Honda’s Pilot is now 20 years old, with the all-new 2023 model marking the start of its fourth generation as Honda’s largest SUV and three-row family hauler. The Pilot’s latest redesign follows the pattern you might expect from any all-new SUV, meaning it’s bigger inside and out, offers larger display screens for the driver and front passenger, a more powerful-yet-more-fuel-efficient drivetrain, and improved off-road capabilities.

That last improvement is the one Honda is touting the loudest for the all-new Pilot, as the automaker’s research told it an increasing number of families are going camping in 2023 (up 77 percent since 2015). The new TrailSport-specific trim features an off-road tuned suspension with a 1-inch higher ride height, steel underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a “Trail” mode driver’s setting meant to optimize traction on uneven surfaces. We recently tested a 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport to get a sense of the newest Pilot’s adventuring chops.

Honda also added a new hill descent control system to the Pilot TrailSport, which limits downhill speed to between 2 and 12 mph on steep declines. Low-speed maneuvers are further enhanced by a new Trailwatch camera system that comes on below 12 mph when the Pilot is in Trail mode. Trailwatch includes front, top and side view cameras, with touchscreen controls that make it easy to switch between views. The Trailwatch camera system automatically turns off above 15 mph.

Our experience on a moderately-aggressive off-road trail allowed us to utilize these features as intended. Our path included inclines and declines, some shallow water crossings and several miles of fire road travel. The Pilot never felt out of its comfort zone in these circumstances, with enough ground clearance to avoid impacts and sufficient traction to scale sudden elevation changes. And the Trailwatch system added confidence when navigating narrow corridors and during a multi-point U-turn.

Honda isn’t claiming the latest Pilot TrailSport is Rubicon-Trail-ready, but the automaker knows most families aren’t looking for that level of off-road proficiency. During development it validated the TrailSport’s ground clearance, off-road torque vectoring system, and skid plate protection on a number of off-road paths throughout North America. Honda describes the Pilot TrailSport as “beyond the trailhead” capable, a classification that works for us.

Of course even adventurous families still spend more time driving on paved surfaces than scaling rocks, and the all-new Pilot reflects that reality. The bulk of its improvements for 2023 manifest in areas like the all-new interior with increased second- and third-row legroom, greater cargo space, a larger (optional) driver’s display screen, and a streamlined infotainment control system. The Pilot’s removable center seat in the second row, a seat that can be stored under the cargo area’s floor, is a particularly useful feature for managing a wide range of passenger needs.

The new Pilot’s on-pavement ride quality and driving dynamics are another bright spot in this three-row SUV’s pedigree. The 3.5-liter V6 provides smooth acceleration, with a peak 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque on tap. The Pilot now features a 10-speed automatic, and while it delivers seamless shifts it’s clear that ever-rising fuel economy standards require tuning the drivetrain for mpg first, performance second. The 2023 Honda Pilot is EPA-rated at 18 city mpg, 23 high mpg, and 20 mpg in mixed driving.

A new Sport mode livens up throttle and transmission response, and should satisfy the Pilot’s target buyer looking for a more vibrant experience than the default Normal mode offers. There’s also Econ, Sand, and Snow settings, along with the aforementioned Trail mode for Pilots with all-wheel drive. A new Tow setting adds to the Pilot’s utility, with a 3,500-pound capacity for front-wheel-drive models and 5,000 pounds for all-wheel-drive Pilots.

The 2023 Honda Pilot is offered in six trim levels, with the base LX, front-wheel drive model starting at $38,465 and the top trim Elite (with standard all-wheel drive) starting at $53,855. Our Pilot TrailSport checked in at $50,500, including all-wheel drive, “Diffused Sky” (gray) paint, which cost $455, and a long list of premium amenities like a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, a heated windshield, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and three-zone automatic climate control.

Every Honda Pilot also includes the Honda Sensing safety package, which means they all benefit from adaptive cruise control (with the ability to stop and start the Pilot’s forward motion in heavy traffic), automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and road departure mitigation (works to minimize a vehicle from continuing to travel after unintentionally leaving the roadway). Automatic high beams and door locking when walking away from the Pilot are also included.

The three-row, family-friendly SUV category is hyper-competitive these days, with excellent choices from Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Toyota. This newest Honda Pilot holds its own in this capable group, particularly in the areas of interior space, family-friendly features (including lots of cupholders and USB ports) and overall refinement. But anyone shopping this category should sample several models before buying. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.