The Honda Pilot has long been one of the safest mainstream three-row SUVs available. But for 2023, Honda has taken things to a whole new level. The fully redesigned Pilot recently earned the highest possible safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) – the coveted Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award. This makes it one of the safest family vehicles on the market today.
In this blog post, I’ll highlight the Pilot’s standout safety features, crash test results, and other key factors that contribute to making it Honda’s newest safest SUV. As a family man myself, safety is my top priority when vehicle shopping. So I was pleased to see Honda go above and beyond to protect passengers of all ages in the new Pilot.
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Standout Safety Features
Table of Content
The 2023 Pilot comes standard with the latest Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver assist technology. This includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and more. These systems help prevent or reduce the severity of frontal impacts and lane departures.
One of my favorite new safety features is the expanded blind spot information system, which uses radar to detect vehicles in hard-to-see areas. This is a huge help when changing lanes on busy highways. The Pilot also debuts a new passenger side low speed braking system, which applies the brakes to avoid hitting obstacles detected while reversing, like bikes in the driveway.
For parents like me, the rear seat reminder and new safe exit assist feature provide peace of mind. The former alerts you to check the back seat when exiting to prevent leaving children or pets behind. And the latter warns rear passengers about oncoming traffic when opening doors to exit. These simple but important alerts add a layer of protection.
Top Safety Ratings
The comprehensive safety engineering built into the new Pilot has paid off in spades. In IIHS testing, it earned the highest possible ratings in all six crashworthiness categories. This includes the challenging driver side small overlap front and passenger side small overlap front tests that simulate severe frontal impacts.
The Pilot also merited a “Superior” rating for its collision prevention systems. And it was the only vehicle in the segment to earn a “Good” headlight rating – crucial for nighttime driving visibility. Simply put, the Pilot exceeded in every key area of IIHS testing to achieve its hard-earned TSP+ honor.
In government crash tests by the NHTSA, the Pilot similarly performed well, earning a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating. This indicates a very low risk of injury in a crash. Between its stellar results from both major testing bodies, the new Pilot establishes itself as a benchmark for safety.
Advanced Safety Engineering
The Pilot’s impressive safety stats are no accident. Honda engineers used the latest techniques in computer simulation and crash dynamics to optimize the Pilot’s structure, restraint systems, and more for maximum protection.
The new body incorporates Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. This uses strategic front frame structures to divert crash energy away from occupants in a frontal collision. Ultra-high-strength steel and extensive structural adhesives also help absorb and distribute impact forces.
Inside the cabin, the Pilot features eight total airbags to cushion occupants in a crash. These include an innovative new driver’s knee airbag mounted in the lower instrument panel. All three rows have 3-point seatbelts, and the second row positions have child safety tether anchors to properly secure car seats.
Finally, Honda’s exclusive i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system helps maintain control and stability on slick roads. This allows the Pilot to avoid accidents in the first place through enhanced all-weather handling and braking performance.
Family-Friendly Design
While safety was clearly the top priority, Honda’s designers also focused on passenger comfort and convenience. Parents will appreciate the multiple storage bins, USB charging ports, rear entertainment system, and standard rollover umbrella system in the Pilot.
The easier third row access provided by wide-opening rear doors is another family-friendly attribute. And you can always count on Honda for smart packaging and interior flexibility, like the Pilot’s versatile second row seats. These attributes reduce driver stress and let you focus on the road.
As a parent, I believe automakers have a duty to provide the best protection possible for families. In the 2023 Pilot, Honda has gone above and beyond this duty. I feel very reassured that my loved ones would be as safe as possible on the road in Honda’s newest SUV.
Conclusion
With its top-tier safety ratings, innovative engineering, and family-focused design, the all-new 2023 Honda Pilot represents a new benchmark for safety in its class. As Honda’s flagship SUV, it exemplifies the brand’s “Safety for Everyone” initiative through leading-edge active safety features, crashworthiness performance, and passenger-protecting technology.
After testing the Pilot myself, I can confidently say it is the safest Honda SUV ever. Both IIHS and NHTSA testing confirms its advanced crash protection abilities. Whether navigating congested city roads or embarking on a family road trip, the peace of mind provided by the 2023 Pilot is invaluable. Kudos to Honda for setting a new standard for three-row SUV safety.
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- 2023 Honda Pilot Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick
