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2021 Honda Pilot

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Used Car Price Range
$25,367 - $35,334
$25,367 $35,334
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2021 LX 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $32,550
2021 LX 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,550
2021 EX 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $35,230
2021 EX 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $37,230
2021 EX-L 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $38,660
2021 Special Edition 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $39,260
2021 EX-L 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $40,660
2021 Special Edition 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $41,260
2021 Touring 8 Passenger 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $43,220
2021 Touring 7 Passenger 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $43,520
2021 Touring 8 Passenger 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $45,220
2021 Touring 7 Passenger 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $45,520
2021 Elite 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $48,720
2021 Black Edition 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $50,220
Expert Rating
3.3 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

What's New

The 2021 Honda Pilot is available in a new trim level this year, the midrange Special Edition. The base LX gains dual-zone automatic climate control, and the previously optional nine-speed automatic transmission is now standard across the board.

Honda's three-row SUV received its last significant update in 2019.

Choosing Your Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot now comes in seven trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. Pricing starts at $33,370 including destination and climbs all the way to $51,040 for the Black Edition.

Engine Choices

The Pilot carries 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. All models use a nine-speed automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive comes standard on the Elite and Black Edition, and costs $2,000 everywhere else in the lineup. The Pilot is capable of towing 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive, and 5,000 pounds with AWD.

According to EPA estimates, the Pilot gets 20 miles per gallon city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined with FWD, or 19/26/22 mpg (city/highway/combined) with AWD.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Honda Pilot is one of the larger midsize SUVs on the market and can easily accommodate up to eight passengers. Passenger capacity dips to seven with second-row captain's chairs, which are optional on the Touring ($300) and standard on the Elite and Black Edition.

There's 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, and 46.8 cubic feet with it folded. With the second row folded as well, the Pilot can swallow 83.9 cubic feet of stuff.

Honda Pilot

Safety Features

The Pilot comes standard with active safety technology like lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning.

The EX and above also get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Front and rear parking sensors become standard at the Touring trim level.

The Pilot has been an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus since the 2016 model year. The 2021 model also carries a five-star overall safety rating with the NHTSA.

Connectivity

The Pilot starts out with a 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, seven speakers, and a front USB port. Stepping up to the EX brings an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – features that most buyers consider essential these days.

The EX-L adds a pair of rear USB ports, while wireless devices charging comes on the Special Edition, Elite, and Black Edition. Navigation, a 10-speaker audio system, wi-fi hot spot capability, and a 10.2-inch rear entertainment system become standard starting on the Touring

Honda Pilot

LX - From $33,370

The Pilot LX comes with common features like dual-zone automatic climate control, push button start, rear privacy glass, LED headlights and taillights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Buyers wishing to ditch the small touchscreen will have to spring for another trim.

EX - From $36,050

Along with the 8-inch touchscreen and blind-spot monitoring, the EX adds a 10-way power driver seat, heated front seats, remote start, LED fog lights, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, and a power-sliding and -folding second row.

EX-L - From $39,480

The EX-L takes the Pilot upmarket with leather upholstery, a moonroof, memory for the driver seat and side mirrors, a four-way power passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power liftgate, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Special Edition - From $40,080

The new Special Edition distinguishes itself with black 20-inch wheels and exterior trim. On the functional side, buyers get wireless device charging, roof rails, and a hands-free power tailgate.

Touring - From $44,040

The Touring adds heated outboard second-row seats, blue LED interior ambient lighting, chrome door handles, and 20-inch alloy wheels. All this comes in addition to the numerous connectivity upgrades. Wireless device charging isn't offered, but it reappears on the next trim.

Elite - $49,540

The Elite comes standard with AWD, a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors. Interior luxury takes a leap forward with perforated leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, standard second-row captain's chairs with heating, a heated steering wheel, multi-zone audio, LED map lights, and illuminated cup holders in the first and second rows.

Black Edition - From $51,040

The Black Edition follows an all-black design theme inside and out, with contrasting red LED interior lighting. Functional equipment is shared with the Elite.

Compare Pilot Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The 2021 Honda Pilot LX is too stingy on features for this class, which makes the EX the real base model in our view. The new Special Edition is worth a close look for its blend of style and luxury at an accessible price.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Roomy interior
  • Smooth V6 power
  • Standard active safety tech
Cons
  • Lackluster standard infotainment
  • Simple-looking interior
  • Clunky transmission
Expert Rating
3.3 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Well-rounded crossover with some shortcomings. The Honda Pilot has long been one of the top-selling three-row crossover SUVs for good reasons. It is roomy, can tow a respectable amount, has plenty of available features, and boasts a smooth powertrain.

Recently, though, the competition has caught up and, in some areas, surpassed the 2021 Honda Pilot. This gives buyers reasons to pause and consider the Chevrolet Traverse, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Explorer, and Subaru Ascent.

We dive deep into the Pilot below to see if it still offers enough to fend off its fast-rising competition.

