Used 2021 Honda Pilot for Sale near North Carolina

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 $20,762
• 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 great value with essential features.

• Avg. market price: $20,762 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 303 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 features and price without the added cost of AWD. It’s a solid choice for everyday driving.

• Avg. market price: $22,162 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 1,015 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 the highest price tag. It’s the most popular trim for good reason.

• Avg. market price: $22,781 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 2,246 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 practical choice for families.

• Avg. market price: $23,890 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 393 listings
• View SE AWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want advanced features and comfort without the AWD premium. It’s ideal for those who prioritize tech.

• Avg. market price: $25,856 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 467 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. It’s perfect for those who enjoy driving.

• Avg. market price: $24,820 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,570 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 an SUV. It’s designed for those who appreciate premium features.

• Avg. market price: $27,271 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,757 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 with all-wheel drive. It’s perfect for those who want to stand out.

• Avg. market price: $28,290 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 488 listings
• View Black Edition AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — EX-L AWD

With 2,246 active listings, the EX-L AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup, offering a great mix of features and value.

Browse EX-L AWD listings

Best Budget Option — EX AWD

At $20,762 avg market price — below the lineup median of $24,355 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse EX AWD 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 November 5, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Honda Pilot cost?

Prices have softened 7.09% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,616 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for you to compare trims and prices.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.9/5 user-rated SUV with an expert score of 7.2/10. 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 easy-to-use technology and the overall sense that the Pilot is a dependable, long-term family SUV.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, and the transmission can be irritating. That makes the Pilot especially appealing if you want a practical three-row SUV for everyday family use rather than something flashy or sporty.

There are 36.9% good or great deals in the market, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?

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

User feedback points to a vehicle that owners expect to be reliable, last a long time, and be worth something when it’s time to move on. The Pilot’s reputation for being a known quantity also supports confidence in everyday ownership.

The expert review reinforces that dependability angle by describing the Pilot as a practical SUV that becomes an indispensable tool for the whole family. Honda’s cost-effectiveness notes also emphasize that it is likely to be reliable and hold value well.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about durability and more about whether the Pilot’s age, features, and refinement still match your expectations.

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

At 71.6% 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 careful inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and any signs of prior repair. It’s also smart to focus on overall condition, because the Pilot’s value depends heavily on how well it has been maintained and whether its features still work as expected.

Pay close attention to how the SUV drives, how the transmission behaves, and whether the cabin and technology systems feel cleanly maintained. If you’re comparing multiple listings, the best one is usually the one with the clearest history and the most consistent condition.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add features such as leather, wireless smartphone charging, a hands-free power tailgate, navigation, a premium audio system, and rear-seat entertainment. The Special Edition adds blacked-out styling touches and useful convenience upgrades, while the Elite and Black Edition include standard AWD.
• Powertrain: Every Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The available torque-vectoring AWD system can send up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel, and fuel-saving measures include variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start.
• Safety package: 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.
• Infotainment: Most trims include an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink connected services. Wireless phone charging appears on the Special Edition, while Touring adds navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA says the AWD version should get 22 mpg in combined driving, 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 lowest-cost way into the Pilot’s space, V6 power, and standard Honda Sensing safety suite.
• EX: This is the trim that adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, making it a smart value step up if safety tech matters to you.
• EX-L: This is the trim to consider if you want a more upscale cabin feel without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• Special Edition: This is the best-value pick for many shoppers because it adds black 20-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate.
• Touring: Choose this if you want the richer tech and family-friendly convenience upgrades, including navigation, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio, and rear-seat entertainment.
• Elite: This is the luxury-leaning choice, and it also gets standard AWD.
• Black Edition: Pick this if you want the most fully loaded Pilot with the boldest appearance treatment and standard AWD.

Starting with EX trim, the Pilot adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 36.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,616 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.09% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,434, 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 $24,434 sits slightly below last year's $26,299.

That softer pricing can be good news if you’re buying now, but it also means future resale gains may be more limited if the market stays under pressure. If you plan to sell later, the Pilot’s value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and whether it has a clean history.

The model’s strong reputation for practicality and family usefulness should help it stay appealing to used buyers. 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 marks for front-passenger protection in a frontal impact, and the IIHS gives it its highest “good” ratings except for an “acceptable” score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

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 to keep in mind is that the Pilot uses an older version of Honda Sensing, and the lane-departure warning can feel overly obvious. The standard headlights also score lower than the upgraded lights on higher trims.

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:

• 36.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.09% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It blends family practicality, easy-to-use technology, and a spacious cabin.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $21,874, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $24,434 average.
• It offers tons of cargo space and an adult-friendly third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced used Pilot, the 2021 is the stronger all-around pick because it combines solid pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and broad family usefulness. If your top priority is saving money, the 2020 is worth a look, especially if you find one in excellent condition with the features you want.

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 is the better fit if you value easy-to-use tech and a roomy, practical cabin. The Highlander edges it on overall score and ride quality, but its base engine and outdated technology are notable drawbacks.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.