Hondasxs
Club Founder
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Hands-on review of the 2023 Pioneer 1000-6 Crew from The HondaSxS Club.
There is no better way to experience the new 2023 Pioneer 1000-6 Crew than at Bull Run Ranch in Cascade, Montana. So, when Honda reached out and asked if we wanted to come to Montana and give it a shakedown, we just had to accept. I called up my good friend @Tramguage1, who was immediately on board, so we packed our bags our adventure started in North Carolina. We jumped on a plane and headed out west. After a good day of travel, we arrived in Great Falls, Montana, just in time to get our hands on a brand new Pioneer 1000-6 Crew. Time to get it dirty.
Upon arrival, we attended a presentation that covered the machine and goals Honda had set, followed by a Q&A session and dinner. Honda’s primary target is Texas, with 25% of sales allotted to this state alone. Honda anticipates this model will do well with Ranchers as well as cross-over sales in construction jobs and other related fields. MSRP for the Crew starts at $21,899, which we found respectful for this new model considering the current world issues. The Phantom Camo model lists at $22,699.
Afterward, we were able to hunt down some of the Honda guys and ask some more detailed questions concerning the changes, updates, and improvements for this model. For this review, we will focus on a few of the top improvements found on the 2023 Pioneer 1000-6 Crew.
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS!
First, let's knock out the seating. Front seats are fairly the same as the 1000-5, with the exception of a huge amount of under-seat storage and the open center allowing for easy access to the storage areas. For the rear seat, legroom was the main focus with the Crew. This machine offers best-in-class rear seating with 28 inches of knee room, with a staggered middle seat, that maximizes shoulder space. Overall, we had plenty of room to stretch our legs. The rear seat has all of the upgraded heat management panels and under-seat storage introduced with the updated 2022 models.STEERING IMPROVED BY 50%!
One of our top concerns was with steering. With a length of almost 13 feet long, 12.68 to be exact, we were shocked by how effortlessly we were able to maneuver this machine on the trail. Having owned Pioneer 1000 and Talon machines, we could immediately tell Honda had made some improvements. We were able to steer this machine with one hand and many times just with our fingers. Even throwing it in diff lock and taking some sharp corners, we barely noticed it pulling as diff lock normally does. The Crew model has a new EPS system featuring 50% more torque assist over the previous models. Paired with the upgraded steering rack and new tie rods, the Crew turned effortlessly through the entire adventure. The new Return-to-Center function helps recover from sharp turns with ease. It was a great new feature we enjoyed while taking the switchbacks up and down the mountain.TURNING RADIUS!
Initially, we gave this unit some heat for its length with concerns in regard to the turning radius. After a bit of seat time, we were surprised to find out otherwise. In fact, it turns better than a Talon R and just as good as the Talon X model. While it does turn wider than the 1000-5 it was not that noticeable. To put it to the test, the Honda guys took us on some mountain switchbacks that I know for a fact the Talon R would need to do a 2-point turn.DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION!
Anyone who has driven a 1000-5 or a Talon knows the shift pattern has a distinct “THUMP” between gear changes. With the new Crew, Honda put the focus on a smoother shifting pattern, especially when under heavy loads. Hard or slow, the machine shifted smoothly throughout its ranges. The programming improvements were immediately noticeable and welcomed. We also found the “Tow/Haul” mode to be similar to the “Sport” mode, but Honda said it was improved for better low-gear performance when towing. With a towing capacity of 2500 pounds, you can be sure it will get the job done.IMPROVED FRAME STRENGTH!
Starting in 2022, Honda improved the frame to eliminate any weak spots. The Crew takes this up a notch more, with focus placed on a dozen critical locations to help prevent bending and flexing. The frame is a complete one-piece unit and the roll bar thickness was increased for safety and bending resistance. In the images above, the dark blue has been improved for strength for the Crew model.OTHER IMPROVEMENTS!
Starting with the 2022 models, Honda made a dozen plus improvements that carried over to the Crew. These include a larger cooling fan, updated tie rods, refined DCT shifting, new 2x4/turf control system, new safety net configuration, new display, updated to CAN bus communications, improved sub trans parts, larger axle nuts, new front grill design, and many other small upgrades that make the new 2022 and 23 Pioneer 1000’s great machines. Other welcomed features include a 12v accessory port in the bed and upgraded wheel well protection for rider safety, along with larger cup holders.FINAL THOUGHTS.
Overall, this machine has its purpose and was built for that exact market. Farmers and contractors will find this model a top contender in the crew-size UTV market. Those with a large family looking for a fun adventure on the trail will find this model is exactly what they are looking for in a crew cab trail machine. Our thoughts venture into how awesome this machine would be for a multi-day camping/overlanding adventure with a group of close friends through the mountains of Tennesee or out west for a week-long adventure to the Arizona Peace Trail.Finally, we will leave you with some gorgeous scenery of Montana and the new 2023 Pioneer 1000-6 Crew.
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