2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport

As we wrote in our review of the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek, many of the manufacturers are looking to position their family SUVs as being more off-road capable, or “rugged” if you prefer. There are the appearance upgrades, of course, that shout out “This SUV Is Capable” to others on the road, but of course, it is the mechanical and electronic upgrades that get the job done.

Honda introduced an all-new Pilot mid-sized three-row SUV for the 2023 model year, and a more capable soft-road family rig you couldn’t hope for. But of course, there was room for more capability within the basic limitations of the platform itself. Enter the TrailSport.

Actually, there had been the beginnings of the model in previous Pilots and the smaller Passport SUV, but for the new Pilot, Honda has upped its game with new applications of technology, combined with traditional solutions.

Primary among the latter group are raised ride height (by an inch), softer front anti-roll bar and suspension tuning, skid plates underneath to protect the machinery, and 265/60-18 all-terrain tires with a more coarse tread design. As you might expect, the resulting increased capability off-road is countered by a less refined and capable on-road driving experience. The ride remains smooth thanks to the softer suspension and 18-inch tires (vs 20-inch on regular Pilots) but the handling composure is a bit compromised.

The aforementioned boost in technology is primarily in the all-wheel drive system. AWD is not typically considered the system to have for serious off-roading, but it can be made to perform beyond snow and gravel environments with electronic enhancement, and this, Honda has done. They call the AWD system Intelligent Variable Torque Management, and in Trail driving mode (one of several the driver can choose among), the “Trail Torque Logic” algorithm will send up to 70 percent of torque to the rear wheels, and 75 percent of that rear torque to the wheel with the most traction. We tried it out on a brief off-road course that we might have hesitated to attempt with a ‘normal’ AWD set-up, and the Pilot did very well, although with the longer wheelbase, one should always be concerned with high-centering. This torque-vectoring, as it has come to be known generically, also benefits on-road handling.

We think very few TrailSport owners will push the boundaries of its off-road capabilities, so it has to be the complete package for everyday on-road family use, and it is. It is longer than the last generation Pilot by a few inches, and that length has been put to good use inside, with the third row seat in particular being almost suitable for adults, not something one has come to expect. Of course, with that rear-most seat folded down, as we’d expect most of them to be, the cargo area is quite capacious.

The view from the driver’s seat, which is covered in easy-clean leatherette, shows a lot of analogue controls like knobs and buttons, especially for the HVAC system, which are much appreciated over digital controls. Especially given that the touchscreen is towards the smallish side these days at 9 inches. Maybe that is not as crucial, as there is no navigation available on TrailSport. Nor is there a second-row bench seat; the product planners have specified two captain’s chairs, making the TrailSport a seven-seater at most. There are storage bins and cupholders everywhere. The audio is a 225-watt 9-speaker system that is okay, but the premium Bose audio is not available at this level.

The TrailSport, like all Pilots, comes with a full suite of advanced safety gear, including lane-departure warning and keeping assistance, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Mechanically, Honda has kept with the V6 engine for all its larger vehicles, resisting what seems to be the trend towards large four-cylinders with turbos in the bigger SUVs. Not only that, it is a new design with what we believe to be a first in mainstream V6s for Honda – double overhead cams. Also, it marks the departure of the VTEC system which prioritized high-rpm power. The company says that the new direction is primarily to address current and future emissions standards. It is smooth in a way that no turbo four can be, but those fours put out more torque low down, and you need to rev the V6 a bit to get the acceleration you want, with peak torque at a lofty 5,000 rpm. Backing it up is a ten-speed automatic, so the engine will stick in the best power range at all times. A towing package is standard, with a 5,000-pound rating.

So, the Pilot TrailSport is Honda’s entry into the ‘rugged’ family SUV arena, and on balance, we think it is an attractive package that gives an active family more opportunity to go off the beaten path for that adventure. But if you really have no need for capability beyond snow and gravel, take a look at the ‘normal’ Pilots.

Specifications