How much does the 2021 Honda Pilot cost?

Prices have softened 6.11% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,454 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

If you find a listing below $24,748.09, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Honda Pilot earns a 4.86/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its spacious cabin, smooth ride, and useful feature set, and they also value the technology and safety equipment available. The Pilot is also described as reliable, long-lasting, and a vehicle you can count on over time. On the downside, the design can feel dated, and the transmission can be irritating.

The Pilot fits well if you want a practical three-row SUV that prioritizes space, comfort, and everyday usability over flashy styling. Even with those trade-offs, 33.1% of listings are good or great deals, which gives you room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, reliable, and trouble-free for family use, with many shoppers appreciating its long-term value. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that Honda is a known quantity likely to last a long time and remain worth something when you move on.

Honda also frames the Pilot as a vehicle that should be reliable and hold value well, which supports confidence in used ownership. Still, as with any used SUV, your long-term risk depends on maintenance history, so a careful inspection and service-record review matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Honda Pilot?

At 72.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. Put extra inspection focus on body panels, alignment, tire wear, and signs of uneven repair work. You should also prioritize a test drive that checks ride quality, braking feel, and transmission behavior.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience. The standard safety package is strong, but blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning start with EX trim.
• Powertrain: Every 2021 Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic. It is smooth and refined, and the available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system adds traction and capability.
• Safety package: Honda Sensing is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning are not standard on the base trim.
• Infotainment: Most models use an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and basic HondaLink. Wireless phone charging appears on the Special Edition, while higher trims add navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD model is rated at 22 mpg combined, and the test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg on the evaluation loop.

Which 2021 Honda Pilot trim should I buy?

The 2021 Honda Pilot is offered in 7 trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LX gives you the core Pilot experience, but it lacks blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, which start with EX trim.
• Sweet-spot trim: The EX-L is the best value for many shoppers because it builds on the Pilot’s practical strengths with a more upscale feel without jumping to the pricier tech-focused trims.
• Premium/top trim: The Touring is the best choice if you want the richest tech and family-friendly features, including navigation, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio, rear-seat entertainment, and Cabin Talk.
• Off-road trim: The Pilot is not really an off-road-focused SUV, and its modest ground clearance and all-season tires make it better suited to daily driving than rough terrain.

Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup, but the blind-spot monitoring/rear cross-traffic warning system begins with EX trim.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Honda Pilot?

The market looks moderately favorable if you are a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,454 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.11% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,748.09, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Honda Pilot's resale value?

The current average of $25,539 sits slightly below last year's $27,201.

That price movement suggests the Pilot has softened enough to create a more approachable entry point for used buyers. For a future seller, that can mean less immediate upside than when prices were higher, but the model’s broad family appeal still helps support demand. Its strong reputation for utility and owner satisfaction should continue to help it hold attention in the used market.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.86/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot safe?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Pilot five-star overall ratings despite four-star marks for front-passenger protection in a frontal impact, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives it its highest good ratings except for an acceptable score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Honda Sensing is standard, and it includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with EX trim, you also get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The system works, but it is not especially smooth or refined, and the lane-departure warning can feel overly intrusive.

The standard headlights earn an acceptable rating, while higher trims improve to good headlights. That makes trim choice relevant if safety equipment and lighting performance matter to you.

Should I buy a 2021 Honda Pilot or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.11% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It balances family-friendly space, useful technology, and a smooth powertrain.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,701, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $25,539 average.
• It offers strong practical appeal with lots of cargo space and an adult-friendly third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced used Pilot, the 2021 is the stronger all-around pick because it combines solid value, broad appeal, and a well-rounded feature set. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Pilot’s core strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.