the NHTSA whereas additionally assembly the IIHS’s Aspect Impression Crashworthiness Analysis 2.0 normal. Superior driver help options have additionally been improved with each the rear digital camera and radar system getting a wider area of view, which ought to hopefully do a greater job of selecting up different autos, bicycles, and pedestrians who would favor to not be run over by distracted drivers.

The usual driver help system additionally contains blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise management, lane hold help, low-speed computerized braking, and a site visitors jam help characteristic that gives steering help.

Honda additionally claims the brand new Pilot can be extra enjoyable to drive than earlier than, together with shift paddles as normal and a 10-speed computerized it says was tuned particularly for this utility. Entrance-wheel drive is normal, however the optionally available all-wheel-drive system has been upgraded with a rear differential “that may deal with 40% extra torque and offers 30% quicker response.” As a lot as 70 % of the engine’s torque may be despatched to the rear wheels, which might then be absolutely utilized to both the left or proper wheel if vital.

You additionally get a number of drive modes to select from, together with new sport and towing strikes. When you do tow, the Pilot is rated as much as 5,000 lbs. The highest trim additionally will get an up to date sand and a path mode for those who determine to do some gentle off-roading. And Honda positively desires you to know the brand new Pilot can go off-roading.

When you really do wish to hit the path, Honda introduced again the Pilot TrailSport, which it claims to have examined at Moab, Glamis, and someplace within the mud in North Carolina. Apart from some beauty variations, the TrailSport will get a one-inch raise, an off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, skid plates, a full-size spare, a path driving mode, and a four-camera path view system.

Honda nonetheless hasn’t launched pricing for the 2023 Pilot, however anticipate that quickly as a result of it goes on sale subsequent month.