2021 Honda Pilot towing capacity
Max tow rating
5,000lb
- Touring AWD, 3.5L 6cyl.
- Base trim: 3,500 lb.
- Top 34% of 127 SUVs (2021).
Trailer check
Yes. 4,000 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 4,000 lb
- Margin
- 1,000 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 94% of 4,255 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 13-18 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 4,000 lb
- Hitch class at max
- III, up to 8,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 5,000 lb: Touring AWD, $45,220.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touring AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,575 lb | 4,255 lb | $45,220 |
| LX 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 3,982 lb to 4,259 lb | $32,550 |
| EX 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,004 lb to 4,259 lb | $35,230 |
| EX-L 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,041 lb to 4,259 lb | $38,660 |
| SE FWD | N/A | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $39,260 |
| Special Edition 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,070 lb to 4,259 lb | $39,260 |
| Touring FWD | 3.5L 6cyl | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $43,220 |
| Touring 8-Passenger 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,127 lb to 4,259 lb | $43,220 |
| Touring 7-Passenger 2WD | 3.5L | 2WD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,107 lb to 4,259 lb | $43,520 |
| Touring FWD with Rear Captains Chairs | N/A | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | N/A | $43,520 |
| Touring 8-Passenger AWD | 3.5L | AWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,308 lb | $45,220 |
| Touring 7-Passenger AWD | 3.5L | AWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,286 lb | $45,520 |
| LX AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,478 lb | 4,158 lb to 4,259 lb | $34,550 |
| EX AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,496 lb | 4,176 lb | $37,230 |
| EX-L AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,548 lb | 4,228 lb | $40,660 |
| Special Edition AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,575 lb | 4,255 lb | $41,260 |
| Elite AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,639 lb | 4,319 lb | $48,720 |
| Black Edition AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb | 1,320 lb | 5,641 lb | 4,321 lb | $50,220 |
No rating listed: 2 trims.
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2016: 4,500 lb to 5,000 lb.
- Changed in 2018: 5,000 lb to 3,500 lb.
- Changed in 2019: 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Pilot (this car) | 5,000 lb | Touring AWD | $45,220 |
| Honda Passport | 5,000 lb | Sport AWD | $34,790 |
| Kia Telluride | 5,000 lb | LX FWD | $32,190 |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,000 lb | L FWD | $35,085 |
| Honda Odyssey | 3,500 lb | LX FWD | $31,790 |
| Honda CR-V | 1,500 lb | LX 2WD | $25,350 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree