Traditionally, the Honda Pilot isn’t an SUV you find out on the trails but the TrailSport trim is an off-road-focused trim of this three-row SUV.

The three-row Pilot is typically considered one of the most popular three-row midsize SUVs in the carpool lane. This SUV is often found taking the kids to school or carrying the team equipment for practice, but now it’s found elsewhere. The TrailSport trim is aptly named and equipped with the right stuff to head out on some trails for the wilderness wandering desired.

Let’s see what turns the carpool champion Honda Pilot into the TrailSport off-road beast.

Familiar power for the off-road Pilot

Honda hit a home run when they developed the 3.5-liter V6 engine that seems to power everything from the Passport to the Ridgeline. This engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission in the Pilot, giving this three-row SUV smooth acceleration and driving. You’ll enjoy 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque in this off-road SUV, which comes with standard AWD to handle the trails. If you need to bring a trailer, you can pull up to 5,000 pounds with the Pilot, which should be enough for a bass boat or camping trailer.

The new Pilot is larger than before

The new Honda Pilot TrailSport is part of the largest generation of Pilot’s ever made. This fourth-generation model is now 3.4 inches longer and has a 2.8-inch longer wheelbase than the previous version. The 2023 Pilot is nearly an inch taller than before, making it the chunkiest Pilot ever made. The cargo capacity of this SUV is now 87 cubic feet, with the second and third rows folded down. There’s plenty of room in every row for adults, making it easy to take a group out for a night on the town in this SUV.

What does the TrailSport trim include?

The TrailSport trim is the only off-road-focused trim of this three-row Honda SUV. Some of the trim-specific features you’ll find are:

• Standard AWD
• All-terrain tires
• Trail and Sand driving modes
• TrailWatch off-road camera
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Synthetic leather upholstery with orange stitching
• Second-row captain’s chairs
• Panoramic roof with moonroof
• 9-speaker audio system
• 9-inch touchscreen
• USB ports in all three rows
• Off-road suspension
• Increased ground clearance
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Skid plates
• Class III trailer hitch
• Front and rear recovery points
• Heated front wipers

Specialized settings make tackling trails easier

The new Honda Pilot TrailSport features specialized settings that enable this SUV to tackle various terrains. The low-speed trail and high-traction settings ensure you can take this SUV through the sand when you want to visit a remote beach or across a mud bog when you’ve got to get to the other side. You’ll find other settings that are great for climbing over rocks, driving on gravel, or facing the snow and ice of winter. If you’re looking for an excellent off-road SUV to drive to the ski lodge, the Pilot TrailSport could easily be the perfect SUV for the job.

Favorite features of the Honda Pilot

Some of the favorite features aren’t specific to the TrailSport but are part of the entire Pilot lineup or other trims. Features you might enjoy about this SUV are:

Traffic Jam Assist

This feature enables the Pilot to nearly drive itself through stop-and-go traffic. The sensors and cameras watch the surroundings and work the accelerator, brakes, and steering to make driving through a traffic jam much easier for you.

Walk Away Close

You don’t have to put things down when you’re unloading the Honda Pilot. If you have the Touring or Elite trims, the tailgate will close behind you when you walk away with the key fob in your pocket. How cool is that?

Wireless Connectivity

Although this feature is becoming more commonplace in today’s automotive market, the use of wireless technology to connect your smartphone to the infotainment system is something you’re sure to appreciate. You won’t need to bring your charging cord with you during your drive in the Honda Pilot TrailSport.

Wireless Phone Charging

Of course, if the vehicle is equipped with wireless connectivity, the most sensible inclusion is wireless phone charging as well. The Pilot has a wireless charging pad to make it easy for you to charge your phone while out on the road.

Will the Honda Pilot TrailSport become the adventurous SUV that you love to drive with your family? In this trim, the Pilot leaves the carpool lane behind in favor of adventures out in the wilderness.