Legit eight-seater that lacks style. There are plenty of three-row vehicles touting their eight-person capacity, but at least two of those eight people are often twisted up like pretzels in the third row. The Honda Pilot is one of the few with plenty of space in all three rows, including 31.9 inches of leg room and 57.6 inches of shoulder room in the third row.

The Explorer offers just 54.5 inches of third-row shoulder room. The Palisade has 31.4 inches of third-row leg room and 55.2 inches of third-row shoulder room, while the Ascent offers 31.7 and 57.2 inches, respectively.

While roomy, the Pilot’s cabin won’t win any design awards. This cabin wears black and grey with honor while focusing on simplicity and outward visibility over style and panache. Buyers looking for more interior style will find it in the Palisade and Kia Telluride, which feature cleaner dashes, more contrasting colors, and higher-grade materials.


Honda Pilot

Great tech but avoid the base LX. The Pilot boasts an available 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a slick, easy-to-use interface. It also has available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto starting from the second-tier EX trim. Plus, there’s available in-car wi-fi and other advanced in-cabin tech bits.

Sadly, these high-tech features are all limited to the EX and higher trims. The base Pilot LX is a tech letdown with a standard 5-inch non-touchscreen audio system and no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The competition puts much more focus on its base tech. The Traverse includes a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Explorer and Palisade come standard with 8-inch touchscreens and smartphone integration. Finally, the Ascent has a smallish 6.5-inch standard touchscreen, but it comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in all trims.

On the safety side of tech, the Pilot leaves buyers satisfied with its standard automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

The Traverse comes up short in safety, offering standard automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist only on the LT and higher trims. The Explorer offers standard automatic emergency braking, but adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist are optional. The Ascent and Palisade match the Pilot’s standard safety gear.

Potent powertrain with a few hitches. The Honda Pilot boasts a standard V6 engine with a potent 280 horsepower that offers a smooth powerband. The Explorer trumps it in power with a 300-hp base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but the high-strung four-cylinder isn’t as smooth as the Pilot’s V6. The Pilot also outright beats the 260-hp, 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder in the Ascent.

The Traverse and its 310-hp V6 and the Palisade with its 291-hp, 3.8-liter V6 engine manage to beat the Pilot in power and match its smooth acceleration.

The biggest sore spot in the Pilot’s powertrain is its nine-speed automatic transmission. While it does a good job enhancing fuel economy, it can be indecisive as it hunts for the right gear at low speeds and when passing at highway speeds.

Final thoughts. The 2021 Honda Pilot is a great do-it-all three-row crossover with plenty of tech in its higher trims and comfort in all three rows. Plus, its old-school V6 powertrain is refreshing amid the growing popularity of turbo four-cylinder engines.

Buyers seeking more power can look to some of the turbocharged options, like the Explorer. Those who want more power and a smooth V6 will find this in the Traverse.

The Pilot’s simple interior may not appeal to some buyers. Those seeking more interior class and style will find this in the Palisade and Telluride.

Finally, those looking for value in a base trim level will want to skip the Pilot, as its LX trim lacks Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a touchscreen. All the Pilot’s key competitors have standard touchscreens and smartphone integration.

Check prices for the 2021 Honda Pilot »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.5L V-6 / 280 HP / 262 ft.lbs.
Transmission
9-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
20 / 27 / 23 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
8
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.5L V-6 / 280 HP / 262 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
20 / 27 / 23 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
19.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$75
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
83.9 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
153 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
196.5 "
Exterior Width
78.6 "
Exterior Height
70.6 "
Front Headroom
40.1 "
Rear Headroom
40.2 "
Front Legroom
40.9 "
Rear Legroom
38.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
62.0 "
Rear Shoulder Room
62.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,982 Lbs.
Wheel Base
111 "
Turning Radius
19.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Silver Aluminum / 18.0 " Machined Aluminum / 20.0 " Black Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Body-colored / Body-colored With Chrome Insert / Body-colored With Black Insert / Front Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings
Chrome / Black
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
8
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Clock, Seek-scan / Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers
7
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Smartvent Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Smartvent Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Mitigation Braking System (cmbs) + Fcw Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keeping Assist System (lkas) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Collision Mitigation Braking System (cmbs) Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2021 Honda Pilot for Sale

23 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Honda
2WD Special Edition
Color: Black
Price

$25,367

Mileage

108,900 mi

Map location icon

Trust Palmdale Honda (49 mi)

Phone: (661) 449-9657
Honda
2WD EX-L
Color: Crystal Black Pearl
Price

$26,200

Mileage

28,548 mi

Map location icon

Swickard Honda of Thousand Oaks (31 mi)

Honda
2WD EX
Color: White
Price

$27,868

Mileage

56,092 mi

Map location icon

Airport Marina Honda (4 mi)

Phone: (866) 753-1868
Honda
Special Edition
Color: Crystal Black Pearl
Price

$28,784

Mileage

48,851 mi

Map location icon

Car Pros Honda El Monte (24 mi)

Phone: (626) 471-5479
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