Used 2021 Honda Pilot for Sale near North Carolina

Compare 2021 Honda Pilot Trims

The 2021 Honda Pilot offers a range of trims with versatile AWD and FWD options, catering to various budgets and preferences.

• Starting at $23,403
• 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-rounded SUV with essential features without paying for luxury extras.

• Avg. market price: $23,480 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 285 listings
• View EX AWD listings

EX-L FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX-L FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a comfortable ride with premium features without the AWD price tag.

• Avg. market price: $23,403 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 948 listings
• 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 top-tier trims.

• Avg. market price: $24,677 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,991 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 solid mix of features and performance without breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $24,767 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 386 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 comfort for family trips without the AWD cost.

• Avg. market price: $26,057 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 445 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty SUV with all-wheel drive and premium features for a more dynamic drive.

• Avg. market price: $28,283 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,417 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 advanced features in a family-friendly SUV.

• Avg. market price: $29,327 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,500 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, feature-rich SUV that stands out on the road.

• Avg. market price: $28,971 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 426 listings
• View Black Edition AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — EX-L AWD

With 1,991 active listings, the EX-L AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse EX-L AWD listings

Best Budget Option — EX-L FWD

At $23,403 avg market price — below the lineup median of $25,412 — 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 at 20/27 MPG.

Browse EX-L FWD listings

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

How much does the 2021 Honda Pilot cost?

Prices have softened 5.30% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,608 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare on price and condition.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot a good car?

Yes — with a 4.86/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating, you’re looking at a model that resonates strongly with owners and still earns a solid expert score. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the Pilot’s spaciousness, smooth ride, and range of features. They also value the technology and safety equipment, along with the overall value for a large SUV.

The trade-offs are familiar: the design can feel a bit outdated, and the cabin’s appeal is more practical than flashy. That lines up with the overview, which frames this Pilot as a family-friendly three-row SUV that prioritizes utility, comfort, and easy day-to-day use over standout styling.

With 33.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a compelling example if you shop carefully.

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, with many shoppers appreciating that it can be counted on for spacious family use, smooth operation, and strong overall value. The expert evaluation also reinforces that impression by describing the Pilot as a known quantity that should be reliable and last a long time.

Honda’s cost-effectiveness commentary adds that the Pilot is likely to be worth something when you decide to replace it, which supports the case for long-term ownership. For used buyers, the main risk is less about the model’s reputation and more about finding one that has been maintained well enough to preserve that durability.

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

At 73.5% 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 you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with visible wear. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and signs of prior bodywork so you can separate a clean, well-kept Pilot from one that has been repaired after damage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup spans LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The base LX is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more convenience and luxury features; the Special Edition stands out with black 20-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate.
• Powertrain: Every Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and available torque-vectoring all-wheel drive adds traction and can send up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel.
• 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, so the base LX misses that extra layer of coverage.
• Infotainment: Most versions use an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink. Wireless phone charging arrives on the Special Edition, while Touring adds navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD version 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 starting price and can live without the extra convenience and safety content found higher up the range.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning while keeping the Pilot’s core family-friendly strengths intact.
• EX-L: Choose this if you want a more upscale cabin feel and are willing to pay for more comfort-oriented equipment.
• Special Edition: This is the smart pick if you want a stronger style statement plus wireless phone charging and a hands-free power tailgate without jumping to the pricier upper trims.
• Touring: This is the right choice if you want the most useful tech upgrades, including navigation, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio, rear-seat entertainment, and Cabin Talk.
• Elite: This trim is for shoppers who want the most upscale standard equipment and standard AWD.
• Black Edition: Pick this if you want the fully loaded version with the blacked-out look and standard AWD.

Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup, but 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 for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient and compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,608 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,743, 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 $25,516 sits slightly below last year's $26,944.

That softer pricing suggests the Pilot is more affordable to buy now than it was a year ago, which can help you if you’re shopping used. For a future seller, the current trend means you should expect a more competitive resale environment than last year’s market.

Even so, the Pilot still benefits from broad family appeal, practical utility, and a reputation that supports demand. Well-kept examples should remain easier to move than less established rivals, especially if they have strong equipment and clean history.

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 marks for front-passenger protection in a frontal impact. 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, 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 to keep in mind 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:

• 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.30% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the Pilot’s roomy cabin, useful technology, and family-friendly practicality front and center.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,526, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $25,516 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, inventory, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the stronger default choice. If your top priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Pilot’s core family-hauling strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.