20May
You want to get the Honda Pilot for the 2023 model year because you want an SUV that prioritizes passenger comfort and offers plenty of cabin room, especially for front-row passengers. Although it doesn’t offer as much third-row seating comfort as some front-runners in the midsize SUV segment, this latest Honda Pilot model offers plenty of room for first- and second-row passengers and makes up for what it lacks in 3rd-row space with its ample cargo space and abundance of stash spots scattered across the interior.
The Pilot is available in six distinct trims; LX, Sport, EX-L, Trail Sport, Touring, and “Elite” Black Edition. Honda has led the automobile industry for many years, consistently delivering quality vehicles with innovative features and exceptional performance.
The Honda Pilot is one of the most popular SUVs in the market, thanks to its excellent reliability, spacious interior, and impressive technology. Following its release in December 2022, the new Honda Pilot is set to conquer unpaved roads just as easily as it does asphalts. It's a highly anticipated SUV with the reliability, efficiency, and build quality to handle and make mince meat of the tough Nigerian roads and climate. Let’s check it out.
2023 Honda Pilot Exterior Design
The latest Honda Pilot is all-new and fully redesigned for the 2023 model year, allowing it to offer more cargo space and rear passenger accommodation – especially in the first and second rows.
The redesign also produced a new TrailSport trim enhanced for off-road driving – or better put, designed to make mince meat of potholes in Ajegunle and elsewhere.
Notably, the Honda Pilot entered its fourth generation in 2023, hence, the full redesign, which leaves it looking more aggressive and modern than its predecessor.
The front fascia features a new grille with chrome accents, sleek LED headlights, and a sporty bumper. The sides are also more sculpted, with sharp lines and prominent wheel arches that give the SUV a more athletic stance. The new Pilot’s rear has also got updated with a redesigned bumper and new taillight design.
We've got to say we think the new Pilot is going through some sort of existential crisis that left it unsure where its strength should lie – whether as a tough and rugged off-road-focused family SUV or a sporty runabout city C-SUV. At least, that tells you it tries to play multiple roles very well.
2023 Honda Pilot Interior Design
The 2023 Honda Pilot also features a spacious and luxurious interior designed to provide the ultimate comfort and convenience for its passengers.
The vehicle offers seating for up to eight passengers, with ample legroom and headroom for all occupants. The interior also features high-quality materials, including leather upholstery and wood accents, effectively leaving the cabin with a premium feel.
We may have accused the new Honda Pilot of risking a “Master of None” moniker by trying to assume multiple roles. However, no one can deny the ease of ingress and egress, complete with easy-to-use, child-friendly buttons to release the second-row seat.
We were quick to point fingers and accuse the new Pilot of not having as much seating room in its third row only because we've seen the third-row space of its rivals like the Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas.
Indeed, the Pilot can do better in this aspect, but the overall cabin volume, comfort, and technology are enough to write home about.
2023 Honda Pilot Technology Features
The 2023 Honda Pilot comes packed with cutting-edge technology that enhances the driving and entertainment experience of its passengers.
The vehicle features a large touchscreen display that provides access to the infotainment system, which includes features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium sound system.
It also features a suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
We love that many of the driver-aid features are standard equipment on the Honda Pilot 2023, including lane-keep assist that helps keep the SUV in the center of the road even at really low speeds.
It's unfortunate that most Nigerian cities will almost rubbish this hi-tech feature, but that won't stop it from coming in handy – say, on some Abuja roads.
We've got to say that, on the whole, the 2023 Honda Pilot's tech isn't as punchy as some of its class-leading rivals, but it does the job just fine, especially with the responsive and easy-to-use infotainment system.
We told you it uses a large touchscreen infotainment display, but it’s actually a 9-inch screen. While 9 inches qualifies as “large,” it feels lost in the Pilot’s roomy cabin designed for up to eight passengers.
We’d have expected the Pilot to field the 12.3-inch screen found in the new Honda Accord sedan. At least, the Pilot ensures everyone can charge their devices on board, including a wireless charging pad and several USB ports.
It makes us look like fault-finders, but we're still going to say it; we wish the USB ports aren't USB-A type only. There, we've said it.
2023 Honda Pilot Performance
It turns out the 2023 redesign does not include a new powerplant for the Pilot, as it carried over the previous model’s powerful and reliable 3.5-liter V6 power mill.
However, Honda wrung more power from this engine, resulting in a 5-hp gain on the 2022 model’s 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. In other words, the new-gen Pilot SUV makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm.
The Pilot’s V6 marries a 10-speed automatic transmission with a paddle shifter, which Honda says “delivers exceptionally strong and smooth acceleration and immediate response.”
We wouldn’t know because we haven’t actually driven the SUV, but we believe it. The SUV reportedly wakes to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, as achieved by the TrailSport model.
2023 Honda Pilot Safety Features
Safety is a top priority for Honda, and the 2023 Honda Pilot is no exception. The vehicle features a suite of advanced safety features that help prevent accidents and protect occupants in the event of a collision.
Some of the safety features include a multi-angle rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
As we mentioned before, many of the safety systems are standard features on the 2023 Honda Pilot.
2023 Honda Pilot Fuel Efficiency
The actual gas mileage depends on the equipment and trim, ranging from an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined (18 city/23 highway) for the all-wheel-drive TrailSport to 22 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive model.
A real-world mileage test by Edmunds saw the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport model achieve an average of 22 mpg, which mirrors the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) estimate.
If you’re wondering how the 2023 Pilot compares to its competitors’ fuel economy, we can tell you it’s on par with its V6-powered rivals.
Just don’t compare it with the Toyota Highlander, the king of fuel-efficient midsize SUVs thanks to its robust turbocharged inline-4 engine.
2023 Honda Pilot Price and Availability In Nigeria
The new 2023 Honda Pilot is currently available in Nigeria with a starting price of ₦52 million. Honda Place Nigeria is currently running a promo that cuts about ₦2 million from the official price.
You get a 5-year warranty and 5-year free service that includes labor and parts. Alright. So, let's do a little math.
₦52 million in US dollars (based on the official exchange rate) translates to over $112,000. Meanwhile, the Honda Pilot starts at $35,950 in the US, which should be less than ₦17 million, using the official exchange rate.
Even so, $36,000 at the black market rate of around ₦750 per dollar translates to ₦27 million. Even with logistics and import duties, the typically calculating Nigerian shopper might just leave local dealerships like Honda Place to government contractors. Ha.
Last Word On The 2023 Honda Pilot
The 2023 Honda Pilot is shaping up to be an exceptional SUV that offers a perfect combination of performance, comfort, and technology.
With its redesigned exterior, luxurious interior, cutting-edge technology features, and advanced safety features, the new Pilot will certainly impress drivers and passengers alike.
Whether you're looking for a family SUV or a vehicle for your daily commute, the 2023 Honda Pilot is definitely worth considering.
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