The Honda Pilot was renewed in 2023 and follows the industry trend by offering an adventure version like many of its competitors do. Among these, we find the Chevrolet Traverse Z71, the GMC Acadia AT4, the Kia Telluride X-Pro, the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek and the Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition.
The Pilot fights back with the TrailSport (MSRP $59,850) — placed in the middle of the range — which distinguishes itself from other variants thanks to its own visual and mechanical elements. TrailSport emblems are found on the bodywork and headrests. In the cabin, orange accents are sewn on the seats, the dashboard and on the steering wheel. For its part, the suspension is raised and configured differently. Skid plates protect the underbody from damage when driving off-road.
Regarding pricing, the Pilot Sport starts at $53,350 (MSRP). This is followed by the EX-L ($56,850), Touring ($63,600) and Black Edition ($65,100) versions. Its bill is among the highest average in the category, which may put off more than one person. At the same time, it is justified by the proven durability of the vehicle.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
Efficient, but dark interior
The atmosphere of the Pilot is sober and dark. All the elements surrounding the cabin are black: roof, trim, dashboard, seats… Only the orange stitching, the TrailSport logo and the panoramic sunroof give it a little life. The windows are also generous, allowing good visibility.
At the control station, the instrumentation has a simple, no-frills interface. For its part, the 9-inch multimedia system (7 in the Sport) remains a model of ergonomics thanks to its large icons. Too bad the projection of the image from the reversing camera is tiny. Otherwise, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, while the Wi-Fi hotspot is optional.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
The 225-watt audio system with 9 speakers (7 in the Sport) is surprising and proves to be well calibrated. For those interested, a 12-speaker Bose Premium hi-fi system (including a subwoofer) is available.
Adapted to face everything
The Pilot TrailSport stands out for the comfort provided by its well-designed seats and its flexible suspension. The latter absorbs road imperfections adequately and rebounds slightly afterwards. On the other hand, this means that the front tends to dive when braking. This sensation is precisely accentuated on board this version since the ground clearance of 210 mm is greater than that of the other versions (185 mm).
Honda has confirmed to us that the spring rates have been revised. In fact, the front is more flexible, while the rear is firmer. The shock absorbers have also been retuned.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
Like many three-row mid-size SUVs, the Pilot houses a 6-cylinder under the hood. The 3.5-liter V6 develops 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque and everything is married to a 10-speed transmission. This is a relevant configuration since it delivers rapid acceleration, although the box hesitates from time to time. On recovery, it appears more prompt.
The Pilot offers five standard driving settings: Econ, Normal, Sport, Snow and Tow. Each changes the throttle response, steering and transmission responsiveness. From EX-L models and above, Sand and Trail modes are added. Both disengage the stability control – leaving more freedom for body movements –, distribute up to 50% of the torque to the rear and maintain high engine speeds.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
The main difference is in throttle response. In the first case, it is tuned aggressively to minimize delay. The second is, for its part, less incisive at low revs since it is used for driving at low speed. It also activates the cameras for an overview of the vehicle. In short, regardless of the mode chosen, the all-wheel drive proves competent and ready to face all the conditions of the Quebec climate.
Otherwise, some form of electrification is still awaited. It would reduce fuel consumption, as we recorded 12.1 L/100 km at the end of our test. In a previous test, we obtained 11 L/100 km in the summer season. In addition, the towing capacity reaches 2,268 kg (5,000 lb).
Photo: Dominic Boucher
Packed with security technologies
There is no shortage of safety equipment and gadgets on board. In general, the various Honda Sensing technologies are functional and preventative, but they tend to be intrusive. For example, the lane tracking system emits an audible warning light and a flash in the rearview mirror, even if the distance to the vehicle behind is great. Apart from these details, the Pilot has a rigid structure proven during crash tests carried out by the American organization Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) where he obtained the distinction Top Safety Pick + in 2024.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
For its part, the adaptive cruise control tends to overcorrect the trajectory. In a straight line, it stays on course. When turning, he sometimes takes a while to turn the steering wheel. Despite everything, it works well in all scenarios, even when it is very windy.
Finally, the Honda Pilot is one of the most capable vehicles in the segment due to its well-appointed and spacious interior, predictable handling, and proven safety and reliability. However, an electrified version is still conspicuous by its absence. In his defense, few players in the category offer one.
