Special Edition 4dr 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9AM)
Special Edition 4dr 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9AM)
Special Edition 4dr 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9AM)
EX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Touring 4dr SUV w/8-Seat (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Elite 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
LX 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Special Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9AM)
Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Special Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9AM)
Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Special Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9AM)
EX 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Seat (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Black Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Seat (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
The 2021 Honda Pilot is a carryover model with some major changes and updates both under the hood as well as inside the cabin.
The 2021 Honda Pilot is a carryover model with some major changes and updates both under the hood as well as inside the cabin. The Honda Pilot now comes as standard with the 9-speed automatic transmission, which was only optional in the lower trims till last year. The Pilot also gains a new Special Edition trim which comes with some minor extra features and distinct exterior styling. The rest of the specs of the powertrain as well as the power outputs remain the same.
There are a lot of trims in which the Pilot is available. For 2021, a new trim named Special Edition has also been added to the list of trims. The 2021 Honda Pilot comes in seven trim lines, namely LX, EX, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. All trims are equipped with the same 3.5L V6 engine under the hood mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. All trims except the Elite and Balck Edition come with FWD as standard while AWD is optional. The Elite and Black Edition, which are the highest level trims, come as AWD-only models.
Trims |
LX |
EX |
EX-L |
Special Edition |
Touring |
Elite |
Black Edition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$32,250 (FWD) $34,250 (AWD) |
$34,930 (FWD) $36,930 (AWD) |
$38,360 (FWD) $40,360 (AWD) |
$38,960 (FWD) $40,960 (AWD) |
$42,920 (FWD) $44,920 (AWD) |
$48,420 (AWD) |
$49,920 (AWD) |
Key Features |
Seating for 8 |
Intelligent Traction Management |
Leather-Trimmed Seats |
Wireless Phone Charger |
Blu-ray Rear Entertainment System (RES) |
Panoramic Roof |
Black Edition Exterior Trim |
|
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera |
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Integration |
One-Touch Power Moonroof |
Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate |
Available Heated 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs |
Heated 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs |
Black Edition Leather Interior |
|
18-Inch Alloy Wheels |
One-Touch 2nd-Row Seats |
Driver's Seat with Two-Position Memory |
Roof Rails |
590-Watt Premium Audio System with 10 Speakers |
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats |
20-Inch Black Alloy Wheels |
|
LED Low-Beam Headlights with Auto-On/Off |
Blind Spot Information System(BSI)with Cross Traffic Monitor |
Integrated Second-Row Sunshades |
20-Inch Black Alloy Wheels |
LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off |
Heated Steering Wheel |
Red Ambient LED Lighting |
|
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) |
10-Way Power Driver's Seat |
4-Way Power Passenger's Seat |
|
Wi-Fi Hotspot Capability |
Standard Intelligent Variable Torque Management |
|
|
Rear Privacy Glass |
Heated Front Seats |
HomeLink Remote System |
|
20-Inch Alloy Wheels |
LED Front-Row Map Lights |
|
|
Hill Start Assist |
8-Inch Display Audio with High-Resolution Touch-Screen |
Three USB ChargingPorts |
|
Body-Colored Parking Sensors |
Perforated Leather Front- and 2nd-Row Seats |
|
|
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
Side Mirrors with Memory and Integrated LED Turn Indicators |
|
Blue Ambient LED Lighting and Front Beverage Holders |
590-Watt Premium Audio System with 10 Speakers with Multi-Zone Audio |
|
The base LX trim starts at $32,250 and comes with a great set of features. The EX, EX-L Touring, and Elite trims add much more features on top of the trim lower to the respective model, while Special Edition and Black Edition models provide just minor feature additions and unique exterior appearances. Elite stands at the top with all the bells and whistles available for the lineup.
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The EX-L trim would be the best option to choose. The EX-L trim comes with much more advanced features and luxury on the inside compared to the lower-end trims. It gets leather-trimmed upholstery along with a powered moonroof, memory function, and adjustability for seats. The pricing of the EX-L is also on the mid-level territory, while it comes with a great set of features.
