The 2023 Honda Pilot Interior is Spacious but Lacking in Other Ways...

[@ejohnson3131]

I really don’t need all those screens from Hyundai and Kia you keep bringing up. It’s just a lot of glare. I’ve driven one and it was just a lot of glare in sunnier climates. I prefer Honda’s reliability, resale value and the capable 4WD system in the TrailSport for the occasional weekend light off-road camping trips.

[@heatherlacey-tangedahl2940]

I agree. Also on the cooling seats. Living in a climate that sees more rain than sunshine a yr.. heat is definitely more important imo. 😅 partial biased on the modle since I've owned 2 pilots. To me, this looks like a great update, and I'd be thrilled to drive it.

[@keiserious]

I love the new Honda universal dashboard but for $50k, the new Mazda CX-90 is a better option with its qualities.

[@04tsxpower]

Absolutely love the simplicity and dials. Just plain simple

[@TheLadiesman0815]

I love simple too but it’s $50k. Needs to be cheaper

[@jsfbay1]

Agree that the interior doesn't pop at all - Honda surely knew about the Korean twins during the design phase, yet still chose to go more utilitarian. Same for the infotainment screen. Makes me wonder what vehicle they were benchmarking... The one big thing they get right (at least in the Elite trim) is the 2nd-row bench with removeable middle section. I have a family of 5 and I need all 3 kids in the 2nd row. So many brands/models force me into captains chairs to get the top trim (I'm looking at you Grand Highlander/Telluride/Palisade/etc.)

[@naveenthemachine]

The pilot at least pops better than a highlander so there’s that I’m sure they benchmarked more expensive European cars like perhaps an Audi q7 or something like that? Because they clearly benchmarked Audi in the accord and civic

[@jsfbay1]

@@naveenthemachine I agree that Honda was looking at Audi for the sedans. I also agree that I prefer the Honda interior to the Highlander. I recognize that we've already seen the interior of the GH, and I know you saw the GH in person, but right now Toyota is hosting a drive event for the GH in Hawaii, with an embargo date of the end of the month. I'm sure we'll both be interested in hearing what the reviewers have to say.

[@naveenthemachine]

@@jsfbay1 they’ll probably not recommend it over the telluride pilot or palisade. The GH doesn’t do anything better than those rivals

[@aeneas116116]

What would y’all recommend for similar price range since y’all seem to feel that other vehicles offer more.

[@blackwhirlwind1245]

If it gets accord’s bigger screen, plus available hybrid powertrain, also get rid of fake exhaust tips, it would be the best in the segment hands down.

[@dadoo985]

I agree. Those exhaust are hideous

[@chrisjr6942]

**The biggest thing to note** Trailsport and Touring models are the same price (within less than $1,000 of each other) so if you want more features buy the touring and you will get some of the competitors features for the same price just no "off road" features.

[@Thundercats-HOOOOO]

Best car review channel!

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thank you!

[@im_an_alvani]

The Korean brands definitely have Honda beat here, albeit the love affair with gloss black just needs to go. Great overview!

[@naveenthemachine]

But this definitely beats the highlander so there’s that

[@Blank00]

Still hands down better than the interiors of the refreshed Atlas amd Ascent. I'd rather have dull over flashy if flashy means sacrificing ergonomics.

[@terence4427]

I disagree, the '23 Ascent interior, imo, is much nicer than the Pilot, just go on Edmunds to compare what you get for the money. The Ascent is a much better value.

[@Blank00]

@@terence4427 feature wise, yes. However, the Ascent has integrated a lot of things innto the screen that are better off as hard buttons, which is less ergonomical due to the lack of tactile feedback. Integrating more functions from hard buttons to a screen is a lazy way to grow the screen size.

