2021 Honda Pilot Review

Name: 2021 Honda Pilot Review
Brand: Honda
Price: 24504 USD

Honda Pilot Black Edition 4dr SUV Exterior

Honda Pilot Elite 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+513

The Honda Pilot is space-efficient and smooth-riding, and it provides ample power along with decent fuel economy. You also get plentiful features, a useful cargo area and smart interior storage. This Honda is one of the most well-rounded three-row SUVs you can get.

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2021 Honda Pilot Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

A versatile, roomy interior with spacious rear seats
Smooth and compliant ride in most conditions
Better fuel economy than rivals
Many clever storage compartments

Cons

Collision warning and adaptive cruise control are overly sensitive
Third-row access is narrow

What's new

New Special Edition trim level
Nine-speed automatic now standard on all Pilot trim levels
Base LX trim gets dual-zone climate control
Part of the third Pilot generation introduced for 2016

Overview

The 2021 Honda Pilot is the automaker's largest and most capable SUV. It seats up to eight passengers and has a roomy enough third-row seat for adults. There's plenty of cargo room too, whether you're just loading up some groceries or folding down the rear seats to help a friend move house. We're also impressed by the Pilot's fuel-efficient and powerful engine and exceptional ride and seat comfort.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$189/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Among midsize three-row SUVs, the Pilot isn't quite the go-to choice it was when this generation was introduced in 2016. Since then, new competitors such as the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride have debuted, offering even more space and interior refinement. There's also the Mazda CX-9; it's smaller but in return it gives you a sportier driving experience. But overall the 2021 Pilot is one of our favorites. We recommend putting it right at the top of your research list for a well-rounded family SUV.

What's it like to live with?

If you're interested in knowing what it's like to live with a Honda Pilot, check out our long-term test of the Pilot. We tested a Pilot Elite for a year, driving it over 20,000 miles, commuting with it to work, taking it on road trips, and collecting data all along the way. Note that while we tested a 2016 model, most of our reporting still applies to the 2021 Pilot.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Pilot drive? The Pilot is a surprisingly able performer. We tested a Pilot Elite and recorded a 0-60 mph sprint of 7.0 seconds, which is a bit quicker than most rival midsize three-row SUVs. Slowing down is easy too. The brakes have a relatively consistent feel and are easy to use in everyday driving. The Pilot's panic-stopping distance from 60 mph (129 feet in our testing) is average for this class of vehicle.

Twisty mountain roads don't pose a problem for the Pilot — this SUV feels more nimble than most. The steering is precise but offers little feel for the road. The Pilot's available AWD system is fine for slippery road surfaces, but this SUV lacks the ground clearance and specific off-road aids such as hill descent control to make it truly capable off-road.

Comfort

9.0/10

How comfortable is the Pilot? The Pilot rides comfortably both around town and on the highway. Body motions are well-controlled, but not at the expense of overall ride comfort. Small bumps are dispatched without issue. The front seats have supportive backs and bottoms, providing hours of comfort, and the second-row seats are similarly cushy and can recline and slide.

There's very little tire or wind noise inside the cabin, and the V6 sounds pretty good if you wind it out. The tri-zone climate control works well to keep everyone comfortable.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? The Pilot exhibits typical Honda efficiency with smart use of space and practical features. The first and second rows are roomy. The third row is big enough for occasional use for adults, but it's not as spacious as what you'll find in a Kia Telluride or Volkswagen Atlas. Access to the third row is also a bit narrow.

Most drivers will be able to find a suitable seating position, though tall drivers might want a little more steering wheel adjustment. The upright seating position gives the driver a more commanding view out than a Honda Odyssey minivan provides.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? Overall, the Pilot's touchscreen system is easy to use. The navigation system responds quickly, and the 10-speaker audio system sounds great. A Wi-Fi hotspot is included on Touring and Elite models, and users with the Honda CabinControl app can connect to the in-car Wi-Fi and control certain things such as rear cabin temperature and music playlists.

As for driver assist features, the Pilot's adaptive cruise control system isn't nearly as smooth in accelerating and braking as the systems in some rival SUVs. It also only works above 20 mph, which is a bummer for drivers stuck in stop-and-go traffic. The lane-keeping assist feature works fine on straight roads but can be overly intrusive if the road starts to bend.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? The Pilot is a useful vehicle when you need to carry a lot of stuff. While cargo room is solid — 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum volume of 83.8 cubes with the second- and third-row seats folded — it trails segment leaders. Still, there's generous storage under the load floor, and the space is very usable. The large door pockets and clever, configurable small-item storage within the center console are among the many places to store your things inside the cabin.

There's a really nice amount of space for car seat installations in the second row with good access to the LATCH anchors. The rear tether points are on the bottom of the second-row seats and are easy to miss if you don't know where to look. The one-button slide access to the third row helps facilitate seat installation back there.

Want to tow? The AWD Pilot's maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, which matches the capability of most V6-powered three-row SUVs. Front-wheel-drive Pilots are limited to 3,500 pounds.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the all-wheel-drive Pilot at 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway), which is about midpack for three-row SUVs. On Edmunds 115-mile standardized drive loop, which is made up primarily of highway roads, the Pilot returned 25.2 mpg which indicates that the EPA estimates are realistic.

Value

8.0/10

Is the Pilot a good value? We tested a fully loaded all-wheel-drive Elite, which is one of the pricier models in the class. However, it provides better comfort, quality feel and a nicer cabin than many competitors, so the price seems justified. The quality of materials and assembly is high for a non-luxury vehicle. The soft-touch plastics on the dash combined with high-gloss trim and matte-finish secondary controls look and feel good.

