2023 Honda Pilot Trim Levels and Standard Features Explained
The all-new 2023 Honda Pilot is the biggest and most powerful SUV in Honda history. It has a tough new design, greater passenger and luggage capacity, and a class-leading mix of off-road prowess and self-assured on-road characteristics. It is the ideal family SUV.
The all-new 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport, which builds on this solid foundation, is the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever. It was designed to take weekend adventurers even further off the beaten path with special off-road features like an off-road-tuned suspension, increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, durable steel skid plates, and expanded all-wheel drive system capabilities.
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Design
All 2023 Honda Pilot trim levels now belong on the trail with an all-new rough appearance that compliments its trail-ready performance. Pilot was created by the style team in California and developed by Honda engineers in Ohio. The imposing and ambitious design has a big vertical grille, a longer hood, and a strong stance enhanced by flared fenders, wider tracks, and bigger tires.
Driving Experience
The stiffest body structure yet for a Pilot was combined with an entirely new chassis to provide a sportier and more exciting driving experience. The very rigid platform’s real off-road capabilities were considered from the outset when it was designed, which enhances the ride, handling, and overall refinement of all 2023 Honda Pilot trim levels.
Chassis
The interior of the 2023 Honda Pilot is completely new and contemporary, making it the versatile king of the carpool lane. It features unrivaled comfort and versatile seating, including an optional removable second-row seat that can be easily packed away under the rear cargo floor, readily available to compensate for an unexpected passenger at a moment’s notice. With an even larger and more comfortable third row, the Pilot’s interior versatility is complemented by the greatest passenger and cargo capacity ever.
2023 Honda Pilot Trim Levels
Five trim levels of the fourth-generation 2023 Honda Pilot are offered: Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Elite, the most opulent and affluent Pilot ever with high-end materials and premium accents. The Pilot can also come with two-wheel drive or the newest version of Honda’s award-winning torque vectoring all-wheel drive system, which now responds faster and can handle more torque.
Engine
An entirely new 3.5-liter V6 engine with twin overhead cams and 285 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque powers all 2023 Honda Pilot trim levels. The company’s car factory in Lincoln, Alabama, houses the engine building where this most powerful Honda V6 has ever been produced for the American market.
Transmission
All 2023 Honda Pilot trim levels feature an automatic transmission with 10 speeds. For manual control, the 2023 Honda Pilot comes with paddle shifters, which make it more fun to drive.
The 10-speed automatic transmission was made specifically for the Honda Pilot and is smooth and quick. Compared to the 9-speed automatic that came before, the 10-speed maximizes performance and fuel efficiency by having a 3.3% wider overall ratio range and a 9% lower first gear. This makes it easier to choose the right gear and gives the car a better start. The 10-speed automatic also shifts faster and more smoothly, and it can quickly go down four gears to give you more power when passing.
Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive System
The second iteration of Honda’s acclaimed torque vectoring all-wheel drive technology debuts in the 2023 Honda Pilot as well. The new and more competent system has a stronger rear differential that can take 40% more torque and delivers a 30% quicker reaction, maximizing traction in all driving circumstances, notably slippery weather and off-road. It is standard on TrailSport and Elite and is optional on all other 2023 Honda Pilot trim levels.
2023 Honda Pilot Standard Features
Now let’s talk about the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and standard equipment for the 2023 Honda Pilot, beginning with the Sport trim level, which has an MSRP that begins at $39,150.
