Used 2021 Honda Pilot for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

Compare 2021 Honda Pilot Trims in San Diego, CA

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

• Starting at $20,130
• 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: $24,146 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 19 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• 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 efficiency without the added cost of AWD.

• Avg. market price: $24,146 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 41 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 balance of luxury and capability without going for the highest trim.

• Avg. market price: $24,146 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 55 listings
• View EX-L AWD listings

SE AWD — "Who It's For"

The SE AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option with essential features and AWD capability.

• Avg. market price: $20,130 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 19 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SE AWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded SUV with advanced features and a focus on comfort.

• Avg. market price: $26,623 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 20 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 23 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Touring AWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring AWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features and the versatility of all-wheel drive.

• Avg. market price: $24,146 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 39 listings
• 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 technology in their SUV.

• Avg. market price: $24,146 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 54 listings
• 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 sporty edge.

• Avg. market price: $24,146 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 19 city / 26 hwy
• Inventory: 15 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Black Edition AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — EX-L AWD

With 55 active listings, the EX-L AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse EX-L AWD listings

Best Budget Option — SE AWD

At $20,130 avg market price — below the lineup median of $24,146 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse SE AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — EX-L FWD

The EX-L FWD offers the best fuel efficiency at 20/27 MPG.

Browse EX-L FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Honda Pilot cost?

Prices have softened 5.92% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,607 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

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. The user feedback also points to strong overall value for a large SUV, along with technology and safety features that make it easy to live with. In practical terms, that lines up with the Pilot’s family-friendly use case: you’re getting a three-row crossover that prioritizes everyday usefulness, comfort, and utility over flash.

The main trade-offs are its fairly pedestrian performance and irritating transmission. Even so, the Pilot still fits shoppers who want a roomy, straightforward SUV that feels satisfying over time rather than exciting on first glance.

With 37.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s meaningful shopping opportunity if you compare carefully.

Is the 2021 Honda Pilot reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a vehicle that owners can count on for spaciousness, smooth operation, and overall value. The expert evaluation also describes Honda as a known quantity that is likely to be reliable, last a long time, and hold value well. That combination suggests the Pilot is built for steady ownership rather than constant attention.

Honda also frames the Pilot as a family tool that becomes indispensable with time, which reinforces its dependability appeal. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the transmission and older tech feel acceptable to you over years of use.

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

At 72.7% 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. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and how the transmission and brakes feel on a test drive. Because this model is often bought for family duty, interior wear and overall maintenance history matter too.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add features such as leather, tech upgrades, and more upscale equipment. The Special Edition adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate, while Touring and above bring more convenience and entertainment features.
• 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, with torque-vectoring AWD standard on Elite and Black Edition.
• Safety package: Honda Sensing is standard on every trim 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 basic HondaLink connected services. Touring adds navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a premium audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD model is rated at 22 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg on the testing 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-cost way into the Pilot’s space and core family utility, but it leaves you with the fewest comfort and convenience features.
• EX: This is the trim that adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning, making it the best-value choice for many shoppers who want a better safety and convenience balance without moving too far up the price ladder.
• EX-L: Choose this if you want a more upscale cabin feel, since it moves the Pilot toward a more comfort-focused setup.
• Special Edition: This is the best fit if you want a stronger style statement plus useful extras like wireless phone charging and a hands-free power tailgate.
• Touring: Pick this if you want the biggest jump in family-friendly tech, including navigation, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio, and rear-seat entertainment.
• Elite: This is the upscale choice, with standard AWD and the most premium positioning in the lineup.
• Black Edition: Choose this if you want the fully loaded version with the blacked-out look and exclusive interior 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 for selective buyers, so it rewards comparison shopping rather than impulse buying.

• Deal availability: 37.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,607 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.92% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.7% 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 $25,042 sits slightly below last year's $26,616.

That decline suggests the market has become a bit more buyer-friendly, which can work against a future seller if prices keep easing. Still, the Pilot’s broad family appeal and practical reputation help support demand. If you maintain the vehicle well and keep a clean history, you’re more likely to preserve value than a neglected example would.

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 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. 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.

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:

• 37.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.92% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It emphasizes everyday usefulness, with a roomy interior, smooth ride, and straightforward technology.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $22,331, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $25,042 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 priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Pilot’s core space-and-utility strengths.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.