Blog

First Drive:2023 Honda Pilot Makes Big Strides With Redesign - Consumer Reports

Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by consumers.

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us. 2000 Honda Cr-V Power Steering Pump

First Drive:2023 Honda Pilot Makes Big Strides With Redesign - Consumer Reports

We don’t recognize that sign in. Your username maybe be your email address. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter.

We still don’t recognize that sign in. Retrieve your username. Reset your password.

Forgot your username or password?

Don’t have an account?

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

The Cost of Car Ownership Over Time

Listen to the Talking Cars Podcast

Is Now the Time to Switch to Electric Outdoor Tools?

Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2023

What to Do With a Broken Appliance

Cheapest Printers for Ink Costs

Find the Right Phone for You

The three-row SUV has become more user-friendly while retaining its flexibility and functionality

Update: Since this first drive was originally published in February, 2023, we finished testing the Honda Pilot. Read the complete Honda Pilot road test.

Honda may not have as extensive of a lineup as Toyota or Ford, but it’s been working hard to stay competitive. With the arrival of the redesigned 2023 Honda Pilot, the Japanese automaker has now redesigned five models within the past two model years, as the three-row midsized SUV joins the Accord, Civic, CR-V, and HR-V.

The Pilot makes notable but incremental gains in exterior dimensions, power, and interior space. Like before, it shares its underlying structure and powertrain with the Acura MDX, which was redesigned for 2022. The highly touted version (at least by Honda) is a more rugged-looking, adventure-focused TrailSport. This mirrors the pivot Honda made with the Ridgeline midsized pickup, which took on a tougher appearance with its 2021 freshening.

This three-row Pilot is the largest, most powerful SUV in Honda’s history, with an all-new dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) 285-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s available in seven- or eight-passenger seating configurations and, at least at the SUV’s launch, there isn’t a hybrid version. With these updates, it appears to be better poised to compete against the segment-leading Kia Telluride, an impressive SUV that has likewise expanded its offerings to include more trims, is trying to move upscale, and has a token off-road-oriented version. 

Honda has streamlined the Pilot line, which is now available in five trim levels (down from seven): Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite along with an available Honda Performance Development (HPD) package. We purchased a Touring for our test program, which Honda predicts will be the trim with the highest sales volume.

What we bought: 2023 Honda Pilot AWD Touring Powertrain: 285-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine; 10-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive.  MSRP: $48,550 Options: Radiant Red paint ($395)  Destination fee: $1,295 Total cost: $50,240

If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial expert assessment of the Honda Pilot is available to you below. We have since completed 2,000 break-in miles and put the Pilot through more than 50 tests at the CR Auto Test Center, including empirical measurements of acceleration, braking, handling, car-seat fit, and usability. CR members have access to the full road-test now.

If you haven’t signed up to be a member yet, click below and become a member to access this full article and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings on other products our experts evaluate in several categories, including electronics and home appliances.

​Sign up for CR’s Cars email newsletter to be notified when we post our latest road-test results.

Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.

First Drive:2023 Honda Pilot Makes Big Strides With Redesign - Consumer Reports

2001 Toyota Rav4 Power Steering Pump We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.