Honda Pilot LX V6
The Honda Pilot LX V6 packs 280 horsepower, 23 mpg, and great safety features along with comfortable handling.
Written by Jessica Gibson
Reviewed by Christelle Agustin
Table of Contents
The Honda Pilot is an icon among SUVs known for its third-row seating, commanding engine, decent gas mileage, and a V6 engine to top it all off.
Motorheads love that the Honda Pilot doesn’t give up a high-octane engine when they pick up the keys to this spacious SUV. Although Honda has offered a V6 engine on every Pilot LX since 2003, it discontinued the LX trim level in 2022. We’ve still got you covered, though!
Check out our guide to the last Honda Pilot LX model year to learn more. We’ll go over its basic specs and compare it to the EX trim. Let’s begin!
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers2021 Honda Pilot LX V6
Starting price: $33,370
Engine: 3.5-liter SOHC 24-valve i-VTEC® V6
Horsepower: 280 @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
0 to 60: 6.3 seconds
The Honda Pilot might be the vehicle that springs to mind when you think of an SUV. After all, Honda was the first to offer a three-row SUV, and the sales numbers of Pilots since 2003 prove that it's a driver favorite. What’s not to love?
Here are the standard features found on the third-generation Pilot (the last to have the LX trim):
- Honda Sensing: automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control
- Tri-zone climate control
- Five-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Power door and tailgate locks
- Engine oil-life indicator
- Bluetooth and USB ports
- Push button start
- Interior LED lights
How’s the fuel economy?
The Pilot has pretty good fuel efficiency for having a V6 engine. Most midsize SUVs average between 20 and 25 mpg, and the Pilot LX gets a combined 23 mpg for the FWD option and 22 combined mpg with AWD.
If you want better fuel efficiency, you’ll probably want to go with a standard four-cylinder engine instead of the more powerful V6. You won’t get the quick acceleration that the Pilot delivers, but you’ll be
saving money on gas
!Which Honda Pilot models have the V6?
Each Honda Pilot made since 2003 comes with a V6 engine, regardless of trim level. However, Honda discontinued the LX trim across its entire lineup in 2022, making 2021 the last Honda Pilot LX. Fortunately, all the other trim levels (
EX
, EX-L
, Special Edition, Touring
, and Black Edition) come with V6 engines.How fast is the Honda Pilot V6?
Unfortunately, the Pilot doesn’t appear on any of the “Fastest SUV” lists—other makes with eight-cylinder engines are simply more powerful. However, when it comes to SUVs with V6 engines, Pilot holds its own, zipping from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 6.3 seconds (and tying with Acura MDX).
Here are just a few midsize SUVs with V6 engines that are faster than the Honda Pilot:
- Buick Enclave: 5.75 seconds
- GMC Acadia: 6.1 seconds
If you truly want to get serious acceleration, go for an SUV with a V8 engine. Here are some of the fastest in the midsize SUV class:
Keep in mind that faster, more powerful engines trade off fuel efficiency.
Which is better: Pilot LX or EX?
The Pilot LX is a fun family SUV that gets high safety ratings. If you’re not looking for many bells and whistles, the LX is an affordable entry point to the Pilot lineup. However, the LX’s infotainment features leave something to be desired, especially if you plan on integrating your smartphone.
The EX starts at $34,930, and it offers a better value. You’ll get all the standard features of the LX, plus heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, blind-spot monitoring, a bigger touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
With such a small price difference, we’d recommend the EX if you want more of the modern tech features.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
FAQs
Does the Pilot LX come in V6?
Yes—each Honda Pilot trim level comes with a standard V6 engine. This means no splurging on upgraded trims or packages just to get a powerful engine.
Are V6 Pilots reliable?
Yes, with the Pilot SUV, you get the quality and value that you’ve come to expect from Honda. J.D. Power gives the 2021 Pilot an 81/100 rating for quality and reliability, placing it at #3 in the upper-midsize SUV class.
Does the Pilot have AWD?
All-wheel drive isn’t standard for any Pilot trim level. Instead, you’ll get front-wheel drive, but you do have the option of upgrading to AWD. Just keep in mind that the LX trim doesn’t have a terrain-management system like the other trim levels.
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