Used 2021 Honda Pilot for sale 

"Expeditious and economical engine, spacious and versatile cabin, loads of optional tech." - Car And Driver

What should I pay for the 2021 Honda Pilot?

Available in seven trim levels, the 2021 Honda Pilot has a starting price of $32,550 for entry-level LX trim with FWD and the cost goes up to $50,220 MSRP for the top-of-the-line Black Edition AWD. The Pilot offers cloth seats with the LX and EX while starting from EX-L & above, leather surfaces take over. The Special Edition has popular blacked-out aesthetics and bigger 20-inch wheels, and costs under $40,000. The Pilot offers a single-engine choice with all the trims -  280 hp 3.5-liter V6 engine with FWD and 9-speed auto.

If you want an all-weather capability, Honda offers the all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain as an extra-cost option on lower trims while the top two trims get AWD as standard. Starting from the Touring trim, you get rear-seat entertainment as standard. The 2021 Pilot Elite is the most luxurious version of the SUV, with pricing starting from $48,420 while the Black Edition adds exclusive blacked-out styling, bigger wheels, red interior accents, and ambient lighting.

Other changes for 2021 include more standard features in the Honda Pilot - dual-zone automatic climate control, an automatic engine start-and-stop system, and paddle shifters. The drivetrain is also revised with a new 9-speed automatic shifter. The top-of-the-line Pilot Black Edition also got a new paint option, Platinum White Pearl.

More 2021 Honda Pilot Features and Specs >>

See all Trims and Configurations of the 2021 Honda Pilot >>

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Among the roster of 7 varied trim variants on offer in the 2021 Honda Pilot, we'd recommend the exclusive Pilot Black Edition, or else the brand-new Special Edition trim, which starts at an MSRP of $38,960, goes great for its features and justifies the price-tag. Unique features include a Hands-free tailgate, black 20-inch wheels, and wireless charging are included as standard features.

Check out the Warranty, Maintenace Costs, and Reliability Ratings of the 2021 Honda Pilot >>

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"The Pilot's V6 has a sporty sound and plenty of power." - CarAndDriver.com

The 2021 Honda Pilot offers a naturally aspirated V6 paired with a new ZF-sourced 9 speed automatic transmission. This efficient 3.5-liter i-Vtec engine belts out an impressive 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque. The SUV is capable of doing a 0-60 mph run in just 6.2 seconds. You can opt for the drivetrain of your choice - either FWD or AWD.

The Pilot's 9-speed gearbox is praiseworthy. With AWD, it does accelerate faster and provides a better cornering grip than the 2WD version at a premium of $2000. If you pick a Pilot with FWD, you can tow a maximum of 3,500 pounds while a Pilot with AWD offers an increased tow rating of 5,000 pounds.

On comparing, the Ford Explorer's Turbocharged inline-4 engine makes 300 horsepower and has the highest towing capacity of 5,300 pounds. which is closely followed by The Toyota Highlander which makes 295 hp and then comes the Honda Pilot making 280 hp followed by the Subaru Ascent which makes 260 hp, but comes with AWD as standard. 

View 2021 Honda Pilot Performance >>

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The 2021 Pilot’s gas mileage is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway by EPA while driving with FWD. With AWD, it returns 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Based on these numbers and the Pilot's 19.5 gallons fuel tank capacity, the SUV can travel up to 449 miles on a full tank of gas in mixed driving conditions.

Comparatively, the fuel economy of the Subaru Ascent is better in city driving conditions, rated at 21 mpg, but the highway and combined numbers are identical to the Pilot. However, with the strongest engine in its class, the Ford Explorer is one of most the fuel-efficient midsize SUVs giving a combined 24 mpg same as the Toyota Highlander.

View 2021 Honda Pilot Fuel Economy and Range >>

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"Despite being spacious for people and thier stuff, the Pilot's interior is a bit behind the curve with its dated and bland design." - MotorTrend

The 2021 Pilot's practically laid-out cabin uses quality materials and has clean interior lines with well-laid-out controls for everything. For 2021, the $32,550 LX trim gets the addition of dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. Starting with EX-L, the 2021 Pilot offers Leather, and it will cost you about $6000 more than the base model.

It comes with soft-touch materials on the dashboard and offers a spacious cabin that can comfortably accommodate eight passengers and seven if you opt for the optional captain's seats which are available with the EX-L and above trims. Rear-seat entertainment is standard starting from Touring trim. The Pilot Elite is the most luxurious version while the top-range Black Edition trim adds exclusive blacked-out seat upholstery with red lining stitches and accents.