Basic warranty coverage is for three years/36,000 miles with a powertrain warranty for five years/60,000 miles. These are about standard for the class, as is the three-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance coverage.

Wildcard

8.5/10

Among three-row SUVs, the Pilot comes across as one of the most well-rounded. Its appealing combination of power and relatively rewarding handling is rare. It's certainly not sporty, but there's a willingness to change direction that's lacking in similar SUVs, with the exception of the Mazda CX-9. It's also comfortable and offers many conveniences.

Which Pilot does Edmunds recommend?

All 2021 Pilots have the same engine and transmission, so picking one largely comes down to your budget and knowing which features you want. In general, we think the midlevel EX-L trim provides the best value. A case can be made for the less expensive EX, but the EX-L adds some useful extras that you'll appreciate having in a family SUV, such as a power liftgate, second-row sunshades and additional USB charging ports.

2021 Honda Pilot models

The Honda Pilot comes in seven trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, SE (Special Edition), Touring, Elite and Black Edition. Most Pilots have seating for eight, though second-row captain's chairs — which reduce capacity to seven — are optional on the Touring and standard on the Elite and Black Edition trims.

All models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (280 horsepower, 262 lb-ft of torque) that's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional except on Elite and Black Edition models, which come standard with AWD.

LX
This entry-level Pilot comes with:

Automatic LED headlights
60/40-split folding third-row seats
5-inch central display screen
Seven-speaker audio system

Standard advanced safety features include:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Pilot and the car in front)
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the Pilot centered in its lane)
Automatic high-beam headlights

EX
Adds some desirable features, such as:

Keyless entry and heated mirrors
Tri-zone automatic climate control
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat
One-touch slide-and-fold second-row seats
8-inch touchscreen
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)

EX-L
Comes with a few more extras:

Power liftgate
Sunroof
Leather upholstery
Second-row sunshades
Second-row USB charging ports

SE (Special Edition)
New for 2021, this Pilot has the above features plus:

Wireless smartphone charging
Hands-free liftgate

Touring
Gets all of the above plus:

Navigation system
Roof rails
Front and rear parking sensors
Heated rear seats
Rear entertainment system
10-speaker premium audio system

Elite
Tops the Pilot range with:

Second-row captain's chairs
Auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors
Panoramic sunroof
Heated steering wheel
Ventilated front seats

Finally, the Black Edition is equipped identically to the Elite but has black exterior accents and red interior trim.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#15 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Honda Pilot from 2008-2022.}

$465/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.11x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

15.3%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Honda Pilot.

5 (59%)

4 (12%)

3 (5%)

2 (4%)

1 (20%)

3.9

81 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 81 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

I love the car

Ben, 12/13/2020

2021 Honda Pilot SE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)

I traded in my Honda CR-V 2017 for the Pilot 2021 SE and so far I love it. The car is very quiet compared to my CR-V, and my family barely hear wind or tire noise. Riding comfort is in general good, but potentially due to the 20-in wheels, we could feel a bit bumpy on bumpy roads. The car is quite spacious for 6 people (we haven't got a chance to pack 8 people in the car yet). The engine …

More comfortable than Telluride

Will, 12/28/2020

2021 Honda Pilot SE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)

I narrowed my search down to the Pilot and the Telluride. the Kia was sexier but I found the Honda had a more comfortable seat for my old back. Safety features great, almost self driving. good acceleration when needed. close to 30 mph on flat highway in ECO mode. I chose the SE trim to get the 20" wheels; the shorter sidewalls seemed to be less rolly in the turns.

Outstanding Vehicle For The Money

Class of '74, 12/09/2020

2021 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)

This is my third Honda. It's very comfortable, has lots of extras that would have cost me more with other brands. My previous Honda purchases have been super reliable, and have had excellent resale value. I'm sure this one will be no different. After driving this vehicle for over six months now, I've been impressed with the fuel mileage, the adaptive cruise control, and the comfort of …

Love Love Love!

JC, 09/09/2020

2021 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/Rear Captain's Chairs (3.5L 6cyl 9A)

We've driven a Pilot for 12 years and wanted to try out the competition for something new but quite frankly, after test driving several midsize SUVs in the Pilots class, we came back to it for its overall roominess in all 3 rows (even my 6' tall husband felt the 3rd row was comfortable), its smooth ride, and its features. We have two teenagers and a medium-large dog so we opted for the …

See all 81 reviews of the Honda Pilot

Write a vehicle review

2021 Honda Pilot video

Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot vs. Subaru Ascent | Midsize Family SUV Comparison Test

What do the 2021 Kia Telluride, 2021 Honda Pilot and 2021 Subaru Ascent all have in common? Third row? Check. Plenty of cargo space? Check. Technology features for everyone in the family? Check. So what sets each of these midsize SUVs apart from one another and which one is the right…

2021 Pilot Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$32,550
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$189/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Pilot models:

Blind-Spot Monitoring System: Alerts you if a vehicle is lurking in your blind spot and beeps if the turn signal is activated in that direction.
Honda Sensing: Includes items such as forward collision mitigation with auto braking and road departure intervention. Standard on all trim levels.
Parking Sensors: Indicates how close the vehicle is to objects with visual and audible alerts.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover17.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Marginal
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Honda Pilot Review

2021 Honda Pilot Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Pilot does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Honda Pilot models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

I love the car

More comfortable than Telluride

Outstanding Vehicle For The Money

Love Love Love!

2021 Honda Pilot video

Kia Telluride vs. Honda Pilot vs. Subaru Ascent | Midsize Family SUV Comparison Test

2021 Pilot Highlights

Safety

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Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Honda Pilot LX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}