Used 2021 Honda Pilot for SaleNationwide

Compare 2021 Honda Pilot Trims

The 2021 Honda Pilot offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to fully loaded models, all featuring spacious interiors and versatile performance.

• Starting at $22,425
• Best MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Most Popular: EX-L AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

EX AWD — "Who It's For"

The EX AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV without breaking the bank. It offers a solid mix of features and performance.

• Avg. market price: $22,603 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 298 listings
• View EX AWD listings

EX-L FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX-L FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of comfort and technology without the added cost of AWD. It’s a great choice for everyday driving.

• Avg. market price: $22,425 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,038 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View EX-L FWD listings

EX-L AWD — "Who It's For"

The EX-L AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of luxury and capability without going for the highest trims. It’s the most popular choice for good reason.

• Avg. market price: $23,502 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 2,220 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View EX-L AWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a stylish SUV with essential features and all-wheel drive. It’s a solid option for families needing versatility.

• Avg. market price: $24,061 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 404 listings
• View SE AWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want advanced tech features and a spacious interior without the AWD premium. It’s ideal for road trips.

• Avg. market price: $26,249 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 465 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with all-wheel drive and premium features. It’s perfect for those who enjoy driving.

• Avg. market price: $26,913 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,569 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Touring AWD listings

Elite AWD — "Who It's For"

The Elite AWD is the pick for shoppers who want top-tier luxury and performance in their SUV. It’s designed for those who appreciate premium features.

• Avg. market price: $28,093 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,750 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Elite AWD listings

Black Edition AWD — "Who It's For"

The Black Edition AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a stylish and feature-rich SUV that stands out. It’s perfect for those who value aesthetics and performance.

• Avg. market price: $28,605 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 461 listings
• View Black Edition AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — EX-L AWD

With 2,220 active listings, the EX-L AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup, offering a great mix of features and performance.

Browse EX-L AWD listings

Best Budget Option — EX-L FWD

At $22,425 avg market price — below the lineup median of $25,155 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse EX-L FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — EX-L FWD

The EX-L FWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway.

Browse EX-L FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Honda Pilot cost?

Prices have softened 6.35% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,679 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and prices.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Honda Pilot earns a 4.9/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its spaciousness, smooth ride, and useful feature set, and they also value the overall practicality and family-friendly comfort. The overview points to a vehicle that works especially well when you want everyday usefulness, while the expert notes emphasize the interior, powertrain, driving dynamics, and straightforward technology. The main trade-offs are fairly pedestrian performance and an irritating transmission, and the styling is not a strong suit. Even so, it fits you well if you want a large SUV that prioritizes space, comfort, and easy-to-live-with tech. Good and great deals account for 31.8% of listings, so there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, with owners highlighting its spaciousness, smooth ride, and overall value over time. The expert notes also describe Honda as a known quantity that is likely to be reliable and last a long time, which reinforces the Pilot’s reputation for durability. The cost-effectiveness discussion adds that Honda’s reputation supports resale value, which matters if you plan to keep the SUV for years. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about basic dependability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and not worn down by family use.

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

At 73% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of bodywork, alignment, and signs of prior repair. It also makes sense to focus on interior condition, since family use can leave visible wear in a three-row SUV. If you’re comparing listings, pay close attention to trim-specific equipment so you know whether the features you want are actually present.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience equipment. The Special Edition brings black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate.
• Powertrain: Every model uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on most trims, with torque-vectoring AWD standard on the Elite and Black Edition.
• 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 start with EX trim.
• Infotainment: Most models use an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and basic HondaLink. Touring adds navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD model is rated at 22 mpg in combined driving, 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:

• LX: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Pilot lineup and care most about space and core utility.
• EX: This is the trim to watch if you want the best value, because it adds the blind-spot monitoring/rear cross-traffic warning system while staying relatively accessible.
• EX-L: Choose this if you want a more upscale cabin feel and more comfort-focused equipment without jumping all the way to the pricier trims.
• Special Edition: This is the best fit if you want a style-and-convenience upgrade, thanks to the blacked-out look, wireless charging, and hands-free power tailgate.
• Touring: Pick this if you want the most family-friendly tech, including navigation, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio, rear-seat entertainment, and Cabin Talk.
• Elite: This is the right choice if you want standard AWD and a more premium setup.
• Black Edition: Go here if you want the most fully loaded version with the boldest appearance treatment and standard AWD.

Honda Sensing is standard on every trim, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning begin with EX.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, especially if you’re comparing multiple listings and waiting for the right price.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,679 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.35% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,726, 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 $24,810 sits slightly below last year's $26,492.

That softer pricing can help you buy more affordably now, but it also means future sellers may face a market that has already adjusted downward. If prices stabilize, a well-kept Pilot could hold value better than average because shoppers still respond to its space, practicality, and Honda reputation. The strongest listings will be the ones with clean history, good condition, and desirable equipment, since those are the versions most likely to stay in demand.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot safe?

The 2021 Honda Pilot earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, despite four-star ratings for front-passenger protection in a frontal impact. The IIHS gives it its highest “good” ratings except for an “acceptable” score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection, and the standard headlights also earn an “acceptable” rating while higher trims earn a “good” rating.

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

Honda Sensing is standard on every trim and 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. One caveat is that the system uses an older version of Honda Sensing, and the lane-departure warning can feel overly intrusive.

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:

• 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.35% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It stands out for everyday usefulness, with the interior, powertrain, driving dynamics, and simple but useful technology doing the heavy lifting.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,138, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,810 average.
• It offers tons of cargo space and an adult-friendly third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better current-market balance of price, satisfaction, and availability, the 2021 is the stronger pick. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 remains a sensible alternative, especially if you find one in clean condition with the safety and space you need.

How does the 2021 Honda Pilot compare to the 2021 Toyota Highlander?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Honda Pilot:

• Pros: Spacious, Easy-to-use technology, Stylish design.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Irritating transmission.

2021 Toyota Highlander:

• Pros: Great ride quality, Comfortable, Spacious.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2021 Honda Pilot 7.2/10 and the 2021 Toyota Highlander 7.5/10. The Highlander edges ahead on expert score and brings stronger ride quality, but the Pilot counters with easier-to-use technology and a roomier, more practical feel. If you care most about comfort and a slightly higher expert score, the Highlander has the edge; if you want straightforward usability and a spacious family setup, the Pilot remains compelling.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

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