2021 Honda Pilot Adds Value-Packed Special Edition, Standard 9-Speed Auto

The 2021 Honda Pilot arrives at dealerships across the United States today with a new Special Edition (SE) trim and standard 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Idle Stop.

For 2021, all Honda Pilot models also get standard dual-zone climate control, while the Black Edition gains a new Platinum White Pearl color. The 2021 Honda Pilot SE builds on the EX-L trim, adding features that were previously exclusive to top grades.

Those include 20-inch black wheels, roof rails, grille and front/rear skid garnishes, a foot-activated hands-free access power tailgate, and a wireless phone charger.

Watch: 2019 Honda Pilot Vies For Top Honors In Mid-Size SUV Class

These come on top of the EX-L’s comprehensive equipment, which includes leather seats, second-row sunshades, and a power driver’s seat with 2-position memory settings. The 2021 Pilot SE carries an MSRP of $38,960 with 2WD, or $40,960 with AWD.

The rest of the lineup remains unchanged, including the powertrain, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 making 280 hp and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque. All trim levels come with either 2WD or Honda’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management (iVTM-4) all-wheel-drive system, except the top Elite and Black Edition which come equipped exclusively with AWD.

The Honda Pilot remains as versatile and family-friendly as before, offering up to eight seats (seven with the optional second-row Captain’s Chairs) thanks to available three-person capacity in both the second and third rows. The Pilot offers easy access to the third row of seats thanks to the available One-Touch Walk-In feature.

The base 2021 Honda Pilot LX 2WD model starts at $33,370 ($725 more than the equivalent 2020 model), while the range-topping Black Edition is listed for $51,040 ($325 more than for 2020). All prices include a $1,120 destination charge.

Note: 2020 Honda Pilot Elite pictured