The 2021 Honda Pilot was a three-row family SUV with a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6, a 9-speed automatic transmission on every trim, seating for up to eight, and available all-wheel drive. Honda offered seven U.S. trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite and Black Edition. Properly equipped AWD models were rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
This page has been rebuilt from Honda’s archived 2021 consumer site and Honda Information Center because the previous AutoZonic version mixed specifications, trim counts, prices and equipment from different sources and model years.
2021 Honda Pilot key specifications
| Specification | 2021 Honda Pilot |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5-liter i-VTEC direct-injection V6 with Variable Cylinder Management |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic with shift-by-wire and paddle shifters |
| Drive | 2WD or available AWD on LX through Touring; AWD standard on Elite and Black Edition |
| Rows | 3 |
| Maximum seating | Up to 8, depending on trim/seating configuration |
| Maximum towing | 3,500 lb for 2WD; 5,000 lb for AWD when properly equipped |
| Fuel | Regular unleaded; Honda recommended premium when towing more than 3,500 lb |
What changed for the 2021 Pilot?
One of the most important 2021 changes was the transmission. Honda made the 9-speed automatic standard across the Pilot lineup, rather than reserving it for selected higher trims. The model year also introduced the Special Edition trim, which bundled features including black 20-inch wheels, wireless phone charging and a hands-free access power tailgate.
This matters because the old version of this AutoZonic page alternated between 8-speed and 9-speed transmission claims. Honda’s 2021 technical documentation is clear: the 9-speed automatic was used across all seven trims.
2021 Honda Pilot trims
Honda’s archived 2021 consumer page lists the following U.S. trim hierarchy:
| Trim | Selected Honda-listed highlights | AWD |
|---|---|---|
| LX | 280-hp V6, Honda Sensing, seating for 8, multi-angle rearview camera | Available |
| EX | Intelligent Traction Management, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, one-touch second-row seats | Available |
| EX-L | Leather-trimmed seats, power moonroof, driver-seat memory, second-row sunshades | Available |
| Special Edition | Wireless phone charger, hands-free power tailgate, black roof rails, 20-inch black wheels | Available |
| Touring | Rear entertainment system, heated front/rear seats, premium audio, LED headlights | Available |
| Elite | Panoramic roof, second-row captain’s chairs, heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel | Standard |
| Black Edition | Black Edition exterior/interior trim, 20-inch black wheels, red ambient lighting | Standard |
2021 Honda Pilot engine and transmission
Every 2021 Pilot used Honda’s 3.5-liter direct-injection i-VTEC V6 with Variable Cylinder Management. Honda rated it at 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters across the lineup.
That common powertrain is important when comparing trims: moving from LX to Touring, Elite or Black Edition did not mean switching to a completely different engine. Most trim differences centered on drive configuration, cabin features, seating, technology and styling.
2021 Honda Pilot MPG
Honda’s EPA-rating table lists:
| Drivetrain | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD (LX through Touring) | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg |
| AWD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg |
Elite and Black Edition were AWD-only in Honda’s 2021 lineup. Actual fuel economy varies with driving conditions, load, maintenance and driving style.
2021 Honda Pilot towing capacity
Honda rated the 2021 Pilot for a maximum of 3,500 pounds with 2WD and 5,000 pounds with AWD when properly equipped. Honda also recommended premium unleaded fuel when towing more than 3,500 pounds and directed owners to the owner’s manual for the full towing requirements.
Towing capacity should not be determined from the trim badge alone. Drivetrain, equipment, hitch setup, passenger/cargo load and trailer configuration all matter.
Seating and family usability
The 2021 Pilot had three rows and could seat up to eight. Seating configuration changed by trim. Honda specifically listed second-row captain’s chairs on Elite, while Touring offered them as an available configuration in Honda’s feature documentation.
For buyers comparing individual used vehicles, inspect the actual second-row layout rather than assuming every Touring, Elite or Black Edition has the same number of seats.
Safety and driver-assistance equipment
Honda listed Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistance technology on every 2021 Pilot trim. Honda’s 2021 feature guide also lists the ACE body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist and advanced airbag systems among the model’s safety features. Additional equipment such as Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor varied by trim.
2021 Pilot original pricing: why you may see two different numbers
Pricing references for the 2021 Pilot require context. American Honda’s June 17, 2020 launch announcement listed the 2WD LX at $32,250 MSRP before the $1,120 destination charge. Honda’s archived consumer page currently displays a $32,550 starting MSRP, indicating that pricing shown during the model year was not static.
For a used-car value calculation today, those historical MSRPs are only reference points. The original Monroney/window sticker or VIN-specific build information is a better source for the exact factory price and options of an individual vehicle.
Was the 2021 Honda Pilot midsize or full-size?
Honda’s archived 2021 consumer page labels the 2021 Pilot a “Midsize Family SUV.” Honda’s current 2026 Pilot page uses “Full-Size Family SUV.” That change is exactly why AutoZonic now treats size classifications as model-year-dependent instead of repeating one permanent label across every Pilot generation.
See our separate Honda Pilot midsize vs. full-size explanation for the classification issue.
2021 Honda Pilot buying checklist
- Confirm the exact trim and whether the vehicle is 2WD or AWD.
- Verify eight-seat versus captain’s-chair configuration.
- Check the VIN/build sheet rather than relying only on exterior badges.
- Review maintenance records and any completed recalls or service campaigns.
- Test every driver-assistance, infotainment, climate and power-seat function.
- If towing matters, verify the installed towing equipment and use Honda’s owner-manual requirements.
- Have a used example inspected independently before purchase.
Related Honda Pilot guides
- Honda Pilot research hub
- Is the Honda Pilot midsize or full-size?
- Is the Honda Pilot an SUV or minivan?
- What year is a bad year for the Honda Pilot?
- Do newer Honda Pilots have transmission problems?
References
- Honda — archived 2021 Pilot consumer page
- Honda Information Center — 2021 Pilot specifications
- Honda Information Center — 2021 Pilot feature highlights
- Honda Information Center — 2021 Pilot EPA fuel-economy ratings
- Honda Information Center — 2021 Pilot towing capacity
About this article
Updated August 9, 2026 by the AutoZonic Editorial Team. This legacy AI-generated article was re-researched against Honda’s archived 2021 consumer and technical documentation. Conflicting trim counts, transmission claims, pricing statements, generation claims and unsupported feature lists from the previous version were removed. Historical pricing is presented with date/source context because Honda’s launch and archived consumer figures differ.
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