2023 Honda Pilot Sport – $39,150
The 2023 Honda Pilot range is launched with the Sport trim level. Standard features include:
ENGINEERING
- 24-Valve DOHC 3.5-liter V6 engine (285 hp / 262 lb-ft)
- 2nd-Generation 10-Speed Automatic Transmission with Paddle Shifters
- Electric Parking Brake with Automatic Brake Hold
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Hill Descent Control
- Hill Start Assist
- Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer
- Idle-Stop
- Remote Engine Start
- Drive Modes (Normal, ECON, Snow, Tow, Sport)
EXTERIOR FEATURES
- 20-inch Shark Gray Alloy Wheels with Black Lug Nuts
- LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off
- LED Tail and Brake Lights
- LED Fog Lights
- Rear Privacy Glass
- Security System
- Programmable Remote Entry
- Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
- Intermittent Rear Window Wiper/Washer
- Dual Chrome Exhaust Outlets
- Gloss Black Roof Rails
- Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock (Front Doors and Tailgate)
- Body-Colored Door Handles
- Matte Black Power Side Mirrors
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
- Push Button Start
- Reversible, Dual-Level Cargo Floor
- Soft Close, Auto-Up/Down Power Front & 2nd-Row Windows
- One-Touch Turn Indicators
- Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column
- Multi-Functional Center Console Storage
- Sliding Sun visors
- Rear-Window Defroster with Timer
- Rear-Seat Heater Ducts
- Cargo Area Tie-Down Anchors (4 total)
- Cargo Area Bag Hooks
- Garment Hooks (2nd row, 2 total)
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control System w/Humidity Control and Air Filtration
- Driver and Front Passenger Lower Seatback Pockets
- 14 Beverage Holders
SEATING
- Black cloth seats
- One-Touch, Flat-Fold Outboard 2nd-Row Seats
- 60/40 Split, Flat-Folding 3rd-Row Bench Seat
- Front Passenger Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment
- Driver Seat w/10-Way Power Adjustment, including 2-Way Power Lumbar Support
- Heated Front Seats
AUDIO & CONNECTIVITY
- 225-Watt Audio System with 7 Speakers, including Subwoofer
- 7-Inch Color Touch-Screen
- 7-Inch Driver Information Interface Screen
- Bluetooth HandsFreeLink
- Bluetooth Streaming Audio
- HondaLink
- SMS Text Message Function
- 2.5-Amp USB-A Smartphone/Audio Interface (Front Console)
- 3.0-Amp USB-C Charging Port (Front Console)
- 12-Volt Power Outlets (Front Console)
- 2.5-Amp USB-A Charging Ports (2nd-Row, 2 Ports)
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility
SAFETY
- Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control
- Electronic Brake Distribution
- Brake Assist
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Tire Fill Assist
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines and Camera Washer
Honda Sensing
All 2023 Honda Pilot trim levels come standard with Honda Sensing. Honda Sensing offers safety and assistance technologies to make driving simpler and protect you and your passengers. These features employ sensor inputs to notify and help with steering and braking when triggered. Standard features include:
- Forward Collision Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Road Departure Mitigation System
- Lane Keeping Assist System
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
- Traffic Sign Recognition System
- Auto High-Beam Headlights
- Driver Attention Monitor
- Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor
2023 Honda Pilot EX-L – $41,950
The 2023 Honda Pilot EX-L trim level has a starting MSRP of $41,950. The EX-L loses the gloss black roof rails and dual chrome exhaust outlets of the Sport, but adds these additional features:
EXTERIOR FEATURES
- 18-inch Machine-Finished Alloy Wheels with Pewter Gray Inserts and Chrome Lug Nuts
- Heated Body-Colored Side Mirrors with Integrated Turn Indicators, Memory, and Reverse Gear Tilt-Down
- Programmable Power Tailgate
- Acoustic Laminate Glass Windshield
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control System with 2nd-Row Controls
- Driver and Front Passenger Lower Seatback Pockets with Smart Phone Pockets
- HomeLink Remote System
- Integrated Sunshades (2nd-Row)
- Automatic-Dimming Rearview Mirror
- Driver and Front Passenger Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
- Conversation Mirror
SEATING
- Two-Position Memory for Driver Seat and Side Mirrors
- Leather-Trimmed Seats
AUDIO & CONNECTIVITY