All trims of the 2021 Honda Pilot are equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine that delivers power to either the front wheels or all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers a strong 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of power and torque. The power outputs are not the absolute best in the segment, but the power figures are certainly on the higher side of the spectrum. The engine is punchy and responsive, and the power delivery is smooth and linear.
The Pilot has a highly responsive engine that helps it to sprint to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile mark in 14.8 seconds. The 0 to 60 as well as quarter-mile times are really good for a three-row SUV. The 2021 Honda Pilot is limited to a top speed of 130 mph, and the engine is efficient and delivers remarkable performance. The Pilot undoubtedly comes with one of the best powertrain options in the segment.
Models |
2021 Honda Pilot LX |
2021 Mazda CX-9 Sport |
2021 Kia Telluride LX |
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LS |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$32,250 (FWD) $34,250 (AWD) |
$34,160 (FWD) $36,060 (AWD) |
$31,990 (FWD) $33,990 (AWD) |
$33,200 (FWD) $35,200 (AWD) |
Engine |
3.5 L V6 |
2.5 L Inline-4 |
3.8 L V6 |
3.6 L V6 |
Drivetrain |
FWD/AWD |
FWD/AWD |
FWD/AWD |
FWD/AWD |
Transmission |
9-speed shiftable automatic |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
8-speed automatic |
9-speed shiftable automatic |
Power (hp @ rpm) |
280 hp @ 6000 rpm |
227 hp @ 5000 rpm |
291 hp @ 6000 rpm |
310 hp @ 6800 rpm |
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) |
262 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm |
310 ft-lbs. @ 2000 rpm |
262 ft-lbs. @ 5200 rpm |
266 ft-lbs. @ 2800 rpm |
0-60 mph (sec) |
6.2 |
7.1 |
7.2 |
6.5 |
Quarter Mile (sec) |
14.8 |
15.4 |
15.4 |
15.1 |
Top Speed (mph) |
130 |
130 |
130 |
130 |
The 2021 Honda Pilot smokes all of the rivals in terms of straight-line performance. The Chevrolet Traverse as well as the Kia Telluride are more powerful and put out a higher amount of torque than the Pilot. But still, the Pilot is the fastest in terms of 0 to 60 and quarter-mile numbers. The higher performance from the Pilot, despite its lower power figures, proves how great the performance of the Honda Pilot is.
The 2021 Honda Pilot is engaging to drive with a strong powertrain and efficient transmission. The steering is also responsive, but the connection between the steering and the road surface is not the best or enjoyable. The vehicle delivers an impressive ride quality with a smooth ride over the pavement as well as mildly uneven surfaces. However, the suspension setup and ground clearance are not the best-suited for proper offroading, but the available AWD drivetrain can be equipped for a considerably higher grip, traction, and stability over slippery as well as normal road conditions.
The Honda Pilot loaded with seven or eight people delivers a composed and smooth ride without much body roll. The cornering capabilities are surely limited by its huge footprint, but still, the Pilot is pretty good around corners unless you over expect. The 2021 Pilot is easy to drive around in the city and also to maneuver into and out of tight parking spaces. Overall the handling is good, although there is nothing to be properly excited about and also that the steering feels a bit dead.
The 2021 Honda Pilot comes with impressive braking capabilities which are on par with the machine’s performance. The Pilot gets 12.6-inch rotors in the front and 13-inch ones in the rear. Honda has managed to keep the weight of the vehicle down effectively, which helps in delivering superb braking performance. The SUV stops from 60 mph at a distance of 129 ft, which is an impressive distance for the segment. The 2021 Honda Pilot has one of the best braking distances in the segment, proving that it has strong brakes and delivers impressive braking performance.
