Touring 7 Passenger 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
2021 Honda Pilot
The 2021 Honda Pilot carries over the same generation that dates back five years now, making it one of the oldest three-row crossovers on the market. Considering how many impressive new or redesigned entries have been introduced since then, it's surprising that the Pilot manages to remain as relevant as it does. Though certainly overshadowed, it's still an ultra-practical choice blessed with an abundance of clever storage, ample cargo capacity and a well-sorted driving experience that nicely toes the line between comfort and response. There's also the matter of Honda's long-standing reputation for reliability and resale value. Basically, the Pilot can be considered the most sensible of three-row family crossovers (though the Subaru Ascent sure comes awfully close). Of course, "sensible" often doesn't equate to "desirable" as the makers of plain black running shoes can attest. The Pilot is a bit frumpy to look at, and the rather plain interior design doesn't reach the near-luxury heights of the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander or Mazda CX-9. Even the Pilot's five-passenger fraternal twin, the Passport, manages to be a bit cooler. But such things are in the eye of the beholder. While we think the Telluride and Palisade in particular are stronger overall choices, the Pilot is nevertheless a well-rounded crossover that'll make sense for many families. What's new for 2021? The nine-speed automatic transmission that was previously exclusive to top trims is now standard across the board (it's a good thing Honda finally managed to clean up the nine-speed's wonky performance from earlier model years). The base LX gains a few extra standard features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, and a new Special Edition trim level debuts. Long a tool Honda pulls out toward the end of a car's generational lifespan, the "SE" as it's also known effectively adds some distinctive styling bits and a few extra features to the EX-L trim level. One final addition for 2021: the Pilot Black Edition can now be painted white, which totally makes sense. What are the Pilot interior and in-car technology like? Although those oxblood red accents in the Black Edition go a long way to spruce things up, we still wouldn't call the Pilot's cabin the most stylish out there. A Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander can make it look pretty plain. However, it's also one of the highest-quality and functional cabins in the segment, largely intended with the goal of making parents' lives easier. As we discovered in our Pilot interior review, there are bins everywhere up front, including a giant center bin that's big enough to hide a purse or other valuables. Better still, its flat rolling cover provides extra storage since it doesn't need to serve double duty as an armrest (there are minivan-style rests attached to each front seat). There are also multiple tiers of bins on the doors and in the center stack. Technology isn't as well-executed. Yes, there are plenty of included features on everything save the more basic LX, but the …
Full Review
The 2021 Honda Pilot carries over the same generation that dates back five years now, making it one of the oldest three-row crossovers on the market. Considering how many impressive new or redesigned entries have been introduced since then, it's surprising that the Pilot manages to remain as relevant as it does. Though certainly overshadowed, it's still an ultra-practical choice blessed with an abundance of clever storage, ample cargo capacity and a well-sorted driving experience that nicely toes the line between comfort and response. There's also the matter of Honda's long-standing reputation for reliability and resale value. Basically, the Pilot can be considered the most sensible of three-row family crossovers (though the Subaru Ascent sure comes awfully close). Of course, "sensible" often doesn't equate to "desirable" as the makers of plain black running shoes can attest. The Pilot is a bit frumpy to look at, and the rather plain interior design doesn't reach the near-luxury heights of the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander or Mazda CX-9. Even the Pilot's five-passenger fraternal twin, the Passport, manages to be a bit cooler. But such things are in the eye of the beholder. While we think the Telluride and Palisade in particular are stronger overall choices, the Pilot is nevertheless a well-rounded crossover that'll make sense for many families. What's new for 2021? The nine-speed automatic transmission that was previously exclusive to top trims is now standard across the board (it's a good thing Honda finally managed to clean up the nine-speed's wonky performance from earlier model years). The base LX gains a few extra standard features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, and a new Special Edition trim level debuts. Long a tool Honda pulls out toward the end of a car's generational lifespan, the "SE" as it's also known effectively adds some distinctive styling bits and a few extra features to the EX-L trim level. One final addition for 2021: the Pilot Black Edition can now be painted white, which totally makes sense. What are the Pilot interior and in-car technology like? Although those oxblood red accents in the Black Edition go a long way to spruce things up, we still wouldn't call the Pilot's cabin the most stylish out there. A Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander can make it look pretty plain. However, it's also one of the highest-quality and functional cabins in the segment, largely intended with the goal of making parents' lives easier. As we discovered in our Pilot interior review, there are bins everywhere up front, including a giant center bin that's big enough to hide a purse or other valuables. Better still, its flat rolling cover provides extra storage since it doesn't need to serve double duty as an armrest (there are minivan-style rests attached to each front seat). There are also multiple tiers of bins on the doors and in the center stack. Technology isn't as well-executed. Yes, there are plenty of included features on everything save the more basic LX, but the …
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Retail Price
$43,520
MSRP / Window Sticker Price
| Engine | 3.5L V-6 |
| MPG | 20 City / 27 Hwy |
| Seating | 7 Passengers |
| Transmission | 9-spd auto w/OD |
| Power | 280 @ 6000 rpm |
| Drivetrain | front-wheel |
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