From the June 2023 problem of Automotive and Driver.

When Honda birthed the TrailSport moniker on the previous-generation Pilot and Passport, it was an inauspicious second. With the trim providing virtually no useful upgrades, the automaker seemed to be cynically chasing the rising recognition of rugged model-line extensions. That adjustments with the all-new 2023 Pilot. The TrailSport really distinguishes itself from the remainder of the lineup, with all-terrain tires (and an identical full-size spare), an inch extra floor clearance (for 8.3 inches whole), beefy skid plates, a barely softer entrance anti-roll bar, and a torque-vectoring rear diff with 20 p.c extra torque capability. The off-road variant is now totally realized.

Driving the Pilot TrailSport

Talking of that rear diff, it is a torque-vectoring madman, rotating the rear finish round with slide-happy shenanigans on- or off-road. Three-row giant SUVs are by no means this impartial, however the Pilot will get all 4 tires totally engaged to ship 0.85 g on the skidpad—astonishing, contemplating the lowly T pace–rated (118 mph) all-terrain rubber. The Continental TerrainContact A/T tires claw extraordinarily properly on delicate sand and dust however do not sing at freeway speeds on pavement, regardless of their knobby tread.

The TrailSport does surrender some on-road prowess relative to its siblings, with the tires and softer entrance anti-roll bar eroding some steering precision and permitting extra physique movement. The stopping distance from 70 mph is a longish 189 ft. Whereas the TrailSport is not as sharp as the opposite Pilot fashions on pavement, most rivals aren’t both.

The TrailSport has extra severe off-road chops than its friends however remains to be no mountain goat. Even with the extra floor clearance, the TrailSport’s 19.8-degree method angle means it could actually’t fairly clear the 20-degree ramp we use to check articulation. And any automobile with this a lot wheelbase is in danger for top centering. Additionally, Honda included the entrance tow hook into the ahead skid plate below the oil pan, which implies two issues: It will not work as a flag mount, and chances are you’ll want a snorkel to connect a snatch strap after getting caught in a water gap.

Bigger Exterior and Inside Dimensions

This fourth-gen Pilot debuts a revised and fortified light-truck structure that will even underpin the following Odyssey minivan, Ridgeline pickup, and Passport SUV. Typically talking, the Pilot has grown in each dimension— the TrailSport particularly by 2.9 inches in wheelbase, 3.7 inches in size, and over an inch in observe widths, which makes for extra second- and third-row house, plus higher cargo room. The third row is not only liveable however comfy for adults, with the seat cushion now about two inches greater off the ground for extra stretch-out house. It’s not minivan grade, however it’s not far off. Dad and mom of younger youngsters will recognize the buttons on the second-row seats that tilt and slide them out of the way in which, making it straightforward for teenagers to self-embark for the again.

Larger and stiffer means heavier, and the TrailSport’s 4709-pound curb weight is a considerable 382 greater than that of the final Pilot we examined. However the construction feels about as stable as a bridge abutment, which advantages each trip and dealing with, and the Pilot steers with a lightness and veracity that belies its elevated weight. There’s extra sound-deadening materials to dam out the skin world too. The $49,695 TrailSport is the third-highest trim degree, under the $53,375 Elite and $200 lower than the Touring. It is properly geared up however lacking a number of of the highest fashions’ niceties, comparable to ventilated entrance seats, heated rear seats, Wi-Fi, and Bose audio.

Visually, the 2023 Pilot marks a return towards boxy from the earlier jelly-bean form, though it isn’t practically as cubist because the second-gen mannequin. Considered from the facet or the rear, the brand new Pilot blends in with its friends. Arguably, its most noticeable visible is the $455 Subtle Sky Pearl paint accessible solely on the TrailSport.

Inside supplies are of fairly top quality, and storage bins abound. Orange stitching on the seats and sprint is a contact of dress-up, however our check automobile’s all-black shade scheme is bland, and it is the one alternative on the TrailSport. We’re by no means followers of fingerprint-attracting piano-black trim, which sadly surrounds the shift buttons and local weather controls. The 9.0-inch middle touchscreen on EX-L and better fashions is small by right now’s requirements.

All-New V-6 Engine

Honda’s venerable 60-degree naturally aspirated V-6 sprouts twin overhead cams for the primary time, a part of a complete overhaul to scale back emissions. Displacement stays 3.5 liters, and a mix of extra exact gasoline management, greater injection pressures, and variable valve timing on each camshafts conspires to chop particulate and NOx emissions by as much as 50 p.c. That will get the V-6 to SULEV30 standing, which ought to maintain it emissions-legal by means of the tip of the last decade. Peak energy is up a nominal 5 horsepower to 285 whole, and torque is unchanged at 262 pound-feet, with each peaks at barely greater rpm. The V-6 nonetheless has a delightful consumption honk, however Honda’s storied VTEC is gone, and with it the characterful high-lift-cam switchover level and ensuing pandemonium on the high finish of the tach.

Energy-to-weight math places the brand new mannequin 7 p.c behind the earlier one, so it’s no shock that acceleration is slower by related margins: 6.9 seconds to 60 mph and 15.4 seconds at 90 mph within the quarter-mile, versus 6.2 seconds and 14.8 at 94 mph earlier than. Gas financial system suffers too, with EPA mixed scores down 1 mpg versus comparable 2022 Pilots. The TrailSport lands at 20 mpg, which is 1 mpg worse than different all-wheel-drive Pilots. Though this SUV lags behind its most effective friends, some consumers will recognize that Honda is sticking with the V-6 moderately than switching to a turbo 4 like many rivals.

Delivering all of the anticipated practicality of a three-row mid-size SUV, the brand new Pilot expands the breadth of its lineup with the off-road-ready TrailSport. Its driving dynamics now deliver it to the entrance of the pack, on- or off-road.

Director, Car Testing

Dave VanderWerp has spent greater than 20 years within the automotive business, in diverse roles from engineering to product consulting, and now main Automotive and Driver‘s vehicle-testing efforts. Dave received his very fortunate begin at C/D by occurring to submit an unsolicited resume at simply the correct time to land a part-time highway warrior job when he was a pupil on the College of Michigan, the place he instantly turned enthralled with the world of automotive journalism.