Makes · Honda · Honda Pilot
2021 Honda Pilot towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 3,000 lbs across packages. Exact capacity depends on configuration. Payload is separate from towing capacity and is shown where GVWR and curb weight (or manufacturer payload) exist.
Tow Planner
Select your exact configuration and tell us what you're towing. We'll compare trailer weight, payload, tongue weight and the available vehicle limits. Year-level towing and payload answers below are available without selecting a configuration.
Which configuration do you have?
14 configurations
14 possible configurations match your selections.
What are you trying to do?
Choose a job to open interactive tools. Year-level towing and payload answers appear below even before you pick a configuration.
What can a 2021 Honda Pilot tow?
In our dataset, 14 configurations list a maximum trailer rating of 3,000 lbs. Confirm the figure for your exact build.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 3,000 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 3,000 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 14 of 14
Highest-rated example: Black — 3,000 lbs
Lowest-rated example: Touring — 3,000 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2021 Honda Pilot. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,521 lbs |
| Elite | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,523 lbs |
| EX | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,666 lbs |
| EX | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,541 lbs |
| EX-L | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,614 lbs |
| EX-L | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,504 lbs |
| LX | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,684 lbs |
| LX | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,563 lbs |
| Special | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,587 lbs |
| Special | — | — | — | 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 1,475 lbs |
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 4.33 | 3,000 lbs | 14 |
2021 Honda Pilot payload capacity
Payload is not the same as towing capacity. Where both GVWR and curb weight exist in the catalog, payload is GVWR minus curb weight (or the manufacturer payload field when present). Payload covers people, cargo in the truck, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight — not the full trailer weight.
- Observed payload range: 1,418 – 1,684 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 14
Highest-payload configurations
- LX — 1,684 lbs
- EX — 1,666 lbs
- EX-L — 1,614 lbs
- Special — 1,587 lbs
- LX — 1,563 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2021 Honda Pilot dataset. Values are min–max of published ratings in each group — not a claim that every unit in the group can tow the top figure.
Not enough grouped configuration differences to compare in this dataset.
Compare this vehicle
Preselected: 2021 Honda Pilot. Pick a second vehicle on the compare page.
Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Edition 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,321 lbs | 1,521 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| Elite 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,319 lbs | 1,523 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| EX 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,176 lbs | 1,666 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| EX 4dr Front-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,004 lbs | 1,541 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| EX-L 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,228 lbs | 1,614 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| EX-L 4dr Front-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,041 lbs | 1,504 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| LX 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,158 lbs | 1,684 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| LX 4dr Front-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 3,982 lbs | 1,563 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| Special Edition 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,255 lbs | 1,587 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| Special Edition 4dr Front-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,070 lbs | 1,475 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| Touring 7 Passenger 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,286 lbs | 1,556 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| Touring 7 Passenger 4dr Front-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,107 lbs | 1,438 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| Touring 8 Passenger 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,308 lbs | 1,534 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
| Touring 8 Passenger 4dr Front-wheel Drive | 3,000 lbs | 4,127 lbs | 1,418 lbs | 280 | 262 | 4.33 | 111.0 |
* Payload = manufacturer payload when present, otherwise GVWR − curb weight. Towing capacity is a separate rating and is not the same as payload.
What affects the rating
Higher figures usually need the tow package, the right axle ratio, and enough cooling. Passengers, fuel, gear, and tongue weight all eat into what you can safely pull — stay under both the trailer rating and the vehicle’s payload.