2023 Honda Pilot Elite

The perennially popular 3-row Pilot, Honda's largest crossover SUV, debuted in 2003 and received a full redesign in 2023. Now in its fourth generation, the Pilot has a more rugged, aggressive facade. Sharp angles and creases replace rounded corners and curved surfaces for a handsome look that maintains a family resemblance to the HR-V, CR-V, and Passport crossovers. The Pilot's new V6 engine delivers smooth but merely adequate power. It gets a bump of just 5 hp compared with the outgoing engine, and fuel economy—at 21 mpg in combined driving—is mediocre. A new 10-speed transmission replaces the 2022 Pilot's 9-speed transmission. The Pilot's ride is serene and comfortable, although the brake pedal on our test vehicle had a soft, spongy feel. Front-wheel drive is standard on most trim levels, and all-wheel drive is a $2,100 option. On the off-road-oriented TrailSport and the Elite trims, all-wheel drive is standard. The Pilot's voluminous cabin has a sensible layout, lots of headroom and legroom for first- and second-row passengers, and plenty of storage cubbies—although there's some use of cheap plastic trim. Other desirable details include a full complement of advanced safety features on most trim levels, tri-zone climate control, and Cabin Talk, which enables people in the front row to communicate with those in the second and third rows via the rear speakers.