5 Reasons to Love (and Maybe Chuckle at) the 2021 Honda Pilot Interior

The 2021 Honda Pilot offers a versatile interior with room for the whole family, their gear, and a couple of snacks too. This mid-size SUV has earned a reputation for being dependable and spacious with plenty of modern touches. Whether you're a seasoned Honda fan or just curious about what the Pilot has to offer this year you're in the right place.

From third-row seating to clever storage solutions the Pilot’s interior is packed with convenience. Still no car is perfect right? So let's dive into what works what doesn't and where you might get a giggle or two out of Honda's latest family hauler.

Overview of the 2021 Honda Pilot Interior

When you first step inside the 2021 Honda Pilot it feels like walking into a well-organized living room. Spacious practical and user-friendly the Pilot can comfortably accommodate eight passengers. The materials while not ultra-luxurious are high quality and durable—perfect for families with kids (or really messy adults).

Cabin Space and Seating Comfort

With three rows of seating the Honda Pilot offers plenty of room for everyone. The front seats are plush and supportive perfect for long road trips or quick runs to the grocery store. The second row can either be a bench or two captain's chairs (which are more comfortable if we're being honest). But it’s the third row where things get interesting.

Sure Honda says the third row can fit adults but let's be real it’s more suited for smaller passengers or your most flexible friends. If you're over six feet tall you might feel like you're practicing yoga back there.

• Front row: Super comfy seats with enough adjustment to make even the pickiest driver happy.
• Second row: Available as either a bench or captain's chairs offering flexibility.
• Third row: It’s there it works but let's hope your third-row passengers don’t have a long commute.

Alex Collantes a long-time Honda enthusiast says “I love how comfortable the front seats are and the captain's chairs in the second row feel like I'm flying first class! But I’d suggest leaving the third row to the kids unless you're feeling like a contortionist.”

Cargo Space: Bringing Everything (And the Kitchen Sink)

One of the biggest advantages of the Pilot is its cargo space. With the third row folded down the SUV offers a whopping 46.8 cubic feet of storage. Fold down both the second and third rows and that expands to 83.9 cubic feet! It’s big enough to haul anything from sports equipment to a full set of groceries for your next neighborhood cookout.

But here’s the catch: with the third row up the cargo space shrinks dramatically to just 16.5 cubic feet. That's enough space for a couple of bags but not much more. So if you're planning a family road trip and need that third row you might want to invest in a good rooftop carrier. Or just leave half the kids at home.

• 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row (good luck fitting luggage here)
• 46.8 cubic feet with the third row down (road trip ready)
• 83.9 cubic feet with both rows folded (hello Costco run!)

Alex's Advice:

“I’ve packed up the Pilot for camping trips and honestly the space is amazing once you fold the seats down. Just make sure you have an efficient packing system because with all three rows up you’ll be playing Tetris with your bags.”

Tech and Connectivity Features: The Smart Family SUV

The 2021 Honda Pilot comes with a host of tech features aimed at making life easier for drivers and passengers alike. From smartphone integration to rear-seat entertainment there’s plenty here to keep the family entertained and connected on long drives.

Infotainment System

The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is easy to use though some people might find it a tad outdated compared to flashier systems from competitors like Kia or Hyundai. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across the lineup so you won’t be left fumbling with cords trying to figure out how to play your Spotify playlist.

However the interface could be more intuitive. Let’s just say that if you’re not tech-savvy you might find yourself accidentally changing the climate controls instead of tuning the radio. But once you get the hang of it everything works smoothly.

• 8-inch touchscreen standard on all trims
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included
• Wireless charging on higher trims (because who needs more cables right?)

Potential Drawback: Some users have reported that the touchscreen can be a little sluggish especially when switching between apps. Maybe that’s Honda’s way of encouraging us to practice patience?

Alex’s Thoughts:

“The infotainment system is good but not amazing. It gets the job done but sometimes I feel like it’s a bit slow. But hey it’s better than no system at all and my kids love being able to connect their phones easily.”