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility
- Cargo Area 12-Volt Power Outlet
- 225-Watt Audio System with 9 Speakers, including Subwoofer
- Compass
- 9-Inch Color Touch-Screen with Volume Knob, Customizable Feature Settings, and Smart Shortcuts
- SiriusXM
- HD Radio
- 15-Watt Wireless Phone Charger (Qi-Compatible)
- CabinTalk In-Car PA System (through speakers)
HONDA SENSING DRIVER-ASSISTIVE FEATURES
- Low-Speed Braking Control
- Parking Sensors (front/rear)
2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport – $48,350
The Honda Pilot TrailSport has an MSRP of $48,350. The Honda Pilot’s TrailSport trim level comes with the following features for more adventure:
ENGINEERING
- 2nd-Generation Intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD System
- Trail & Sand Drive Mode
- Trail Torque Logic
EXTERIOR FEATURES
- 18-inch Shark Gray Alloy Wheels with TrailSport logo and Black Lug Nuts
- Gloss Black Roof Rails and Door Handles
- Heated, Gloss Black, Power Folding Side Mirrors with Integrated Turn Indicators, Memory and Reverse Gear Tilt-Down
- Integrated Class III Trailer Hitch
- Underbody Skid Plates (Engine and Fuel Tank)
- Recovery Points (front/rear)
- Gloss Black Front Grille
- One-Touch Power Panoramic Moonroof
- Heated Wiper Zone
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
- Heated Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- All-Weather Floor Mats
SEATING
- 2nd-Row, Fold-Flat Captain’s Chairs
- Durable Synthetic Leather Seats w/Orange Stitching
AUDIO & CONNECTIVITY
- 110-Volt Power Outlet
SAFETY
- Multi-View Camera System with Front Camera Washer
- TrailWatch
2023 Honda Pilot Touring – $46,450
The Touring trim level starts at $46,450 and builds on the EX-L, adding these additional luxury features:
EXTERIOR FEATURES
- 20-inch Machine-Finished Alloy Wheels with Pewter Gray Inserts and Black Lug Nuts
- Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock (all doors)
- Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate with Walk Away Close
- Acoustic Laminate Glass Windshield and Front Doors
- Gloss Black Front Grille
- One-Touch Power Panoramic Moonroof
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
- On-Demand In-Trunk Seat Storage
- LED Lighting (Door Handles, Door Pockets, Front Footwell, 2nd and 3rd-Row Ambient Lights)
- Front Door Courtesy Lights
SEATING
- Stowable 2nd-Row, Fold-Flat Center Seat
AUDIO & CONNECTIVITY
- Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic
- Bose Premium Sound System with 12 Speakers, including Subwoofer
- HondaLink Subscription Services including Remote Engine Start
- Wi-Fi Hotspot Capability
- Multi-Zone Audio
2023 Honda Pilot Elite – $52,030
The top-spec Elite trim level has an MSRP of $52,030. The Elite trim level includes all the features of the Touring trim level, plus:
ENGINEERING
- 2nd-Generation Intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD System
- Trail & Sand Mode
EXTERIOR FEATURES
- Rain-Sensing Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
- Power Folding Side Mirrors
- Heated Wiper Zone
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
- 4-Inch Head-Up Display
- LED Door Trim Lighting
- Driver and Front Passenger Upper Seatback Pockets
SEATING
- Heated Front and Outboard 2nd-Row Seats
- Perforated Leather-Trimmed Seats
AUDIO & CONNECTIVITY
- 2-Inch Digital Instrument Cluster
- 110-Volt Power Outlet
Which 2023 Honda Pilot Trim Level to Buy
As for which 2023 Honda Pilot to buy, the EX-L, in my opinion, offers a lot of goodies for the money, including heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a smartphone connection with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. My pick, though, would be the Elite. It comes fully loaded with AWD, a head-up display, heated rear seats, a digital instrument cluster, and upgraded leather.
2023 Honda Pilot Paint Colors
Lastly, let’s go over the paint colors for the 2023 Honda Pilot. There are 8 available colors. Not every color is available on every trim level.
- Crystal Black
- Lunar Silver
- Modern Steel
- Obsidian Blue
- Platinum White Pearl
- Radiant Red
- Sonic Gray Pearl
- Diffused Sky-Blue Pearl
Wrapping Up
Okay, that’s it. I’m going to wrap this up. I went over the MSRP, standard features, which trim level to buy, and the paint colors for the 2023 Honda Pilot trim levels. If you found this blog post helpful, informative, or entertaining, please like, share, and subscribe to my channel.