2021 Honda Pilot review
Honda Pilot highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Good gas mileage
- Lots of standard tech features on base trim
- Spacious cabin
Cons
- Smartphone connectivity doesn't come standard
- Unimpressive exterior design
- Difficult access to the third row
Mileage (EPA estimate)
19 city, 26 highway, 22 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Shop with your budget in mind
Stylish and functional for your whole crew
Plenty of room for passengers, a strong powertrain, and a smooth and comfortable ride—that's what you can look forward to in the 2021 Honda Pilot. This three-row midsize SUV offers seating for up to eight passengers, comes with plenty of convenient storage solutions, and is designed to deliver strong off-road performance. A versatile, functional, and powerful SUV, the 2021 Honda Pilot is a great choice for you and your crew.
All Honda Pilot years
What is new for the 2021 Honda Pilot?
- The Pilot is available in a new trim called the Special Edition.
- The LX trim now comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment.
- The EX-L trim now comes with Cruise Control as standard equipment.
- The Touring trim now comes with Quad Seats as standard equipment.
2021 Honda Pilot trims
LX:
Includes a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 60/40-split third-row bench, six-way driver seat adjustment, and 18-inch wheels.
EX:
Adds heated front seats, eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, tri-zone automatic climate control, blind-spot monitor, one-touch second-row seats, and more.
EX-L:
Adds leather upholstery, power liftgate, sunroof, and integrated sunshades on the second row.
SE (Special Edition):
Adds roof rails, wireless charging, and hands-free tailgate.
Touring:
Unlocks an advanced rear entertainment system, navigation system, CabinTalk® In-Car PA System, multi-zone audio, and ambient LED lighting.
Elite:
Adds a heated steering wheel; illuminated beverage holders on the front- and second-row seats; perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats; and a panoramic roof.
Black Edition:
Comes with all the features included in the Elite trim, plus special Black Edition exterior details, 20-inch black alloy wheels, Black Edition leather interior, and red ambient LED lighting.
Honda Pilot photos
5 reasons to buy the 2021 Honda Pilot
1. Spacious cabin
Thanks to a third-row bench, the 2021 Honda Pilot can seat up to eight passengers. With 32 inches of legroom, the third-row seats are comfortable for even your taller passengers. They are also easy to access, with a one-touch button that folds down the second-row seat—making getting to the third-row bench a hassle-free move.
2. Lots of cargo room
Storage space is a key advantage of owning an SUV, and the 2021 Honda Pilot delivers in this department. Behind the third-row seat, the Pilot offers 16.5 cubic feet of storage space, which increases to 46.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down. The maximum interior cargo volume behind the front seats is an impressive 83.9 cubic feet. What's more, the optional hands-free liftgate and remote trunk release (available on all but the base trim) make getting cargo in and out of the SUV a breeze.
3. Entertainment for all your passengers
In addition to being a practical and functional vehicle, the 2021 Honda Pilot provides an entertaining riding experience. The base LX trim comes standard with a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system; all other trims feature an eight-inch screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as SiriusXM® Radio. Bluetooth® connectivity is standard on all trims; the Touring and Elite trims are additionally equipped with multi-zone audio and an advanced rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-ray™ player, and built-in streaming apps.
4. Helpful driver-assistance features
If you're keen on a vehicle that's equipped with technology designed to help you maintain control and maneuver more easily, the 2021 Honda Pilot has you covered. Auto high-beam headlights are standard on all trims, as are lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and the Collision Mitigation Braking System™. A blind-spot information system with cross-traffic monitor is standard on all trims except the base trim, and a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines is standard across the lineup.
5. Confident performance
Though the 2021 Honda Pilot owes most of its popularity to its abundant cargo and passenger space and an extremely functional and comfortable interior, it also boasts strong performance and an exciting riding experience. The 2021 Pilot features an intelligent traction management system, which allows you to change the settings and adapt the traction depending on whether you drive on snow, mud, sand, or pavement. The available all-wheel drive can also help improve handling on rough terrain.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2021 Honda Pilot, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The Acura MDX is an excellent three-row crossover SUV. The 2019 model features a 290-hp six-cylinder engine, FWD, and a nine-speed automatic transmission as standard. A hybrid option is also available.
Standard features on the 2019 Acura MDX include:
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
Hatchback with cargo space behind the third row
Lane departure warning system
If you're looking for a stylish SUV with engines and space for everyday life, look no further than the 2017-2019 Ford Edge. This five-passenger two-row SUV has four engines, including a standard turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
Every 2017-2019 Ford Edge starts with:
A 4.2-inch touchscreen
Air conditioning
Push-button start
Distinctly styled inside and out, the 2017-2019 Nissan Rogue features three trims with a selection of in-demand options. Power comes from a 170-hp four-cylinder engine and CVT. In addition, you can opt for AWD to get confident traction in wet or snowy weather. Plus, there's plenty of storage, with 39.3 cubic feet of trunk space—or 70 cubic feet with all seats folded. Have extra passengers? The 2017-2019 Nissan Rogue has an available third row for up to seven passengers.
Highlights of the base-model 2017-2019 Nissan Rogue include:
Bluetooth audio connectivity
Five-inch touchscreen
Rearview camera
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity (2019 and newer)
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Honda Pilot an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Honda Pilot 15th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Honda PilotHonda Pilot features and specs
EX-L 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seat(s)
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Sunshade
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Third Row Seat
- Traction Control
- CD Audio
- Full Roof Rack
- Leather Seats
- Rear Entertainment System
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
3.5L
Horsepower
280
Torque (ft-lbs)
262
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
19.5
Wheelbase
111"
Overall length
196.5"
Width
78.6"
Height
70.6"
Leg room
F 40.9"/M 38.4"/R 31.9"
Head room
F 39.5"/M 39.9"/R 38.9"
Front tires
P245/60HR18
Rear tires
P245/60HR18
Seating capacity
8
Max towing capacity
350/3500 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2021 Honda Pilot FAQ
The 2021 Honda Pilot is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- EX-L: 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- LX: 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- EX: 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- Touring: 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
- Elite: 19 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
- Black Edition: 19 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
- Special Edition: 20 MPG City and 27 MPG Highway
The Honda Pilot received a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Honda Pilot as 14 out of 32 among Midsize SUV
The 2021 Honda Pilot has received an average 4.7 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2021 Honda Pilot, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2021 Honda Pilot Reviews.
The 2021 Honda Pilot has a maximum towing capacity of 3500 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2021 Honda Pilot:
- Special Edition
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Quad Seats
More about the 2021 Honda Pilot
Color options
Exterior colors:
Black Forest Pearl (EX-L trim and above)
Crystal Black Pearl
Deep Scarlet Pearl (EX trim and above)
Lunar Silver Metallic
Modern Steel Metallic
Obsidian Blue Pearl (EX trim and above)
Platinum White Pearl
Steel Sapphire Metallic (EX trim and above)
Interior details
16.5 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 46.8 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and a total of 83.9 cubic feet of interior cargo volume
Seats up to eight passengers
Five-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base trim; eight-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration on all other trims
Available leather upholstery, one-touch second-row seating, heated front seats, and USB charging ports
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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