The 2021 Honda Pilot lasts around 250,000 miles with some relatively minor automatic braking system and windshield issues reported. At $29,525 to $39,775, it’s expensive, but worth the money for one of the most reliable midsize SUVs on the market.
Is the 2021 Honda Pilot a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is a great year for the Honda Pilot since it offers excellent practicality with high reliability ratings. Owner reviews praise the spacious third row, modern safety tech, as well as the quiet cabin.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are okay for a midsize SUV in its price range, the seats are comfortable on long drives, cargo space is also excellent.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread issues on the 2021 Honda Pilot. Avoid the 2016 model year since it has transmission failures. Choices from 2017–2022 are much more reliable.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is surprisingly good from the standard V6 engine which offers a decent amount of power for the Pilot’s weight.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2021 Pilot is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with lane keep assist, along with adaptive cruise control. Optional upgrades include blind spot monitoring along with parking sensors.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 23 MPG, giving 448 miles of range out of the 19.5 gallon tank. Gas costs are $12 more than average, at $257 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Honda Pilot is similar in price to other midsize SUVs while offering a lot of features for the money, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Honda Pilot?
- Consumer Reports says the 2021 Honda Pilot is a pleasant midsize SUV if you aren’t looking for excitement, with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Pilot at 3.9/5, enjoying the spacious cabin for the money, but says climbing into the third row can be tricky.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Pilot a 3.5/5, praising the standard safety features, but owners don’t like the low towing capacity at 5,000 pounds.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Honda Pilot Have?
Common problems found on the 2021 Honda Pilot include an overly sensitive automatic braking system, cracked windshields, along with a frozen stereo system. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other midsize SUVs on the market, leading to lower repair bills as it ages.
An overly sensitive automatic braking system is the most widespread complaint on the 2021 Honda Pilot, showing up in the first 5,000 miles. There are some software updates available for the braking system which reduce the sensitivity. Other owners have found damaged sensors. In either case, most of the time the issues are covered for free under a warranty, but cost around $150 out of warranty.
Cracked windshields are another common issue mentioned on the 2021 Pilot at around 10,000 miles. There are some batches of glass which are more prone to cracking than others when they are hit with stones. Replacing the windshield costs $550 to $750, depending on local labor rates.
A frozen stereo system has also been reported on the Honda Pilot at around 1,500 miles. There are software updates for the stereo which improve its reliability. Most dealers will install these updates for free, while some charge around $50 to update the system.
There are four recalls on the 2021 Honda Pilot, which is similar to other midsize SUVs. The most serious recall is for the sideview mirrors, which may detach while driving. Honda will inspect and reinstall mirrors on affected models for free. Other recalls cover the rearview camera software along with the tires, which Honda will also update and replace for free.
How Long Will the 2021 Honda Pilot Last?
A well-maintained 2021 Honda Pilot can last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than other midsize SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $433 per year.
As a used 2021 Honda Pilot reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the brake master cylinder for $350, door lock actuators costing $200, along with the windshield washer fluid reservoir which costs $255.
How Is the Technology?
Base entertainment technology on the LX model is simple, only offering a 5-inch central display screen. On the EX and higher models, there’s an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Standard safety technology includes:
- Rearview camera
- Collision mitigation braking
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision warning
- Lane keep assist
- Road departure mitigation
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear cross traffic alert
- LED fog lights
Is the 2021 Honda Pilot a Good Value?
Yes, the 2021 Honda Pilot is a good value since it offers a lot of passenger room paired with excellent reliability ratings as it ages. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $29,525 to $39,775, making it more than a Jeep Cherokee or Kia Sorento. When new, the price range was $32,550 to $50,220. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Honda Pilot?
