The Pilot has always been one of the best all-rounders in the class, so the expectations from the next generation are pretty high, especially if we consider that the competition is tougher than ever. According to the latest reports, the new model will arrive as the 2023 Honda Pilot and we expect it will be even more practical and functional. Furthermore, we count on improvements in other aspects of the vehicle, including mechanics, styling, interior design, technology features etc.
The test mule has been spotted on the road. It still wears a complete camouflage, so we can’t talk about details. However, we can presume how things will go in terms of some most basic design solutions. Many parts should be borrowed from the recently introduced new-generation Acura MDX, but many design solutions should be unique as well. The engine lineup probably won’t change too much, at least not in the initial model year.
The 2023 Honda Pilot should arrive sometime in the second half of 2022.
2023 Honda Pilot Redesign
The current generation of Honda’s biggest SUV has been around since 2016. Even though it still marks some pretty good sales numbers, it’s time for updates. The competition is getting stronger and that’s why the Japanese manufacturer is working on a completely new model, which is about to debut sometime in the next year.
The 2023 Honda Pilot is expected to bring a lot of novelties. From what we know so far, many parts will be shared with the new Acura MDX. This includes the platform, mechanics and lots of other stuff. The two models always shared a wheelbase, so we may expect the same in the future. That means that the 2023 Honda Pilot would gain 2.8 inches between the axles, which would provide more passenger space and more interior room in a generation.
At this point, the new generation still wears camouflage. From what we can see, the overall contour won’t change drastically. On the other hand, we expect to see completely new aesthetics. The biggest changes should happen at the front, where we count on a more rugged appearance. We count on a lot of inspiration taken from the updated Ridgeline. Naturally, there is also plenty of room for exclusive details, which would accentuate the model’s flagship position in the lineup. Still, radical styling changes definitely won’t occur.
2023 Honda Pilot Render Photo; Source: Motor1
Interior
Of course, the interior design will be all new as well. At this point, it’s still early to talk about details but we presume that the company will tend to make the 2023 Honda Pilot’s cabin a little bit flashier. The current one features very good quality but doesn’t stand out in terms of aesthetics. Therefore, we expect that Honda engineers will pay more attention to details and make the cabin look flashier.
Besides improved quality and aesthetics, we also count on lots of new tech features. This would include a new infotainment system, with a bigger screen, more connectivity options, including smartphone integration. Of course, more advanced safety and driver-assistance features are also expected.
As we already mentioned, the new model will feature a slightly longer wheelbase and probably a bigger overall size. That means we should expect more space on the inside as well. The current model already offers plenty of space, so we presume that the focus would be on the third row, which should become more adult-friendly. The same story is with cargo space. The current generation is already among class leaders, so we don’t expect drastic increase in this aspect.
2023 Honda Pilot Engines
We are pretty sure that the 2023 Honda Pilot will continue with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine. However, the well-known unit will get a slight upgrade, so the max output should go up to 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. We presume that the fuel economy will be improved as well. For reference, the current model returns around 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
One of the biggest changes will be the introduction of a new transmission. The new model will gain a new 10-speed automatic, which should have a highly positive effect on the ride quality and economy. Of course, the front-wheel-drive will be standard, while the AWD will be available.
We also believe that the hybrid version will be introduced in the future. That will most likely be a plug-in hybrid setup, though we still don’t know the details about the configuration. This version won’t be ready for the initial launch. More details should come soon.
2023 Honda Pilot Release Date and Price
We expect that the 2023 Honda Pilot will be ready for the second half of the next year. Base models should cost around 35.000 dollars, roughly. When it comes to the competition, some of the nameplates that come to mind are Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Chevy Traverse etc.
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