2023 Honda Pilot Elite First Look - The Biggest, Boxiest Pilot Ever!

TL;DR

The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite is the biggest and most rugged iteration of the Pilot yet, offering spacious seating for eight, a powerful V6 engine, and Honda's innovative all-wheel-drive system.

Transcript

thank you today I'm down in Southern California taking a look at the new 4th generation Honda Pilot for 2023 Honda says this is the most rugged most capable most chiseled and yes the biggest pilot ever built in this video we're going to be exploring the top end Elite trim together if you want to know more about the trail sport that's the most rugge... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚗 Honda claims that the 2023 Honda Pilot is the most rugged, capable, and chiseled version of the Pilot ever built. It features a boxier and more upright design, especially in the Elite trim.
• 💡 The 2023 Honda Pilot has grown in size, with about three inches added to its overall length and wheelbase. This growth translates into a more spacious cargo area and rear passenger area.
• 🏢 The interior of the 2023 Honda Pilot is expected to be roomy and practical, but exact specifications haven't been released yet. It may not offer as much combined legroom as the Korean twins, but it is still spacious compared to many other SUVs.
• 👀 The exterior design of the 2023 Honda Pilot reflects its rugged origins, with some inspiration from the Nissan Xterra and Toyota Forerunner. The rear features a vertical hatchback and distinctive tail lights.
• ⚙️ The 2023 Honda Pilot is equipped with a new V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which is expected to be less controversial than the previous nine-speed transmission.
• 🌧️ The top-end Elite trim of the 2023 Honda Pilot comes with Honda's latest IVTM (Intelligent Variable Torque Management) all-wheel-drive system. This system offers rear power bias and torque vectoring capability, giving it an advantage over competitors in terms of power distribution.
• 👥 The Elite trim of the 2023 Honda Pilot comes with eight-passenger seating capability, making it a family-friendly option. The second row also has a removable center seat, allowing for flexibility between seating and cargo space.
• 💰 The pricing for the 2023 Honda Pilot has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be slightly more expensive than the previous generation. Despite its potentially higher price tag, the Pilot offers features and capabilities that make it a strong competitor in its segment.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite compare to its competitors in terms of size and ruggedness?

The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite stands out for its larger size and more rugged design compared to its competitors, making it a great choice for those seeking a spacious and capable SUV for family adventures. Its interior offers ample room for passengers and cargo, and its innovative features like the removable center seat set it apart from other models in its class.

Q: What are some notable features of the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite?

The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite boasts a range of impressive features, including full LED headlights, a powerful V6 engine, a removable center seat in the second row for seating up to eight, and Honda's advanced all-wheel-drive system with rear power bias and torque vectoring capability. Additionally, the Elite trim offers luxurious touches such as heated and ventilated leather seats and thoughtful storage solutions.

Q: How does the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite's all-wheel-drive system differ from its competitors?

The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite's all-wheel-drive system, known as Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), sets it apart from other vehicles in its segment. The system not only distributes power between the front and rear wheels based on traction conditions but also has the ability to overdrive the rear axle, providing a rear power bias when the front wheels are not slipping. This offers enhanced handling and responsiveness, particularly on winding roads.

Q: What is the seating capacity of the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite, and what are the unique features of its second and third rows?

The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite can seat up to eight passengers, thanks to its unique removable center seat in the second row. This feature allows for greater flexibility, as the seat can be easily taken out to create Captain's chairs or to accommodate additional passengers. The third-row seating provides ample legroom, although the headroom may be slightly limited for taller passengers. Additionally, the third-row seats can be conveniently folded down for increased cargo space.

Q: How does the interior technology of the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite compare to its competitors?

While the 2023 Honda Pilot Elite offers a practical and well-equipped interior, some reviewers have noted that its infotainment screen sizes are relatively small compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride or Toyota Highlander. The Elite trim features a 9-inch LCD in the dashboard and a full LCD instrument cluster, which may be smaller than what is found in some rival models. However, the Pilot Elite compensates with other features such as a large panoramic moonroof, wireless phone charging, and a variety of practical storage solutions throughout the cabin.

Answer: The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite is expected to go on sale later in 2022, with pricing yet to be announced. While Honda has not revealed specific fuel economy figures, the new V6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission are expected to deliver improved efficiency compared to the previous generation. The Pilot Elite is likely to offer a combination of ruggedness, spaciousness, and advanced features that make it a compelling option in the midsize SUV segment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The 2023 Honda Pilot Elite is the largest and most rugged version of the Pilot to date, featuring a boxier and more rugged design compared to previous models.

• The Elite trim offers full LED headlights, a spacious and luxurious interior, and innovative features like a removable center seat in the second row, allowing for seating capacity of up to eight.

• The new Pilot is equipped with a V6 engine producing 285 horsepower, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and Honda's advanced all-wheel-drive system with rear power bias and torque vectoring capability.