2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was redesigned in 2022 and carried its modern elements into the 2023 model year with minimal changes, except for the new Rock Creek trim level. The Pathfinder seamlessly bridged traditional and future-forward design elements such as futuristic headlights with conventional lights and an angular C-pillar behind the rear door. This combination ensured that the Pathfinder maintained a fresh and contemporary appearance well into the future. Inside, the cabin offered clean lines and a practical layout, making it both pleasant to look at and user-friendly.

The trim levels included S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum. The base S trim featured 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable seats, push-button start, remote keyless entry, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moving to the SV trim introduced heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, remote start, Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL added side mirrors that tilted down in reverse, a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, wireless device charging, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and a 9-inch touchscreen system.

The Rock Creek trim, a rugged adaptation of the Pathfinder, featured off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, unique exterior styling, LED fog lights, a heavy-duty roof rack, standard four-wheel drive, and a slight horsepower increase. Its interior sported a dark aesthetic with water-repellent synthetic leather upholstery and orange accents, emphasizing its adventurous spirit. The top-tier Platinum trim level added enhanced leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, hands-free power liftgate, a wall-style power outlet, ventilated front seats, a fully digital instrument panel, and a power tilt-telescoping steering wheel.

The 2023 Honda Pilot received a comprehensive redesign that gave it a more rugged and substantial presence. It became larger in every dimension, measuring 3.4 inches longer, up to 1.5 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller. This robust appearance was particularly evident in its TrailSport model, which featured a taller ride height by one inch, unique 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates capable of supporting the vehicle's entire weight.

Inside, the Pilot retained a conventional yet attractive and functional interior design. The entry-level trims featured a seven-inch infotainment screen, while higher trims came with a nine-inch display. The EX-L and higher trims benefited from wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports across all rows. The Elite trim offered a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel. Functionally, the Pilot emphasized utility with a large rubberized shelf for devices and a stowable second-row center seat that could create a convenient pass-through to the third row.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was driven by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek version tuned this engine to generate 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Its power was delivered through a 9-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) variants. Despite Nissan calling it 4WD, its system wasn’t comparable to traditional, truck-like 4x4 setups. The Rock Creek model attempted to justify its rugged branding with added off-road capability, including a slightly taller suspension, off-road shocks, and standard AWD.

While off-road tires enhanced trail performance, they caused a rougher ride on paved roads due to increased vibrations. Nevertheless, the Pathfinder excelled in delivering sufficient power for urban and highway driving with a smooth and relatively quiet engine and transmission. However, the unique shifter design required acclimatization, as some drivers found it distracting and less intuitive. The Pathfinder's rotary drive mode dial was user-friendly, offering multiple modes such as Eco, Sport, Normal, Sand, Mud/Rut, Snow, and Towing, with an additional All-Terrain mode in the Rock Creek. The Rock Creek and some optional trims boasted a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds, significantly higher than the standard 3,500 pounds.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by a new 3.5-liter V6 engine that generated 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, with FWD as standard on most trims and AWD available across the lineup, becoming standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot’s responsive acceleration minimized delays, making it feel adequately powerful. While not particularly invigorating, the engine delivered a pleasant hum and growl when pushed hard.

The Pilot prioritized comfort with a soft brake pedal, smooth stops, and predictable cornering. Despite noticeable body roll, the SUV instilled confidence for conservative driving without encouraging sporty maneuvers. The off-road capabilities of the TrailSport model included one inch of additional ground clearance and all-terrain tires, which slightly increased road vibrations but offered significantly enhanced off-roading confidence. Unlike many SUVs with off-road capabilities, the Pilot maintained a comfortable and composed ride on paved roads, making it an excellent choice for family duties and outdoor adventures.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with both the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, cargo space was 45 cubic feet, and with all seats upright, it offered 16.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, which was average among midsize three-row SUVs. It slightly trailed competitors such as the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, and Hyundai Palisade.

Occupants in the first and second rows enjoyed ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for adults on shorter trips. The optional second-row captain’s chairs enhanced accessibility to the third row, featuring quick-release functionality. The Pathfinder boasted 12 cupholders throughout the cabin and multiple cubbies for gear storage. The Rock Creek trim's roof racks could handle up to 220 pounds, providing a practical solution for transporting additional cargo. However, the proximity of the roof rack to the car roof posed a challenge for snow removal.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior, while more conventional in comparison with recent Honda designs, featured a practical dash shelf for the front passenger. The lower trims came with a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, and higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Elite trim’s touchscreen seemed small for the dashboard space but remained functional. Key controls for climate and drive modes were logically placed, and the storage options, such as a large rubberized shelf beneath the climate controls, two large cupholders, and a substantial center console bin, were thoughtfully designed.

The standout feature of the Pilot's interior was the stowable second-row center seat, which could be removed to create a pass-through to the third row. This was particularly useful for families with a child seat in place. The second row provided abundant space for adults over six feet tall, while the third row, though less comfortable for long trips, was adequate for average-sized adults.

The Pilot offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which expanded to 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded and up to 114.3 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down. This represented approximately 30 percent more capacity than the Kia Telluride, which maxed out at 87 cubic feet.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum offered a larger 9-inch touchscreen. Although the graphics and camera resolution were considered low-quality, the system's ease of use, with logical menus and physical buttons, was a major asset.

Standard tech features included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. Higher trims such as the SV added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL introduced wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, and an additional third-row USB port. The Platinum trim included a second third-row USB port. While not cutting-edge, the Pathfinder’s tech suite was sufficient for keeping devices connected and charged.

The 2023 Honda Pilot encouraged tech-savvy buyers to consider at least the EX-L trim, which provided a larger infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and USB ports in all rows. Higher trims featured a multi-view camera system, with the Elite trim offering a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel.

The touchscreen system was responsive with an intuitive layout, prioritizing functionality over flashy graphics. Features like Honda's CabinTalk, which acted as an interior PA system, were particularly beneficial for families. The Touring and Elite trims included navigation, Bose premium audio, remote monitoring, and control via a smartphone app, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and for the TrailSport and Elite trims, the multi-view TrailWatch camera system designed for off-roading.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward and reverse collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SV trim upgraded to ProPilot Assist, which added lane centering and adaptive cruise control, while the SL trim incorporated front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Platinum trim topped off the safety features with rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display.

The 2023 Honda Pilot also boasted extensive safety features as part of the Honda Sensing suite. This included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a traffic sign reader, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. The EX-L and higher trims added low-speed automatic braking, front and rear parking sensors, and surround-view camera systems for the TrailSport and Elite trims.

Although crash test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were pending, Honda anticipated top scores and received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. In real-world driving, the Pilot’s advanced safety features performed effectively without any false alarms, and its adaptive cruise control smoothly maintained safe following distances.