Used 2021 Honda Pilot for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2021 Honda Pilot Trims in Columbia, SC

The 2021 Honda Pilot offers a versatile range of trims, balancing price and features for families and adventurers alike.

• Starting at $20,549
• Best MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Most Popular: EX-L FWD

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-L FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX-L FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a spacious family SUV without paying for luxury features. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $20,549 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 10 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View EX-L FWD listings

EX-L AWD — "Who It's For"

The EX-L AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without the higher price tag of premium trims. It offers solid features for family use.

• Avg. market price: $20,549 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 5 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View EX-L AWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped SUV with advanced features without going for the top-tier trim. It balances price and amenities nicely.

• Avg. market price: $20,549 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 5 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Touring FWD listings

Elite AWD — "Who It's For"

The Elite AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with luxury features and all-wheel drive capability. It's ideal for those seeking premium comfort.

• Avg. market price: $25,990 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 8 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Elite AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — EX-L FWD

With 10 active listings, the EX-L FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup, offering great value for families.

Browse EX-L FWD listings

Best Budget Option — EX-L FWD

At $20,549 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,549 — 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 20/27 MPG/MPGe.

Browse EX-L FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Honda Pilot cost?

Prices have softened 7.16% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,608 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot a good car?

Yes — it earns a 4.9/5 from owners and a 7.2/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the roomy cabin, smooth ride, and broad range of features. They also value the available technology and safety equipment, and many appreciate the Pilot’s overall usefulness for family life.

The trade-offs are that performance is fairly pedestrian and the transmission can be irritating. In practical terms, that means you’re looking at a three-row SUV that fits everyday family use especially well, even if it doesn’t feel especially exciting. With 35.0% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive opportunities.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?

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

Owners describe it as reliable, long-lasting, and a vehicle they can count on, with strong praise for its dependable nature and overall value. The expert review also emphasizes Honda’s reputation as a known quantity that should last a long time and hold value well.

The Pilot’s reputation for durability is a plus for used buyers, but you should still verify maintenance history and overall condition before committing.

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

At 70.6% 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 thorough pre-purchase inspection. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the vehicle’s equipment and safety systems work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the simplest version, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience. The Special Edition adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate.
• Powertrain: Every 2021 Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on most trims.
• 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 trims get an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink. Touring adds navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a premium audio system, and more.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD model is rated at 22 mpg combined, and the test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg on the review 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, Black Edition.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the Pilot’s core space and utility at the lowest price.
• EX: This is the best-value trim because it adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning while staying relatively accessible.
• EX-L: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel without jumping all the way to the higher-priced trims.
• Special Edition: This is the sweet spot for shoppers who want extra style and convenience, thanks to blacked-out trim, wireless charging, and a hands-free power tailgate.
• Touring: This is the right pick if you want the most family-friendly tech upgrades, including navigation, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio, rear-seat entertainment, and Cabin Talk.
• Elite: This is the upscale choice for buyers who want standard AWD and a more premium overall setup.
• Black Edition: This is the most fully loaded version, with exclusive blacked-out styling and distinctive interior details.

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, so it’s worth shopping carefully and comparing listings.

• Deal availability: 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,608 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.16% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 70.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,294, 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 $24,294 sits slightly below last year's $26,168.

That decline suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means sellers may need to price competitively to stand out. If you’re planning to resell later, the current softness can work against short-term appreciation, though the Pilot’s broad family appeal helps support 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.

The main caveat is that the system uses an older version of Honda Sensing, and its operation is not especially smooth or refined. The lane-departure warning also uses a steering wheel wobble that may feel more intrusive than necessary.

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:

• 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.16% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines family-friendly space, easy-to-use technology, and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,887, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,294 average.
• It offers strong family utility with lots of cargo space and an adult-friendly third row.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the better pick if you want the stronger current-market balance of price, inventory, and owner satisfaction. If your priority is saving money upfront, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Pilot’s core family-friendly strengths.

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 Pilot leans harder into easy-to-use tech and spaciousness, while the Highlander edges ahead on ride quality and comfort. The Pilot’s weaker points are its pedestrian performance and irritating transmission, while the Highlander’s drawbacks are its base engine and outdated technology.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.