Rear-Seat Entertainment System

For those who opt for the higher trims you can get the rear-seat entertainment system—a blessing on road trips especially if you've got kids who ask “are we there yet?” every five minutes. The system comes with a Blu-ray player and a 10.2-inch screen. It’s like bringing a mini movie theater on the road.

Still if your kids are more into streaming than DVDs this might feel a bit old-school. But hey nostalgia right?

Climate Control and Comfort Features

Nobody likes a car that’s either too hot or too cold. Thankfully the Pilot offers tri-zone automatic climate control which means the driver front passenger and rear-seat passengers can all control their own temperatures. No more arguing over whether it's too cold or too hot—everyone gets to be just the right level of cozy.

Heated and Ventilated Seats

On higher trims you also get heated and ventilated front seats which are perfect for those unpredictable weather days. Whether you're shivering in winter or sweating in summer the Pilot has you covered. The second-row passengers can enjoy heated seats too—lucky them!

But the third-row passengers? Well they're stuck with whatever's happening up front. Sorry third-row gang.

Alex’s Verdict:

“The heated seats are a lifesaver in the winter. I just wish Honda showed a little more love to the third-row passengers with some climate control back there.”

Interior Quality: Practical Not Posh

Honda’s approach to the Pilot’s interior is more about practicality than luxury. You won’t find any leather-wrapped dashboards or high-end materials like you would in a luxury SUV but what you do get is durability. The materials are easy to clean (because we all know kids + snacks = mess) and the design is simple.

That said some may feel the interior design is a little too simple. It’s not going to wow you but it’s functional. For most buyers that’s probably enough but if you’re looking for high-end luxury you might want to check out the Acura MDX (which shares the same platform as the Pilot but is fancier).

Potential Drawback: The cabin can feel a bit plasticky at times but let’s be honest when your kids spill juice you’ll appreciate how easy it is to wipe down.

Premium Audio System

If you're a music lover the Pilot’s 10-speaker premium audio system (available on higher trims) does a decent job of delivering clear sound. It's no concert hall but it's more than enough to make that daily commute or weekend road trip a little more enjoyable.

• 10-speaker system available on Touring and Elite trims
• Not exactly audiophile-level but gets the job done

Alex’s Opinion:

“I’ve had no issues with the sound system. It’s loud enough for me to drown out the kids arguing in the back and that’s really all I need.”

Safety and Driver Assistance Features: Peace of Mind

Safety is one of the Pilot’s strongest points. Every 2021 Honda Pilot comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems designed to help keep you and your passengers safe on the road.

Honda Sensing Includes:

• Adaptive Cruise Control: Maintains a set distance from the car ahead of you. Just don’t get too comfortable—it’s not autonomous driving.
• Collision Mitigation Braking System: Automatically applies the brakes if it detects an imminent collision.
• Lane Keeping Assist: Helps you stay in your lane. You know for those moments when your attention drifts.

Potential Drawback: Some drivers find the system to be a little too aggressive especially with lane-keeping assist which can feel like it’s tugging at the wheel. But better safe than sorry right?

Final Thoughts on the 2021 Honda Pilot Interior

The 2021 Honda Pilot is a well-rounded SUV with an interior that prioritizes space functionality and family-friendliness. While it might not have the ultra-luxury touches of higher-end competitors it makes up for that with practicality and durability—something any parent will appreciate. Sure there are a few quirks (like the third row’s limited space and the occasionally slow infotainment system) but these are minor issues compared to the overall package.

Alex sums it up nicely: “It’s not perfect but the Pilot does a great job at being what it needs to be—a family SUV that can handle pretty much anything. Plus I get to laugh a little when my friends try to squeeze into the third row.”

Pros:

• Spacious interior with flexible seating
• Lots of cargo space with the second and third rows folded
• Family-friendly tech and safety features
• Heated and ventilated seats (for front and second row at least)

Cons:

• Tight third-row seating for adults
• Infotainment system can be slow
• Cabin materials feel a bit plasticky