The 2021 Honda Pilot is beginning to arrive at dealerships with a new Special Edition (SE) trim, standard 9-speed transmission with paddle shifters, standard dual-zone climate control and a new Platinum White Pearl color available for the Black Edition trim.
The new 2021 Pilot SE builds on the popular EX-L trim with additional features that, until now, were exclusive to top trims. In addition to the EX-L’s levels of equipment, which includes leather seats, second-row sunshades and a power driver’s seat with 2-position memory settings, the new Pilot SE adds 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, available in 2WD or AWD.
Pilot Touring continues to offer features that include Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System, Blu-Ray based rear-seat entertainment, parking sensors, in-car Wi-Fi, heated second-row outboard seats, available second-row Captain’s Chairs and exterior styling enhancements that include inline LED headlights, chrome door handles and more. The Pilot Elite trim adds even more, including standard second-row Captain’s Chairs, dual moonroof, ventilated front seats, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel and more.
Black Edition adds black-painted wheels, blackout trim on the grille, window surround and door sash, red interior lighting and red highlights in the perforated leather. New for 2021, Pilot Black Edition is now available in Platinum White Pearl.
One of the few models in its segment to offer eight seating positions (seven with the optional second-row Captain’s Chairs), with available three-person capacity in both the second and third rows, Pilot also offers third-row access thanks to the available One-Touch Walk-In feature. All Pilot trims also come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistive and safety technologies.
Additional technology highlights including an available 8-inch touchscreen Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, CabinTalk in-vehicle public address system, wireless smartphone charging and a hands-free access power tailgate.
The 2021 Pilot’s off-road and all-weather driving capabilities are assisted by Honda’s available intelligent Variable Torque Management system (i-VTM4) with true torque-vectoring. Standard on all AWD models, i-VTM4 uses an electronically-controlled, hydraulically-actuated rear differential to apportion engine torque between the front and rear axles and dynamically distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels. The benefits are superior all-weather handling and neutral, accurate steering under power.
