How much does the 2021 Honda Pilot cost?

Prices have softened 5.69% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,465 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

If you find a listing below $24,747.90, 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 spaciousness, smooth ride, and range of features, and they also value the technology and safety equipment. The Pilot is also described as reliable and a vehicle you can count on over the long term, which reinforces its appeal as a family SUV.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling feels a bit outdated to some shoppers, and the transmission can be irritating. Even so, the Pilot’s roomy, easy-to-live-with layout and straightforward technology fit the needs of buyers who prioritize utility over flash.

Good and great deals account for 28.6% of listings, so there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

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 reliable, dependable, and trouble-free for everyday family use. It is also described as a known quantity that should last a long time, which is exactly the kind of language used when shoppers are looking for confidence in used ownership.

On the expert side, the Pilot is described as a vehicle that stands up well over time, with Honda’s reputation for durability reinforcing that impression. The cost-effectiveness discussion also emphasizes that it is likely to be reliable and worth something when you move on.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about finding a well-kept example with consistent maintenance and no hidden wear.

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

At 72.4% 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, especially if the listing price looks unusually strong. 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 lineup includes LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The base LX is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add features such as wireless smartphone charging, a hands-free power tailgate, navigation, a premium audio system, and rear-seat entertainment.
• 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 transmission. 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 models get an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink. Higher trims add navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a premium audio system, and rear-seat entertainment.
• 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 Pilot’s core space, V6 power, and standard Honda Sensing without paying for extras.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning on top of the standard safety suite.
• EX-L: Choose this if you want a more upscale cabin feel and more comfort-oriented equipment without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• Special Edition: This trim adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate, making it a good fit if you want a more distinctive look and useful convenience upgrades.
• Touring: This is the trim to target if you want navigation, HondaLink subscription services, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and rear-seat entertainment.
• Elite: This is the upscale choice for shoppers who want standard AWD and a more premium overall setup.
• Black Edition: This is the most fully loaded version, with standard AWD and exclusive blacked-out styling details.

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

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

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 28.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,465 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.69% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,747.90, 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 $25,531 sits slightly below last year's $27,072.

That price movement suggests the Pilot has softened enough to help you buy in at a more favorable point than a year ago. For a future seller, that can be a mixed signal: you may not see the same appreciation pressure, but you are also buying after some of the recent price drop has already happened.

The Pilot’s broad family appeal, strong utility, and Honda reputation should help support demand when it is time to sell. 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 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-trim headlights earn a Good rating.

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

Honda Sensing is standard 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, so its operation is not as smooth or refined as newer setups. The lane-departure warning also uses a more noticeable steering-wheel wobble than some shoppers may prefer.

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:

• 28.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.69% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines a roomy cabin, useful technology, and a strong safety suite in a familiar package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,630, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $25,531 average.
• It offers tons of cargo space and an adult-friendly third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced buy, the 2021 is the stronger choice because it pairs a lower current market price with solid owner satisfaction and broad family appeal. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value play, especially if you find one in clean condition with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.