There are seven different models of the Honda Pilot offered for 2021 from the base LX all the way through to the more luxurious Elite and Black Editions. The Pilot comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
LX is the entry-level model with:
- Cloth Seats
- Automatic LED Headlights
- 60/40 Split Folding Third-Row Seats
- 5-Inch Central Display
- Seven-Speaker Audio System
EX is a step up, adding:
- Keyless Entry
- Heated Mirrors
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Heated Front Seats
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- One-Touch Fold Second Row Seats
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
EX-L adds items such as:
- Leather Upholstery
- Power Liftgate
- Sunroof
- Second-Row Sunshades
- Second Row USB Charging Ports
SE is next in the lineup with:
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Wireless Smartphone Charging Pad
Touring has more upgrades including:
- Optional Second Row Captain’s Chairs
- Roof Rails
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- Heated Rear Seats
- Rear Entertainment System
- 10-Speaker Premium Audio System
Elite is the flagship model which has:
- Premium Leather Upholstery
- Auto-Dimming and Power Folding Side Mirrors
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Ventilated Front Seats
Black Edition is similar to the Elite, with minor changes such as:
- Dark Black Exterior Accents Instead of Chrome
- Red Interior Trim
What Engines Come In the Honda Pilot?
The 2021 Honda Pilot is powered by a single engine option, a 3.5-liter V6, producing a robust 280 horsepower while getting up to 23 MPG. This engine is paired with either a 6-speed automatic transmission on lower trims (LX, EX, and EX-L) or a 9-speed automatic transmission on higher trims (Touring, Elite, and Black Edition). Performance is good, taking 6.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Honda Pilot Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Honda Pilot?
The 2021 Honda Pilot is renowned for its comfort, making it an ideal choice for families and long road trips. This three-row SUV offers seating for up to eight people, guaranteeing that everyone has ample room to relax. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, providing a comfortable experience even on longer drives.
Passengers in both the second and third rows will appreciate the generous legroom and headroom, while the available one-touch second-row seats make accessing the third row a breeze. The Pilot’s cabin is also designed to minimize noise, offering a quiet ride that allows for easy conversation and enjoyment of the available premium audio system. Ride quality is smooth, as the Pilot’s suspension adeptly absorbs road imperfections, contributing to a serene driving experience.
How Much Storage Space Does the Honda Pilot Have?
The 2021 Honda Pilot is a versatile SUV offering ample storage space for families and adventurers alike. Boasting a total cargo capacity of up to 83.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down, the Pilot is designed to accommodate a variety of items.
When the third-row seats are in use, there is still a generous 16.5 cubic feet of space available, while folding down the third-row seats alone will provide you with 46.8 cubic feet of room. This versatile cargo area can easily fit bicycles, camping gear, or even a small kayak with the seats folded down. With all the seats in place, you’ll still have enough room for a few suitcases or a week’s worth of groceries.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Honda Pilot was introduced for the 2016 model year, and is going to be replaced by the fourth generation in 2023.
2015: New SE model introduced which falls between the EX and EX-L models.
2016: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new technology, engine, and styling.
2017: Standard Apple CarPlay and Android auto on all models which have a touchscreen.
2018: No major changes.
2019: Improved stereo system, standard Honda Sensing safety system, small exterior changes.
2020: Black Edition model added to the lineup with dark exterior trim.
2021: Standard nine-speed automatic transmission, dual-zone climate control offered on entry-level LX model.
How Does the Honda Pilot Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Honda Pilot is a great midsize SUV offering plenty of passenger room, along with some of the latest safety technology which helps it earn our recommendation over other SUVs on the market.
The Toyota Highlander is another midsize SUV which costs around $2,500 more. Long-term ownership costs are lower on the Toyota Highlander, while the Honda Pilot offers more passenger room. We recommend the Toyota Highlander, although both are excellent SUVs worth testing out to see which you prefer.
The Honda Passport is an SUV offered by Honda, which is available in the same price range. Where the Honda Passport stands out is with better off-road performance, while the Honda Pilot offers more passenger room. We recommend the Honda Pilot since it’s more practical, yet both are decent SUVs worth trying out.
