Best Car Reviews - 2023 Honda Pilot AWD TrailSport

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Introduction

The 2023 Honda Pilot AWD TrailSport is a three-row, seven-seat SUV for families who want everyday space with real light-off-road ability. Fully redesigned for 2023, it pairs a naturally aspirated V6 with standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, added underbody protection, and a more spacious cabin than the previous Pilot. It stands out as the rugged choice in the Pilot range without losing its family-friendly road manners.

Design and Exterior Features

The 2023 redesign gives the Honda Pilot a more upright, squared-off profile and a more purposeful stance than its rounded predecessor. At about 200 inches long, it is a substantial midsize SUV, but the TrailSport visual treatment makes it look especially ready for weekend escapes. Its raised ride height, dark 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, roof rails, LED lighting, and visible skid plates are functional as well as distinctive.

TrailSport-specific 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/60R18 all-terrain tires.
One-inch suspension lift for 8.3 inches of ground clearance.
Steel underbody skid plates, front recovery points, and an integrated Class III trailer hitch.
Full LED headlights, LED fog lights, roof rails, and a power tailgate.
Standard i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive with Trail Torque Logic.

Interior and Comfort

The Pilot TrailSport has a practical, roomy cabin with two second-row captain’s chairs and a third row designed to be more accommodating than before. Durable synthetic-leather upholstery with orange stitching supports the trim’s outdoorsy personality, while useful storage spaces, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic moonroof help it remain comfortable for daily family duty. Front-seat comfort is strong, and the second row is spacious, although adults may still find the third row best for shorter trips.

Seven-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs and one-touch second-row access.
Heated front seats, power front seats, driver memory, and a heated steering wheel.
Durable synthetic-leather seating surfaces with TrailSport-specific orange accents.
Tri-zone automatic climate control, second-row sunshades, and acoustic glass.
Hidden cargo-floor storage well and up to 87 cubic feet of cargo volume with rear seats folded.

Performance and Handling

The 2023 Honda Pilot AWD TrailSport uses a 3.5-liter direct-injected V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It runs on regular unleaded gasoline and has a seven-mode drive system with Normal, ECON, Sport, Snow, Tow, Trail, and Sand settings. Official EPA ratings are 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, equal to approximately 13.1, 10.2, and 11.8 L/100 km. Independent testing recorded 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, respectable rather than sporty for a roughly 4,700-pound SUV. The TrailSport is composed on pavement, though its softer suspension and all-terrain tires trade some steering precision and fuel economy for extra capability on loose surfaces.

3.5-liter SIDI V6 with 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
EPA combined consumption of 20 mpg, approximately 11.8 L/100 km.
Verified 0-60 mph test result of 6.9 seconds.
Up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped.

Technology and Connectivity

The TrailSport receives a 9-inch touchscreen rather than the smaller base display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Its interface includes physical controls for common functions, while wireless phone charging and a nine-speaker audio system improve day-to-day usability. The TrailWatch camera system is especially useful off pavement, displaying multiple exterior views to help the driver place the SUV around obstacles.

9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Wireless Qi-compatible phone charging and Wi-Fi hotspot capability with subscription service.
Nine-speaker, 245-watt audio system.
TrailWatch multi-view camera system for off-road visibility.
Seven-inch digital instrument display and HondaLink connected services.

Safety Features

Honda equips every 2023 Pilot with the Honda Sensing driver-assistance suite, and the TrailSport adds blind-spot information, rear cross-traffic monitoring, parking sensors, and low-speed braking control. The redesigned Pilot earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for 2023. IIHS testing rated the structure and occupant protection well in the original moderate-overlap frontal, small-overlap frontal, and updated side evaluations; buyers should nevertheless remember that the updated moderate-overlap test found less robust rear-passenger protection on 2023-24 models than on later revised models.

Collision Mitigation Braking System, forward collision warning, and road-departure mitigation.
Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist, and traffic-jam assist.
Traffic-sign recognition, driver-attention monitor, and automatic high beams.
Blind-spot information, rear cross-traffic monitor, parking sensors, and low-speed braking control.
Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, front knee airbags, and front side airbags.

Pricing and Variants

The 2023 Pilot TrailSport AWD started at $48,700 before destination, tax, registration, and options; its original price including the then-current $1,345 destination charge was $50,045. The 2023 range included LX, Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, and Elite trims, with TrailSport available only with all-wheel drive. At its original price, the TrailSport competed with ruggedized three-row SUVs such as the Kia Telluride X-Pro, Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek, Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition, Toyota Highlander AWD, and Ford Explorer Timberline. It costs more than many mainstream trims but brings uncommon off-road hardware to the family-SUV segment.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Genuinely useful off-road upgrades rather than an appearance package alone.
Strong V6 power, smooth 10-speed automatic, and standard torque-vectoring AWD.
Spacious, versatile three-row cabin with excellent cargo flexibility.
Comprehensive standard active-safety equipment and strong IIHS results.
Regular-gas engine and 5,000-pound maximum towing capability.

Cons

Fuel consumption is high beside hybrid three-row SUV alternatives.
TrailSport costs substantially more than lower Pilot trims.
All-terrain tires and softer suspension reduce on-road sharpness.
Third-row comfort remains better for children or shorter adults than for tall adults.
Its off-road capability is useful for trails and rough roads, but it is not a dedicated rock-crawling SUV.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A reliable model-specific annual maintenance-cost estimate is not yet established by major repair-cost databases for the 2023 Pilot, so buyers should budget for routine oil changes, brake service, fluids, all-terrain tire replacement, and dealer-recommended inspections rather than rely on an unsupported yearly figure. Owner reports and complaint databases should be treated as signals to inspect during a test drive, not as proof that every vehicle has a defect.

12-volt battery failures or no-start complaints.
Wheel-speed sensor or warning-light concerns.
Power tailgate operation complaints.
Tire cupping, road noise, or accelerated tire-wear reports.
Wind noise, rattles, or door-seal adjustment concerns.

Rating

Overall rating: 8.4/10. Design: 8.5/10 for its confident, functional TrailSport look. Comfort: 8.5/10 for roominess and thoughtful family features. Performance: 8.2/10 for its capable V6 and impressive AWD system, offset by fuel use. Technology: 8.1/10 for strong connectivity and useful cameras. Safety: 8.7/10 for standard driver assistance and strong crash-test performance.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly values the Pilot TrailSport’s roomy cabin, easy family usability, V6 refinement, and confidence in poor weather or on unpaved roads. Recurring criticisms tend to focus on fuel economy, the price premium, and occasional early-production electronic or fit-and-finish complaints.

Families commonly appreciate the captain’s chairs, accessible third row, and generous cargo capacity.
Drivers often find the V6 and 10-speed transmission smooth and reassuring for highway travel.
TrailSport buyers value the all-terrain tires, clearance, and camera views on snow, dirt roads, and campsites.
Fuel economy is a frequent concern for drivers cross-shopping hybrid alternatives.
Some owners advise checking battery health, tire condition, warning lights, and power-tailgate operation on used examples.

Best Cars in This Category

2023 Kia Telluride X-Pro
2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek
2023 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition
2023 Toyota Highlander AWD
2023 Ford Explorer Timberline

Summary

The 2023 Honda Pilot AWD TrailSport is best for buyers who need a capable, comfortable three-row family SUV and regularly travel in snow, on gravel roads, or to outdoor destinations. It is not the efficiency leader, and its premium price warrants careful comparison with hybrid competitors, but its V6 power, useful towing capacity, spacious interior, standard safety technology, and authentic TrailSport hardware make it one of the more versatile choices in the midsize SUV class.