2011 Honda Pilot: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2011 Honda Pilot is essentially a carryover from 2010, with no major mechanical or styling changes. The one notable update is that the Touring trim's rear DVD entertainment system became standard.
About the 2011 Honda Pilot
2nd generation (2009-2015), third model year, just before the 2012 refresh.
Honda positioned the 2011 Pilot as a get-things-done three-row family SUV: roomy enough for up to eight people, flexible enough to carry bulky cargo, and sturdy enough to tow or handle bad weather with available 4WD. The appeal was practicality more than style. Honda's brochure leans hard on the fold-flat interior, big cargo area, trailer-hitch hardware, adult-friendly third row, and comfortable road-trip manners as the reasons to choose a Pilot over a minivan or softer crossover.
The LX is the utility-first version, with eight-passenger seating, folding rear rows, and built-in towing hardware. The EX is the everyday sweet spot, while the EX-L brings leather, heated front seats, a moonroof, and a rearview camera. Touring is the road-trip-focused model, with navigation, rear DVD entertainment, upgraded audio, a power tailgate, and parking sensors.
What changed, by category
2011 Honda Pilot specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, VTEC, 3.5 Liter | V6, VTEC, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 5-Spd w/Overdrive |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Horsepower | 250 hp | 250 hp | 250 hp | 250 hp |
| Torque | 253 lb-ft | 253 lb-ft | 253 lb-ft | 253 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 4500 lb | 4500 lb | 4500 lb | 4500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 87 cu-ft | 87 cu-ft | 87 cu-ft | 87 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 32.1 in | 32.1 in | 32.1 in | 32.1 in |
| Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | ||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Bluetooth | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| USB Ports | ||||
| 115V Power Outlet | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||
| Third Row Seat | ||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2011 Honda Pilot compared with the 2010 model?
Very little changed for 2011. The Touring trim's rear DVD entertainment system became standard, while the Pilot's design, engine, transmission, safety equipment, and trim lineup otherwise carried over.
Was the 2011 Honda Pilot redesigned?
No, the 2011 Honda Pilot was not redesigned. It remained part of the second generation introduced for 2009 and kept the same basic body, cabin layout, and mechanical hardware as the 2010 model.
Does every 2011 Honda Pilot have a rear DVD entertainment system?
No, the rear DVD entertainment system was standard only on the 2011 Pilot Touring. It was the Touring trim's main equipment change for the year.
What engine and transmission does the 2011 Honda Pilot use?
Every 2011 Honda Pilot uses a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission. The lineup included front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions.
Is the 2011 Honda Pilot worth choosing over the 2010 model?
The 2011 model mainly offers an advantage if you want a Touring with standard rear DVD entertainment. Otherwise, the two years are very similar, so condition, mileage, and service history matter more than model year.