[@terence4427]

@@Blank00 . Good point

[@terence4427]

Excellent review!!!!!!! Over 50k for the Honda Trailsport trim is ridiculous, and I totally agree with Beth, for the money the interior should be more attractive. Not at all a good value. As an FYI, the AWD EX-L trim is 46k with destination and doesn't come with roof rails, though the lower trims come with this accessory. Honda, Toyota, Kia, Ford, and Hyundai have ALL taken advantage of consumers, and will soon reap the consequences because these manufacturers have made buying a new vehicle out of reach for the average consumer. Consumers are already starting to buy from other manufacturers in record numbers because of availability and no price gouging.

[@fredmoss4540]

Beth The 1st Generation Ridgeline 2006-2014 has the passenger side cubby. I think the 2nd Gen Pilot may have had also. I think owners previous owners wanted it back. I know some 1st Gen Ridgeline owners missed it on 2nd Generation. So they brought it back.

[@ayaztariq]

Is it a good time to buy a new car, I have heard pricing are going to drop in 2024?

[@fredmoss4540]

Yes people forget Pilot has a cousin vehicle. The Acura MDX so you can't expect them to get into there territory.

[@Slimothy]

*Honda has dropped the ball in just about every aspect lately. No more V6 Accords, no manual, lackluster interiors, those "ipad-like" displays... just all around horrible decisions by Honda. And they used to be one of my favorites. Yikes.*

[@naveenthemachine]

Nah Hondas just fine If they weren’t the accord civic CRV pilot wouldn’t be the class leaders or segment benchmarks Yet they are so you’re absolutely wrong

[@Slimothy]

@@naveenthemachine You can drop the ball while being a class leader. It takes time for numbers to adjust. 🤣 Watch and see buddy

[@Blank00]

At least Honda got ergonomics right, unlike VW with their refreshed Atlas. Even VW admitted that their interiors are terrible because of the lack of buttons and promised to bring back buttons, but they broke that promise when they refreshed the Atlas and introduced the ID7. There are people that prefer a dull and ergonomical interior over an unergonomical interior with a wow factor.

[@naveenthemachine]

@@Slimothy civic accord pilot crv would love to chat…

[@OKMadCat]

The trail sport should have more plastic in it though…? To be easier to clean up or dust off from people getting in and out of the elements? Makes sense to me at least. Maybe more soft touch stuff?

[@AdamJakowenko]

Woo hoo the dynamic duo are back! Love these interior reviews. It's crazy how much bigger everything has gotten with Hondas over the years (except their screens LOL). How do we collectively as a human race convey to automakers to quit it with the piano black?! Maybe we get picket signs and start a chant…"Cooled seats for my back, and no piano black!" 😁

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Haha good idea! Being serious though, it's just a trend and it appears that some companies are already phasing it out, hopefully the trend is short lived.

[@im_an_alvani]

@@MattMaranMotoring As much as I don't like the piano black I think the fake chrome trim in Dodge products of the mid aughts was so much worse. Literally blinding in the sun and only highlighted how bad the rest of the interior was.

[@ewerthouy248]

Love your videos

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks for watching them!

[@blackwhirlwind1245]

It definitely beats the regular highlander with 4 cylinder turbo engine for sure, it has better drivetrain and better AWD, plus more space and available removable middle seat.

[@dannnnnny]

I think its fine… but its certainly not competitive to the Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia. Honda really needs to be careful here. As a 2023 model year, consumers will likely be alright with this. But in a few years, we’ll certainly see larger and larger screens from other automakers (who already adapted 12+ inch screens) and Honda may quickly fall behind on their tech.

[@naveenthemachine]

But it’s a lot better than a highlander

[@Jindobretyskie]

They already behind

[@naveenthemachine]

@@Jindobretyskie if they were their cars wouldn’t be winning awards and accolades and setting the standard in their segment

[@qdood]

Thanx Matt n beth

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks for watching!

[@ledebuhr1]

Matt, I hope Honda Engineers are watching this video. It's almost like Honda doesn't think they need to be competitive because their products will sell because "it's a Honda". I'm not sure if that works anymore. Even Kia/Hyundai are reliable. Everybody has recalls. I'm hoping for an aggressive MMC, with most of the improvements in the interior.