The 2021 Pilot has 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, which expands to 46.8 cu.-ft. behind the second-row seats. A maximum of 83.9 cu.-ft cargo room is available for your bulk hauling needs. Starting from Special-Edition trim, a hands-free liftgate is standard. The standard panoramic sunroof in the Elite and Black Edition trims slightly reduces the available interior volume - 16 cu.-ft., 46 cu.-ft., and 82.1 cu.-ft., respectively.

The 2021 Pilot is equipped with an average 8.0-inch infotainment system, which is not the most responsive or feature-loaded as others in the same segment offer. In comparison, the three-row Pilot turns out to be more practical and can accommodate adults in the 3rd row with comfort even on longer journeys. Comparatively, Toyota's Highlander has a significantly more cramped 3rd row.

View 2021 Honda Pilot Interiors >>

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"We've always loved the Pilot for its practicality, but looks wise it has never impressed, and the 2021 model is no different." - Carbuzz

The 2021 Pilot brings about a more aggressive look in the front. It has received a redesigned front and rear fascia that looks sharper now with subtle character lines on the body. The Pilot gets LED headlights that are standard across the trim line-up. The broad chrome grille with piano black inserts below hands it an aggressive and premium style.

The taillights complement the rear design and go well with its bulky structure. Honda has inserted subtle elements to freshen the Pilot’s looks. The Black Edition trim for an MSRP of $49,920 gets a unique blacked-out front grille with smoked headlamps, and blacked-out exterior features. Opt for the 2021 Pilot Special Edition variant, and you'll also be treated with 20-inch wheels.

In terms of exterior dimensions, the Honda Pilot measures 196.5-inches in length, 78.6-inches in width, 70.6-inches in height, and a wheelbase of 111.0. However, the Ford Explorer is longer in length and wheelbase by 2.2-inches and 8.1-inches. The Subaru Ascent comes with the most ground clearance of 8.7-inches. 

View 2021 Honda Pilot Gallery >>

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the Pilot's adaptive cruise control system isn't nearly as smooth in accelerating and braking as the systems in some rival SUVs - Edmunds

The 2021 Honda Pilot has been rated by the NHTSA or the IIHS. The IIHS has given the 2021 Pilot an overall "Good" safety rating. The federal testing agency, the NHTSA gave it an overall 5-star rating out of a possible 5-stars, for both drivetrains FWD and AWD. This is the best score any vehicle can get from the NHTSA.

Honda is meant for making sensible cars that offer equal importance to usability, performance, safety, and comfort. The 2021 Honda Pilot is equipped with a decent safety package, and apart from the standard 7 airbags, traction control, and rearview cameras it also gets these electronic assist features:

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning

View 2021 Honda Pilot Safety >>

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2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer is one of the oldest players in the three-row SUV segment. Equipped with a turbocharged inline-4 engine that belts out 300 horsepower, it is one of the most powerful in the comparison. It has a lot of positives like a spacious cabin, mild off-roading capacity, and the option to choose from a lot of three engines. Like the Honda Pilot, the 2021 Explorer also offers similar features and comfort. It gets better infotainment and safety features, however, the 2021 Pilot benefits from its affordable price and unique distribution of features across the trim levels.

2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander is equipped with a 3.5L V6 which makes 295 hp, more than the 2021 Honda Pilot. This power output is good for a three-row SUV. The 2021 Highlander loses to Pilot’s value for money in the lower trims, especially considering the available options and value for the base model. It is also shy about safety and comfort features and does not offer an enjoyable drive like the 2021 Pilot. 

2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent makes 260 hp from a 2.4L turbocharged flat-4, less than the Honda Pilot, but comes with AWD as standard at a price that is marginally lesser than the Honda Pilot, making it an attractive offering. Along with this, it comes with space for 8 people along with a high ground clearance of 8.7-inches which is good for when it has to be taken on a rough path or for mild off-roading.

Also Read:

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• 2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Ford Explorer
• 2021 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

If you need an 8 seater three-row SUV that is good on the performance front, drives well, is comfortable inside, the 2021 Honda Pilot is the SUV for you. However, it is one of the most valuable SUVs in the segment that offer practicality and great usability for its $32,250 starting price tag. Moreover, apart from other things, the V6 engine is refined and reliable making it a good choice for buyers.

Find a New Honda Pilot for Sale near you >>