2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Honda Pilot
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Ford Explorer bursts onto the scene with a potent 300 hp, offering true rear-wheel-drive dynamics for a sportier feel, standing slightly shorter at 198.8 inches. Contrast this with the 2025 Honda Pilot, which boasts a robust 285 hp and a more capacious 18.6 cu ft of cargo room compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft. While the Pilot is marginally taller at 71.0 inches, the Explorer surprises with a slight edge in fuel economy, achieving 24 MPG combined versus the Pilot's 22 MPG combined. Priced almost identically—$40,050 for the Explorer versus $40,200 for the Pilot—the choice boils down to whether you prioritize the Explorer's rear-drive performance punch or the Pilot's slightly greater utility and traditional front-drive stability. Both feature advanced 10-speed automatics, but the Explorer's 310 lb-ft of torque clearly separates its immediate power delivery.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 24 MPG.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is better for families because it offers slightly more room with a larger cargo capacity of 18.6 cubic feet.
2025 Ford Explorer
Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Ford Explorer for its stronger output of 300 horsepower and its rear-wheel-drive architecture.
2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer provides more power (300 hp vs 285 hp) for a marginally lower starting MSRP of $40,050.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You prioritize acceleration and a balanced chassis feel, thanks to its 300 hp and rear-wheel-drive platform.
- Fuel efficiency is important, as the Explorer delivers 24 MPG combined versus the Pilot's 22 MPG.
- You prefer a marginally smaller footprint at 198.8 inches in length for easier maneuvering in tight city spots.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You need the absolute maximum utility, leveraging the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prefer the stability and proven capability of a front-wheel-drive-based system for daily driving.
- You prefer a slightly taller stance and better vertical headroom, as the Pilot stands 71.0 inches high.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 199.9" |
| Width | 78.9" | 78.5" |
| Height | 69.9" | 71.0" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 113.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.3 L | 3.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 19/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 22 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 351.5/499.5 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 18.5 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 7 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Infotainment Display | — | 7.0 in |
| Stereo Power | — | 240W |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 61.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 58.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 40.8 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 61.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 57.4 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | 255/50R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 20 x 8.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Honda Pilot.
Which crossover offers better outright power for acceleration?
The 2025 Ford Explorer holds the advantage here, boasting 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque from its engine. This is noticeably more power than the 2025 Honda Pilot's 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
Is the Ford Explorer or the Honda Pilot more practical for hauling gear?
The Honda Pilot offers a very slight edge in pure cargo volume, providing 18.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, marginally beating the Explorer's 18.2 cubic feet. Both utilize a 10-speed automatic transmission for towing versatility.
How do the driving dynamics differ based on their drive types?
The Explorer utilizes a rear-wheel-drive setup, often leading to a more engaging, performance-oriented feel. Conversely, the Pilot uses a front-wheel-drive base, which typically offers more predictable handling in adverse weather conditions for the average driver.
What is the difference in fuel costs between the two models?
The Explorer maintains a slight advantage in efficiency, achieving a combined 24 MPG, while the Pilot is rated at 22 MPG combined. Both vehicles run on regular unleaded fuel.
Are the starting prices for the 2025 models significantly different?
No, the starting MSRPs are nearly identical; the Explorer is listed at $40,050, just $150 less than the Pilot's starting price of $40,200. This makes performance and efficiency the primary deciding factors.
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