For a $75 ticket value, guests to the Sedona, Arizona space can join a Jeep tour to get up-close and private with the picturesque countryside. Most outfitters present passengers with an open-air, bumpy jump-seat introduction to the wilderness – with mud, mud, and climate situations included at no further cost!

Whereas Sedona’s 3.3-mile round-trip drive on Damaged Arrow Path to the “Hen Level” Lookout is comparatively brief in size, it is among the extra technical stretches of highway in Sedona for off-road fans. In reality, the path’s entry level has a rock impediment that locals known as the “Gatekeeper.” It serves as a deterrent for individuals who do not need the driving ability stage – or the automotive gear – to proceed and traverse the go safely.

Not too long ago, Honda hosted a handful of journalists in Sedona for the press launch of the all-new fourth-generation Honda Pilot three-row crossover, and I used to be among the many fortunate attendees to be a part of it. I saddled up within the driver seat of a Pilot TrailSport with Honda growth group member Jed Aston at my aspect within the passenger seat. He coached me on the ins and outs of not solely my off-roading technique, but additionally the deserves of the car that he and his group have been invested in for the final 5 years.

Based mostly on my expertise conquering Damaged Arrow: Jed and his teammates nailed it.

Pilot Mannequin Historical past

The Pilot is now 20 years outdated which oddly sufficient means the oldest era is approaching basic standing. First launched in 2003, this three-row, midsize crossover has been successful for the Honda model, promoting over 100,000 items per yr constantly for over the previous decade. As Honda’s largest sport-utility car, the Pilot developed a popularity for its versatile cargo-carrying capability, easy journey, and multi-terrain {qualifications}.

Every era has developed in dimension, gear, and functionality within the twenty years that adopted, with the second era launching in 2009 and the third era 2016. Exterior strains grew to become sleeker because the years went on, with the third-generation attaining a ten % discount in drag in comparison with the prior model. Together with the design revisions, know-how and powertrains obtained related consideration: In 2017, all trims apart from LX obtained Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And in 2021, a brand new nine-speed transmission grew to become customary throughout the board.

To some people, the Pilot drifted away from its go-anywhere goal, since design aesthetic used softer strains and the underpinnings had been primarily street-focused. Engineers got down to change that course for 2023.

What’s New for 2023

The fourth-generation Pilot was first revealed in November 2022 and went into manufacturing the next month at Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama manufacturing facility. Designers got down to create a extra succesful Pilot irrespective of the terrain. With that in thoughts, the size, wheelbase, and observe width had been elevated. The hood was lengthened, and the aspect profile obtained a powerful horizontal beltline. Following are some specifics on the options Honda up to date.

Inside

Honda resurrected some fan favorites to the gear record, together with a shallow parcel shelf on the passenger aspect of the dashboard for smaller objects. The decrease tray within the middle console can accommodate two smartphones aspect by aspect, too. Design group representatives joked, “Everyone knows what that feels wish to lose a mobile phone between the seat and the middle console, so why not construct a spot to place it?”

I didn’t get the possibility to place the second or third rows to the take a look at, however that’s one space the place the brand new Pilot shines. In a class-exclusive function, on most Pilot trim ranges, the middle seat within the second row is detachable and might be stowed in a cargo tray on the rear of the car. This jogged my memory of the first-generation CR-V which supplied a folding picnic desk in the identical space – a typical show Honda innovation and space-efficiency.

Including to that record of inside enhancements are 14 cupholders, a configurable 10.2-inch digital show on Elite fashions, illuminated USB charging ports, and an out there Bose 12-speaker audio system.

Powertrain

Underneath the hood resides a 3.5-liter J-Collection V6 with output of 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque — a five-horsepower bump from the earlier mannequin. Torque is transferred to all 4 corners by way of a 10-speed automated transmission (by the way, that’s double the variety of gears that propelled the first-generation Pilot). Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system (a primary for the Pilot) detects and corrects wheel spin. Honda didn’t make point out of any upcoming hybrid or EV Pilot variants, and gas financial system is rated at 20 miles per gallon mixed metropolis/freeway.

Packaging

In typical Honda vogue, there are a number of trim ranges out there on the brand new Pilot: LX, Sport, TrailSport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Pricing factors vary from $35,950 to $52,030.

Within the prior era Pilot, Honda began pushing the Pilot extra into the off-road realm by including the TrailSport trim in 2022. This providing grows much more complete within the latest Pilot, providing gear resembling a one-inch suspension elevate, distinct 18-inch wheels, a regular hitch, three skid plates, restoration factors, a tuned suspension, stabilizer bars, hill descent management, all-terrain tires, a full-size spare tire, and distinctive trim.  

Piloting the Pilot

Now the vital half: How’s the drive? The terrain round Sedona was the proper proving floor for our analysis, as we got down to discover the area on pre-determined routes.

The primary half of my day befell in on-road driving environments, the place I had the chance to pattern TrailSport and Elite fashions in a roughly 50-mile loop close to the Prescott Nationwide Forest and Freeway 89A. The Pilot is as predictable and confidence-inspiring as an on a regular basis passenger automobile, even with its greater clearance and cargo versatility. The three.5-liter V6 offered good punch with out being intrusive in noise or harshness. I loved opening the panoramic roof, which Honda identified is a class-exclusive function for an eight-passenger car.

The Sedona space had seen rain and snow within the days main as much as the occasion, so the again roads had been slick. In reality, Damaged Arrow Path was closed within the early morning hours to permit the frost to soften, however I obtained to expertise it later within the day in a TrailSport mannequin.

My takeaway of the expertise was simply how simple the Pilot made issues. The “level and shoot” confidence made for a formidable feeling, particularly since I had heard from Jeep-owning pals how technical the path could possibly be. Some sections of the highway had been slender, so Jed and I used the sideview and hen’s eye digital camera angles on the “TrailWatch” system to get a greater have a look at our environment on the nine-inch touchscreen monitor.

We had been additionally capable of put the brand new Hill Descent Management function to a take a look at. It holds a continuing low pace and manipulates the brake and accelerator to reduce slip. There have been occasions when notably rugged terrain brushed the underside. “It’s designed for that,” Jed stated. The skid plates are engineered to take your complete weight of the car upon affect – that’s how sturdy they’re. I discovered the turning radius, journey, and traction-control programs to be effectively optimized for the climb. The gorgeous view on the summit was a crowning reward for the engineering group who labored onerous to refine this car for exactly most of these adventures.  

Takeaways

If historical past holds true, Honda may have successful on its fingers with this newest model of the favored Pilot. It’s a gateway to journey within the outdoor – to not point out it affords much more creature comforts than a foam jump-seat in a Jeep tour convoy. As we handed every Jeep group on the path from the consolation of our easy journey, heated seats, heated steering wheel, and trendy conveniences, I attempted to maintain my sly grin to myself. The Pilot is simply that good.

Keep tuned to extra on the ClassicCars.com Journal in regards to the upcoming Pilot and different fashions.