 | Positives: True family utility goodness, actually worthy of the TrailSport name, Great redesign, attractive and voluminous interior, surprisingly neutral handling. |
 | Negatives: Noisy engine under full throttle, handling not as crisp due to the tires, infotainment system still has a lot of room for improvement. |
 | Bottom Line: The Pilot is as good as it's ever been in just about every way, and the TrailSport version finally gets the goods for off-road prime time. |
Driving Experience
The Pilot has been known for its good driving manners, despite its three-row dimensions. The new Pilot continues that tradition, and even with a more off-road leaning trim level, it's still rewarding to drive. It gives up some handling characteristics, and the V6 can be noisy under duress, but overall, it drives better than most of the segment. In terms of the TrailSport's off-road capability, it is certainly better than most other family crossovers but not up to snuff when compared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Ride Quality: The smaller diameter wheels and the off-road tires give the TrailSport a slightly cushier ride without feeling totally disconnected from the pavement.
Acceleration: The Pilot will do 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, probably a tad slower with the all-terrain tires. That's a second quicker than the Toyota Highlander but a second slower than the Ford Explorer Timberline. The Pilot's 10-speed automatic transmission responds well to downshifts, and it definitely contributes to a generally positive driving experience.
Braking: Braking distances are on the long side, but at least the progression is good. The pedal is definitely on the numb side, unfortunately, and it doesn't inspire confidence when stopping.
Steering: There's a modicum of steering effort, and the setup is precise and on center.
Handling: The Pilot has always been one of the better-driving three-row crossovers, and even with more ground clearance and puffier tires, the Pilot continues to impress with its body control and curve management.
Technology
We've never been fans of Honda's infotainment system, but the one in the new Pilot is certainly better than the one found in the previous model. Gone are some of the dated graphics and fonts, replaced by simpler and crisper versions. The screen size of the base system isn't huge, but it gets the job done. On the flip side, the incredibly good analog controls for audio and climate are some of the best in the business.
Infotainment System: The 9" screen is clear but not truly vivid. At least it has a matte screen that avoids trammeled viewing in bright sunlight. Responsiveness is average, but the menus are easy to navigate.
Controls: The well-sized knurled knobs for climate are freakin' genius. Honda finally gets it because they are so easy to use while driving, as are the similarly finished (but smaller) audio knobs. They're so good that you forget about the dumb slider that Honda used before. The steering wheel controls and the shift knob are also very good.
Styling
We love what Honda has done with its latest design language, and the Pilot finally looks like an SUV and not a morphed minivan of a crossover. It's boxier, more rugged looking, and the interior is better than Hondas have been in a long time. In TrailSport trim, the Pilot is especially handsome with its black trim bits. Inside, the Pilot is clean, uncluttered, no-nonsense, and handsome.
Front: The front fascia is more upright than the old Pilot, and the overall execution is simpler and more truck-like. Gone are the complex headlights that wrapped around the ends of the top of the grille frame. The sloping hood has also been replaced by a flatter clamshell-style hood with simple creases. The blocky grille also look great. The TrailSport trim also swaps out all the chrome trim pieces for black, which totally changes the look.
Rear: The back end and the liftgate are attractive with a big "PILOT" badged bar that unifies the taillights. The roof spoiler looks good just above the big rear glass. We don't particularly like the big silver piece at the base of the bumper because it seems to protrude unnecessarily.
Profile: The Pilot looks especially good from the side view. The boxier shape is well-proportioned, and the simple beltline draws a nice crease from front to back. The crease above the rocker panel and the angled C-pillar and angled rear side window add some flair. We also like the black window trim and the black wheels.
Cabin: No one will call the interior of the Pilot opulent, even in the top-tier Elite trim. That much more is the case with the Trailsport. On the bright side, it's cleanly styled, attractive, and free of overwrought details.
Comfort
The Pilot is one of the best three-row SUVs for families, and the sheer amount of space in all three rows. Honda even gave rows two and three a tad more legroom, which is a big bonus. The TrailSport trim happens to have standard 2nd-row Captain's Chairs. Ergonomics and visibility are also excellent.
Front Seats: The front seats are wide, accommodating, and the cushioning is spot-on. Bolstering is excellent and there's plenty of lateral support.
Rear Seats: The standard Captain's Chairs are very comfy and great for even tall adults. The cushioning is top-notch, and the adjustability range is very good. The third row seats provide 31.9 inches of legroom, a bit more than even the spacious Kia Telluride.
NVH (noise/vibration/harshness): Sound deadening is decent, but there's some noticeable noise when the engine is pushed hard.
Visibility: The thick C- and D-pillars obscure sightlines a little bit, but overall visibility is very good.
Climate: The climate system is excellent, and the location of the vents in the middle of the dash is perfect. The TrailSport's heated seats also work very well.
Safety
The new Pilot has not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or the NHTSA. Our guess is that it will perform well when tested, given that the 2022 Pilot earned solid marks from the federal government.
IIHS Rating: Not tested.
NHTSA Rating: Not tested.
Standard Tech: The Pilot TrailSport comes outfitted with a Surround View Camera System, Blind Spot Information System with Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, lane keeping assist system, and road departure mitigation.
Optional Tech: None.
Storage/Cargo
The Pilot has always been one the best SUVs when it comes to space for luggage and gear, and that's even more the case with the even more capacious 2023 Pilot. In terms of small item storage, the Pilot nails it in all three rows.
Storage Space: There's a lot to love about interior stowage choices. There's a large open bin in the front of the center console which has both storage and a wireless charging deck, big cupholders in the center console, a large center armrest, and even a long tray above the glovebox. Our favorites are the double-decker door pockets in the first and third rows.
Cargo Room: The Pilot is huge inside and provides 18.6 cubes behind row three, 48.5 cubes behind row two, and a huge 87 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. That's bigger than last year's first and third-row numbers 16.5 and 83.9, respectively.
Fuel Economy
Since the Pilot isn't a hybrid and it's powered by a naturally-aspirate V6, the gas mileage isn't especially good. Our numbers were further hampered by driving it in Sport mode, and the spongy all-terrain tires also likely played a role.
Observed: 18.7 mpg.
Distance Driven: 177 miles.
Audio
There's no premium audio system in the TrailSport and no opportunity to upgrade. That said, the 9-speaker stock system is decent. While it could benefit form more bass, the clarity was good. We also didn't witness any distortion from the system.