Model |
2021 Honda Pilot LX |
2021 Mazda CX-9 Sport |
2021 Kia Telluride LX |
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Rotors Front (in.) |
12.6 |
12.6 |
13.4 |
12.6 |
Brake Rotors Rear (in.) |
13.0 |
12.8 |
12.0 |
12.4 |
Curb Weight (lbs) |
4,060 |
4,225 |
4,317 |
4,362 |
Braking Distance 60-0 mpg (ft.) |
129 |
139 |
131 |
176* |
*70-0mph figure shown
The 2021 Honda Pilot is the best performing vehicle in the class, not just in terms of speed but also in terms of bringing the vehicle to a stop from that higher speed. The Honda has a strong set of brakes that bring it to a stop within one of the best distances. The Kia Telluride follows just after it with a difference of just 2 ft. Mazda stands behind Kia with a braking distance of 139 feet.
The 2021 Honda Pilot delivers a pretty good fuel economy, and it is surprising that the Pilot, which is the fastest SUV among the competition, also provides a very good fuel economy. The Honda Pilot puts out a fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and a combined range of 23 mpg. The Pilot has a 19.5-gallon fuel capacity which results in a range of 390 miles in the city, 527 miles on the highway, and a combined range of 448 miles.
Models |
2021 Honda Pilot LX |
2021 Mazda CX-9 Sport |
2021 Kia Telluride LX |
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LS |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
20 |
22 |
20 |
18 |
MPG (Highway) |
27 |
28 |
26 |
27 |
MPG (Combined) |
23 |
24 |
23 |
21 |
Fuel Capacity (Gallons) |
19.5 |
19.0 |
18.8 |
21.7 |
Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles) |
390/527/448 |
418/532/456 |
376/489/432 |
390/586/456 |
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 is the best in terms of fuel economy as well as range. The Chevrolet Traverse, however, with a larger fuel tank manages to deliver the best range on the highway while yielding the least efficient mpg figures in city traffic. The Honda Pilot performs really well and stands below the Mazda with slight differences in efficiency figures and range. Overall all of the members in the comparison have their own strengths in terms of fuel efficiency.
The 2021 Honda Pilot has a decent cabin with luxury that increases while climbing up the trim ladder. The base LX trim comes with a dual-zone automatic climate control system as standard, whereas tri-zone automatic climate control with humidity control and air filtration is standard in all other trims. The interior options include black or grey perforated leather upholstered seats with lots of adjustability and memory functionality.
The interior is spacious with lots of space available for the first two rows and a respectable amount of space for the third-row passengers. The third row provides pretty comfortable seating for adults in short drives, while it can be tiring in long journeys and is not suggested. The front two rows, however, offer a great amount of space, and the seats are comfortable and supportive. The highest-end trim also receives seat ventilation along with a heating function. The cargo space in the Honda Pilot is not the best in the competition.
Models |
2021 Honda Pilot LX |
2021 Mazda CX-9 Sport |
2021 Kia Telluride LX |
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches) |
40.1/62.0/40.9 |
39.3/57.9/39.4 |
39.5/61.6/44.1 |
41.3/62.1/41.0 |
Second Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches) |
40.2/62.0/38.4 |
38.5/58.1/39.4 |
40.2/61.2/42.4 |
40.0/62.2/38.4 |
Third Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches) |
38.9/57.6/31.9 |
35.4/53.1/29.7 |
38.1/55.3/31.4 |
38.2/57.5/33.5 |
Cargo Capacity |
16.5 |
14.4 |
21.0 |
23.0 |
The Kia Telluride, Chevrolet Traverse, and the Honda Pilot are the overall more spacious models in this comparison, but there are differences in spacing in each row as well as cargo space. The Kia Telluride comes with the best first and second-row space, whereas the Chevrolet Traverse has the best third-row space as well as cargo capacity. The Mazda is the lowest spacious option in the segment, while all others have their own strengths and weaknesses. The following are some of the standout interior features in the Honda Pilot-
The 2021 Honda Pilot features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit in the higher trims, while the lower trims come with just a 5-inch color LCD infotainment screen. The larger touchscreen unit is responsive, intuitive, and easy to use. The audio unit in the base models is a 215-Watt audio system with 7 speakers, including a subwoofer. The higher trims, however, come with a 590-Watt premium audio system consisting of 10 speakers, including a subwoofer and Multi-Zone Audio. The 10-speaker audio unit is of high quality, and the listening experience is amazing. The following are the most important infotainment features-
The 2021 Honda Pilot is not the best-looking SUV in the segment, however, it’s not bad either. It’s just that the Pilot is a generic-looking Honda SUV. This might be a positive thing for some people, but it's just boring for some eyes. The Pilot doesn’t have any standout beauty elements that will turn heads. But overall, the Pilot is a decent-looking SUV and features LED headlights in the front along with the signature Honda grille.