[@naveenthemachine]

Nah. Hondas just fine Besides why else are the civic CRV accord pilot the class lessers / segment benchmarks? Why do some of them refer to Hondas as the “bmw 3 series” of the segment? Exactly.

[@mp-sv2cp]

Kia and Hyundai is trash. Literally trash

[@mp-sv2cp]

Hyundai and kias are all about gimmicks. Honda is simplicity and durability. Which I prefer.

[@johnholst]

Always love your reviews Matt! But you're mistaken when you say this is more spacious than the class leading Korean twins. They boast 117.9 inches in combined leg room while this Honda has 114.3. Still better than most! But not quite "the most spacious".

[@tedadamgreen]

Thanks for a good solid review!

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks for watching Ted!

[@michaelkranbuhl7752]

"Old fashioned maps"......🤣

[@garrymilner3294]

The both of you have made comments about the interior being a little plasticly. I do want to point out that you are in the Trailsport trim. I think it might be a good idea to have hard plastic surfaces to clean. This SUV is for the mud and off roading

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Totally can appreciate that, but I don't think it gets any nicer in the higher trims.

[@fredmoss4540]

​@@MattMaranMotoring They can't make it better than MDX.

[@luis-lopez6643]

Honda. simple, reliable, and durable. What more does one need?

[@Nestle245]

Crazy how the new Accord and Pilot came out at the same time but they gave the Accord the bigger screen. It would fit better on the Pilot.

[@blackwhirlwind1245]

It would be better to have bigger screen on both cars. I really hope Honda put the bigger screen on the Pilot for the 2024 model year instead of waiting for refresh.

[@fredmoss4540]

It might have been availability supply. They might have had to choose.

[@jazzbeau507]

Agree KIA is better interior. How did Honda fall so far behind.

[@fredmoss4540]

Honda prioritized Driving Dynamics.

[@devinhill1718]

​@@fredmoss4540 And reliability.

[@mp-sv2cp]

Yeh that Kia will break down in a year

[@jazzbeau507]

@@mp-sv2cp Glad you reminded me; Kia has better warranty.

[@devinhill1718]

@@jazzbeau507 they also have a reputation for weaseling out of warranty repairs at every opportunity...

[@Suction_]

I liked it, but didn't love it. LX and Sport are useless trims. EX-L really is the baseline for what you'd expect for mid 40k. I went with a highlander. More features for around the same money.

[@luiscruz-if1sg]

I rather have the Honda Pilot over the Kia or Hyundai just my opinion

[@fredmoss4540]

Again based on other reviews the Pilot drives better. Honda priorities were Driving Dynamics. They also don't want to cannibalize Acura MDX base sales.

[@KW-1754]

If you're going to cannibalize something, you might as well cannibalize your own. As steve jobs said. If you don't do it, someone else will.

[@kdomster9141]

As usual for Honda, cheapest way to design , make it big and call it engineering.

[@biggmaki]

basically its worth it to move up to mdx.

[@fredmoss4540]

MDX more money also Premium fuel.

[@Blank00]

My guess about the interiors not being as plush as the HRV is that if Honda did adopt plush interiors for the Pilot, then the Pilot would be criticized for being feminine, which was the main reason why people liked to roast on the previos gen Pilot. But since plastic is more durable than leather, new Pilot adopted the plastic to avoid the feminine stigma of its predecessor.

[@jpmackin]

BETH😍

[@seattlebeast6165]

What boring cars Honda makes

[@naveenthemachine]

But it’s way nicer than the highlander and GH The pilot has better quality all the way around from the door slams to the expensive feeling physical controls to good tech to top notch handling performance cargo space and legroom

[@matthewalexis]

Tech, performance, cargo space and legroom all are better on the GH.

[@kajukuja]

🙂👍

[@ewerthouy248]

Second

[@xaionik]

WEAK interior. Honda fans will love it like always.