- V6 power on every model
- Roomy standard seating for eight
- Strong resale value
- Honda Sensing safety systems come standard
- Pricing starts at $32,250 (plus $1,120 destination) | Price yours
The 2021 Honda Pilot is a tried-and-true midsize 3-row SUV that offers reliability and a very strong resale value. In a market that includes relatively new and highly competitive entries like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Volkswagen Atlas, as well as the old guard SUVs like the Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot offers roomy versatility and some off-road talent along with a comfortable ride and a robust V6 engine. It’s highly recommendable as a solid bet for a family SUV.
“Quiet Efficiency and a Certain Grace”
In our Expert Review of the 2021 Honda Pilot, we note that this SUV meets its goal “to provide comfortable, family-friendly motoring, which it performs with quiet efficiency and a certain grace.” No, the Pilot isn’t ready for Moab. However, it offers some off-road capability and can tackle roads that might be snowy, sandy, or muddy, thanks to its selectable terrain modes.
One of the features our editors really like in the 2021 Honda Pilot is the torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. This can send as much as 70 percent of power to the rear wheels to favor the wheel with the most grip, which makes the Pilot feel nimble on the road. The Pilot is smart enough to manage it without needing constant adjustment from the driver.
While the Pilot comes standard with front-wheel drive, you can opt for AWD for an additional $2,000 on all trims but the topline Elite and the Black. Those trims come standard with AWD.
Wide Range of Trim Levels
Speaking of which, you can opt for one of seven different trims on the 2021 Honda Pilot. They are LX, EX, EX-L, SE, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The Honda Pilot LX comes with 18-inch alloy wheels; Honda Sensing, Honda’s suite of advanced safety systems; automatic high beams; push-button start; dual-zone climate control; Bluetooth; a USB port; and a 5-inch color display.
We recommend moving up the trim ladder to the EX, which starts at $36,050, because it includes more safety features and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes with one-touch second-row seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, and LED fog lights, and AWD with a terrain management system that lets you handle those offroad moments like a boss.
The EX-L trim gets you additional features like leather upholstery, powered tailgate, a one-touch powered moonroof, and a self-dimming rearview mirror. The SE trim adds things like wireless charging, hands-free tailgate, and roof rails.
In our opinion, the Touring trim is the sweet spot for the Pilot. It offers the option of choosing a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row and provides a touch more luxury, including navigation, acoustic glass, an upgraded audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. It also comes with CabinTalk, which allows the drivers and passengers to communicate easier using the speaker system.
The Elite trim will run you $49,540 and comes with Honda’s torque vectoring system, a panoramic roof, and heated steering wheel. The Black Edition tops out at $51,040 and comes with unique paint options and black finished 20-inch alloy wheels.
Keeping the Fam Safe and Comfortable
Honda’s safety suite, called Honda Sensing, comes standard on all Honda Pilots. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Add on the 15 cup holders (no really, there are 15), and roomy cabin that’s slightly larger than that in the Toyota Highlander, and you have a great family hauler with stellar resale and reliability, making the Honda Pilot a solid choice for a family vehicle.
More 2021 Honda Pilot
Build and price your own 2021 Honda Pilot to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Honda Pilot models for sale near you.