The 2021 Honda Pilot features 18-inch alloy wheels in the lower trims and 20-inch ones in the higher trim which come in a black shade in the top-most Black Edition trim. The Pilot is available in eight color options, including four free and four paid options. The 2021 Honda Pilot is a typical Honda-looking SUV with distinct styling and design language. Overall it can be considered a good-looking vehicle from all sides.
Models |
2021 Honda Pilot LX |
2021 Mazda CX-9 Sport |
2021 Kia Telluride LX |
2021 Chevrolet Traverse LS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,982 |
4,236 |
4,211 |
4,362 |
Length (inches) |
196.5 |
199.4 |
196.9 |
204.3 |
Width (inches) |
78.6 |
77.5 |
78.3 |
78.6 |
Height (inches) |
70.6 |
69.0 |
68.9 |
70.7 |
Ground Clearance (inches) |
7.3 |
8.8 |
8.0 |
N/A |
Wheelbase (inches) |
111.0 |
115.3 |
114.2 |
120.9 |
The Honda Pilot, as we discussed earlier, is the lightest among the competition while also being the shortest. It also comes with the least ground clearance, whereas the Mazda has the best ground clearance and is the most practical SUV in comparison. When it comes to beauty, the Kia Telluride is the best looking with a sporty and updated design language with futuristic accent lighting and LED-lined turn indicators. The Pilot and the Mazda follow, but both of them have a brand-specific design language that not everyone would appreciate. The following are some of the standout exterior features-
The 2021 Honda Pilot has been crash-tested and rated by both NHTSA as well as IIHS. It has been awarded impressive safety ratings from both agencies. NHTSA has given the Pilot an overall 5-star rating. It gets nothing short of a 4-star rating under any parameter, including a solid 5-star rating under all side crash tests. IIHS has also given the Pilot very good ratings. All of this means that the Honda Pilot is a super safe vehicle equipped with a host of safety features, including Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and many others, including the following-
The 2021 Honda Pilot is definitely the better option than the Mazda CX-9. It provides better drivability and improved handling while also being faster than the Mazda. The Mazda only has a slightly better fuel economy to hold up against the Pilot. But that is not enough to beat the Pilot, and the CX-9 loses out in this duel, meaning that the Honda Pilot is the overall better choice.
Kia Telluride is a very strong option in the segment offering great space and impressive power outputs. The Kia Telluride also provides good handling capabilities and impressive acceleration. The space on the inside, as well as the cargo capacity, is also very good, and the Telluride also features a luxurious cabin and a beautiful exterior. The Pilot, as well as the Telluride, are equally good competitors in the segment, and the choice is subjective. We would lean towards the Telluride due to its better looks and performance that is very close to the Pilot.
The Honda Pilot is the better option here as it performs better and also looks better than the Chevy Traverse. The Traverse is a powerful SUV with impressive third-row space but still cannot keep up with the Pilot in terms of speed and acceleration. The Pilot also delivers superior handling and fuel efficiency, making it the better choice. The 2021 Traverse is a healthy option, but considering all aspects, the Pilot is definitely the one to opt for.
The 2021 Honda Pilot is one of the best options in the segment offering impressive performance and interior space. The powertrain combination of the 3.5 L V6 and the 9-speed automatic transmission is superb in delivering the best acceleration figures in the segment while also providing great fuel economy. The Pilot also looks pretty good and comes in various trim options to choose from. Overall it is a superior option in the three-row SUV segment.