Recently Honda started added the TrailSport trim to some of its vehicles, helping to keep up with many manufacturers who are going off-roady and rugged. Brands like Subaru Wilderness, Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek and others come to mind.
In fact the previous Passport and Pilot had available TrailSport trims, but caught up in a game of catch up, they were more cosmetic than anything else. Well for 2023, we have an all-new Pilot, and along with that, a new Pilot TrailSport that promises to be the real deal for those who adventure off road. Does it make the grade? Let’s find out!
Big on Big
The new Pilot makes a strong first impression with bold, squared-off lines, containing a larger package. The front features a rugged, yet clean design with a large black mesh grille fronted by a large chrome “H”, slightly angled signature daytime running lights, and cool LED fog lights sitting low in the fascia. A bold horizontal line gives added width to the look, while a unique red TrailSport badge in the grille lets you know this is something special.
The profile makes an equally large statement. The new, blockier lines look more truckish, and the new Pilot cuts a larger path – overall length on all models increased 3.4 inches, with a longer wheelbase serving up greater interior room. The TrailSport adds to the tough vibe with special 18-inch alloy wheels riding on massive 265/60/18 Rugged Terrain Tires.
Add in an inch more ground clearance over other Pilot models, and you’ll see this big Honda sits tall in the saddle. We also liked the blacked-out trim, fender flares and lower side rails that gave a unified and capable look.
At the rear, there’s a horizontal piece that spells out P I L O T in big block letters, with wraparound LED taillights and a roof spoiler adding some sport. The lower bumper is blacked out with a metallic tone skid plate that reinforces the go-anywhere vibe. The perfect finishing touch, our tester featured a TrailSport unique baby blue paint job called Diffused Sky Pearl. It got loads of compliments and second glances. It seems like folks are ready for bright and bold colors again!
Bigger and Better
Inside, the 2023 Pilot is a win-win, offering more room, and a serious upgrade in quality and tech. Open the front door, and you’re greeted by a new, more horizontal design, similar to the all-new Accord we just tested.
Sit behind the chunky three-spoke steering wheel, and all is familiar Honda – but nicer. The instrument cluster features an easy to read digital tachometer display with an analogue speedo. Those wanting the latest and greatest can get a full LCD display on the Elite trims.
The new tablet-style 9-inch touchscreen is bright and clear, and features all the goodies like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging. To make the most of the system, there are six easily programmable screen shortcuts, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The standard 9-speaker audio system sounds great too, and the tri-zone climate controls are super easy to understand and use.
You can also feel a higher quality in all the controls, as well as beautiful looking interior materials. TrailSport models brighten things up with contrasting orange stitching and logos on the front seat headrests.
We’re still not fans of the pushbutton transmission selector. It’s okay, but it never felt intuitive – call us old school. We saw Honda move away from this to a regular shift lever on the new Accord and hope they will follow suit in future models.
That’s a small complaint for a huge interior. The Pilot boasts class-leading interior space, and it’s obvious they did their homework here, with redesigned front seats that are more supportive, 2nd row seats with 2.4 inches more legroom and greater recline. Most important, the third row has also gained a couple of inches of legroom, and the seat has been raised two inches, all together making both 2nd and 3rd rows friendly for adults – a noticeable improvement.
While our tester had 2nd row captain’s chairs, other models feature a 2nd row bench to give you true 8-passenger capacity. Cargo space is cavernous, and with rows 2 and 3 folded flat, you have a huge cargo hold – time to buy that big screen tv!
Big V6 Power
Driving the Pilot is a next-level experience, too.
The first surprise, Honda stays with a 3.5-liter, V6 layout, when many competitors are going for smaller, turbocharged 4-cylinders. That alone is pretty interesting, but when you add in that this is the most powerful Honda V6 ever offered in the US market, you’ve really got our attention. Pushing out an impressive 285 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft of torque, it starts with a nice growl and has a sweet sound as it revs.
And it loves to rev, too. Hooked up to a 10-speed automatic, the shifts are fast and the big Pilot hustles even in normal mode. Put it in Sport mode and it really hauls, with immediate response to the accelerator. Paddles shifters add to the fun.
The numbers are as good as they feel, with a combined 20 EPA mpg, and a 5,000 lb. towing capacity.
Honda really stepped up the capability of Pilot to tackle just about any condition, with a second-gen torque-vectoring AWD system that not only gives great grip in poor conditions, but also helps point the SUV into turns – a big SUV that has the dance moves of a sports sedan! Impressive. OK, so most buyers aren’t tackling the twisties, but they will appreciate New Trail Mode and Sport Mode settings, a retuned Sand mode, New standard Tow Mode, and a first-for-Pilot Hill descent control. It all adds to confidence behind the wheel.
While the above is true for all 2023 Pilots, the TrailSport gets a comprehensive upgrade including a 1-inch taller ride height with a specially tuned suspension, underbody steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, Trail torque logic for the AWD, and a standard full-size spare and tow hitch. No off-road poser here!
Helping you navigate unfamiliar terrain is a unique TrailWatch Camera system with four camera views. While all of these give you loads of off-road capability, it’s important to note that they in no way take away from the everyday driving experience – in fact the suspension and large wheels and tires gives a cushier ride. It’s a win-win.
How Much for a TrailSport, Sport?
The ’23 Pilot lineup starts with the LX at $36,500. For an 8-passenger SUV with loads of room and a powerful V6, that’s impressive value. Also impressive is that Honda made the TrailSport a mid-level model, starting at $48,350. The only option on our tester was the Diffused Sky Pearl paint at $455. Add in $1,345 for Destination and we rang the bell at $50,150.
Competitors would include the Kia Telluride SX X-Pro, starting at $51,450, and the Mazda CX-90 at $53,125. We think the Kia is a strong competitor, and we’d recommend driving both. The Mazda is a bit smaller – the third row is really a place to perch kids, but with an available 340 horsepower engine and Mazda’s great chassis tuning, it’s probably the sportiest drive in its class. To us the Honda wins with its excellent balance of all things important to SUV buyers.
Larger, more capable, stylish and luxurious, the all-new 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport is a big deal in the SUV marketplace!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.