2023 Honda Pilot Review: The Family SUV You Need

Honda, after doing facelifts for almost all the cars in the fleet, finally set their sights on the Pilot – the old box on wheels. They realized it is high time their biggest SUV receives an update. And, I am glad to say that it is more than just an update. This is a well-deserved overhaul. Read the full review below for details.

Exterior

First things first, the Honda Pilot looks bulky. That is because, well, it is bulky. After refreshing the CR-V, Honda tried to duplicate the design for the Pilot, and it works to an extent. It is definitely not the most beautiful-looking machine on the road. However, it is a design that is functional and effective. To be fair, the customers who will buy this car are basically families or soccer moms. So, looking from that perspective, this plump exterior works.

Interior

The interior of the Honda Pilot clearly excels beyond its competitors. This SUV is designed as a family carrier. Honda has kept large families in mind while designing the Pilot, and this is one of those few crossovers in which seven adults can sit comfortably. Yes, even the third row is fitting for adults. This is achieved because the second row only seats two and the third row seats three. It is not the conventional way, but it works well. I felt more comfortable having my own little space in the second row. Moreover, the visibility is incredible all around, and road/wind noise is minimized greatly. Kudos to Honda!

Other than that, the ‘Touring’ variant is loaded with all the options possible by Honda, including the Honda LaneWatch. The new infotainment system is powered by Android, which I believe is the way forward. I can go on and on about the Android goodies, but it is better left to be experienced by the user. All in all, I am thoroughly impressed!

Drive

The new Honda Pilot is powered by a refreshed 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 BHP and 355 Nm of torque. These are decent figures for a naturally aspirated V6. However, this doesn’t translate into great performance considering the bulk. I am completely on board with that. Why? Because the Honda Pilot was never meant to be a performance SUV. This is the smoothest car I have driven in recent memory. The drive is so comfortable that I was afraid I might doze off while driving. The power delivery is linear, and the gearbox is exactly what you require in a family carrier.

However, if you are planning to tackle corners like a rally driver, kindly don’t! The steering lacks feel, and body roll is noticeable. The Honda Pilot is a city car that can be taken off-road for pleasure but not for hardcore dune bashing. All in all, it is a great package in this segment!

Still, if you are interested in the figures, you will be glad to know that the Honda Pilot reaches 100 kph from standstill in 7.5 seconds. The braking power completely halts it from 100 kph in 3.2 seconds. Overall, I am happy with the performance, especially when considering the great fuel economy this car provides. In the test run, the car achieved an average of 12.7 l/100 km. Bravo!

Verdict

This car is for those consumers who want a spacious interior for their families above all else. If you are one of those, then look no further!

For more information, please visit the Pilot car buying guide.