The first 2023 Pilot vehicle left the assembly line today, and the employees at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant rejoiced. The Lincoln, Alabama plant has been producing the Pilot since it was first introduced for the 2003 model year, and this is the fourth generation of the well-known SUV.
- Over 1,500 associates celebrate all-new Honda Pilot SUV and engine built in Lincoln, Alabama
- Largest and most powerful SUV in Honda history required substantial production changes
- Rugged Pilot TrailSport model has unique features that add to manufacturing complexity
- 2023 Honda Pilot is built on a new platform, with an all-new engine and other new featur
The biggest SUV in the history of the brand is the 2023 Honda Pilot. It is longer and wider than its predecessor, built on a brand-new platform, and offers more interior space, including seating for up to eight people. It comes in five trim levels, including Sport, EX-L, Touring, Elite, and TrailSport, and has more rugged styling.
The Pilot is changing with the TrailSport. In comparison to earlier models of the family-friendly SUV, it offers more offroad capability than just a different trim package. All-terrain tyres, substantial steel skid plates to shield the engine and fuel tank, a raised off-road tuned suspension with an additional inch of ground clearance, and improved all-wheel drive system capabilities are among the features.
The middle seat in the second row of the new Pilot can be removed and stored underneath the cargo floor in the back rather than being left in place. Stowable second-row seats, which are available on the Touring and Elite models, are billed by Honda as a first-in-class feature for SUVs.
A new variation of Honda’s well-known 3.5-liter V6 dual overhead cam engine, which is also put together at the Alabama Auto Plant, is installed in all models. The 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque are slightly increased. Although no performance figures are yet available, it is anticipated that fuel economy and performance will gradually improve when coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2023 Pilot was created in the US, in addition to being assembled at the Alabama Auto Plant. The styling was done by the Honda Design Studio in California, and the development was done by Honda R&D engineers in Ohio.
Honda has sold over two million Pilots in the US, the large SUV’s main market, since 2006.