Used 2021 Honda Pilot for Sale nearPalatine, IL

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 $23,507
• 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 AWD without paying for higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $23,514 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 272 listings
• View EX AWD listings

EX-L FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX-L FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of comfort and technology without the AWD price premium.

• Avg. market price: $23,507 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 910 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 popular trim with luxury features and all-wheel drive capability.

• Avg. market price: $24,752 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,898 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 AWD without going for the top trims.

• Avg. market price: $24,680 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 387 listings
• View SE AWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want advanced features and a spacious interior without the AWD cost.

• Avg. market price: $27,227 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 429 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.

• Avg. market price: $28,216 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,353 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 technology in their SUV without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $29,035 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 1,449 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 with a unique look.

• Avg. market price: $29,343 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 421 listings
• View Black Edition AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — EX-L AWD

With 1,898 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 $23,507 avg market price — below the lineup median of $25,989 — 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 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Honda Pilot cost?

Prices have softened 5.77% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,567 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $24,748.70, 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 spacious cabin, smooth ride, and broad feature set, and they also value the technology and safety equipment available. The Pilot is also described as a strong value for a large SUV, with a practical, easy-to-live-with character that fits family use well.

The trade-offs are that the design can feel dated compared with rivals, and the transmission can be irritating. In context, that means you should expect a family-focused three-row SUV that prioritizes utility, comfort, and straightforward tech over flashy styling or excitement.

31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

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, long-term friendly, and easy to count on, with many shoppers highlighting its spaciousness, smooth ride, and overall value. The cost-effectiveness commentary also frames it as a known quantity that is likely to be reliable and last a long time.

The Pilot’s powertrain is described as smooth and refined, and the SUV’s overall character supports everyday durability rather than high-strung behavior. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright fragility and more about whether you can live with its average value equation and aging design.

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

At 72.8% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the vehicle’s equipment and operation match the trim level being advertised.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes the base LX, the popular EX, the leather-lined EX-L, the Special Edition, the tech-equipped Touring, the upscale Elite, and the Black Edition. The base trim is the most stripped-down, 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 model 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, with torque-vectoring AWD standard on the Elite and Black Edition.
• 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 the EX trim.
• Infotainment: Most models get an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink. Touring adds navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
• 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 and V6 power at the lowest price, but you give up the richer convenience and tech features 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 staying below the more expensive comfort and luxury trims.
• EX-L: Choose this if you want a more upscale cabin feel and more family-friendly comfort without jumping all the way to the tech-heavy upper trims.
• 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 style and convenience upgrades.
• Touring: This is the right pick if you want the most useful tech and family features, including navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a premium audio system, rear-seat entertainment, and Cabin Talk.
• Elite: This trim brings standard AWD and sits near the top of the range for shoppers who want a more fully equipped Pilot.
• Black Edition: This is the most fully loaded version, with exclusive blacked-out styling and unique interior details, and it suits you if you want the most distinctive appearance and standard AWD.

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

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,567 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.77% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,748.70, 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 $25,474 sits slightly below last year's $27,033.

That softer pricing can help you buy more affordably now, but it also suggests the market has already adjusted downward from prior levels. If you plan to sell later, the Pilot’s value will depend on how well you preserve condition, mileage, and accident-free 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Pilot a five-star overall rating despite four-star marks for front-passenger protection in a frontal impact.

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

Honda Sensing is standard, and it includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with EX trim, the Pilot also adds 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 more noticeable steering-wheel wobble than some shoppers may prefer. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Pilot 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 improve to “good.”

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:

• 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.77% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines a spacious cabin, smooth ride, and useful technology in a family-friendly three-row package.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,517, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $25,474 average.
• It offers tons of cargo space and an adult-friendly third row.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping opportunity, the 2021 is the stronger pick because it combines softer pricing, solid inventory, and strong owner satisfaction. If your top priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value path, especially if you can find one in clean condition with the features you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.