2023 Pilot TrailSport is the Most Off-Road Capable Honda SUV Ever

For its 20th birthday, Honda gave the Pilot its fourth-generation redesign, bringing with it new rectilinear styling, a more upscale cabin, updated technology, a longer wheelbase, and a little more power. In addition, a new TrailSport model is added to the model line, which brings more off-road capability than any previous Honda model. Automotive enthusiast site The Detroit Bureau concurs stating that with the TrailSport, the Pilot now has “some gear to venture off-road”. 

All Pilots are powered by an updated version of its 3.5-liter V-6 engine, now with 285 horsepower, and 262 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough power to tow 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive, or 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive.

The New Off-Road Focused TrailSport 

Key to the Pilot TrailSport is an off-road-tuned suspension with an additional inch of ground clearance for increased approach, departure, and break-over angles. Unique stabilizer bars are optimized for articulation and off-road ride comfort. The TrailSport also gets specific spring rates and damper valve tuning. Putting this to the ground are all-terrain tires – a Honda first – for improved off-road traction. Robust steel skid plates protect the TrailSport’s oil pan, transmission, and gas tank and are thick enough to support the entire weight of the vehicle crashing down on a rock.

TrailSport’s standard Continental TerrainContact AT (265/60R18) tires are extremely capable in sand, mud, rocky terrain, and snow, but still quiet and comfortable on the road. Unique 18-inch wheels were carefully designed with inset spokes to protect them from trail damage.

Switch to Trail mode, and TrailSport’s exclusive trail torque logic off-road system manages the i-VTM4 torque vectoring system. It will distribute engine torque based on available traction while simultaneously utilizing the front brakes individually to apply brake vectoring – reducing wheelspin and maintaining traction. As much as 75% of power can be routed to the tire with the most traction. In addition is Honda’s first Hill Descent Control which is standard on every Pilot. The system increases off-road capability with more control on steep, slippery declines of 7% or more, allowing drivers to select speeds between 2 and 12 mph.

Watch Where You’re Going

The TrailSport also features the TrailWatch camera system, which uses four exterior cameras to help drivers navigate unseen obstacles such as blind crests, deep ruts, and the trail’s edge. When driving In Trail mode at speeds below 15 mph, the forward view camera automatically turns on and then deactivates when speeds rise above 15 mph. Camera washers keep the system useful when things get dirty.

The Detroit Bureau noted that all of the Pilots seats, including the 3rd row, are “habitable by adults” and described the driver’s position as particularly good. While noting that the Pilot TrailSport may still not be the vehicle of choice for the Rubicon trail, it is “off-road ready”. 

The Pilot has always been an exemplary family vehicle, and the new model only improves on that. But now campers and explorers will have additional confidence to venture further down a deteriorating trail. At the time of this writing, Rairdon’s Honda of Marysville has plenty of Pilots in their inventory, with TrailSport models on the way. Come and give the new Pilot a test drive and talk to our Finance Center about the best way to get one in your driveway.