2025 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Honda Ridgeline
Comparison Overview
Stuck between a traditional three-row crossover and a versatile unibody pickup? The 2025 Ford Explorer ($40,050 MSRP) leans into power with 300 hp and RWD dynamics, while the 2026 Honda Ridgeline ($40,595 MSRP) offers AWD and superior utility despite its Crossover classification. For highway cruising, the Explorer boasts a better combined fuel economy of 24 MPG versus the Ridgeline’s 21 MPG, even though both use regular unleaded fuel. However, the Ridgeline is significantly longer at 210.2 inches compared to the Explorer's 198.8 inches. While the Explorer offers a traditional SUV cargo area (18.2 cu ft behind the third row, presumably), the Ridgeline’s unique open bed gives it a lower, more accessible but smaller 7.3 cu ft volume, which is a major deciding factor for weekend warriors needing flexibility.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy rating of 24 MPG.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Explorer offers substantially more enclosed cargo capacity at 18.2 cu ft compared to the Ridgeline's 7.3 cu ft.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Explorer has a notable power advantage, delivering 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer offers significantly more horsepower (300 hp vs. 280 hp) for a slightly lower starting MSRP.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You prioritize raw engine performance, as the Explorer packs 300 horsepower.
- You need maximum enclosed cargo space, with the Explorer offering 18.2 cu ft.
- You prefer the efficiency of rear-wheel drive coupled with a better highway fuel economy of 29 MPG.
Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...
- All-wheel drive capability is a mandatory feature for tackling varied conditions.
- You need the versatility of an open bed for hauling oddly shaped items, despite the lower 7.3 cu ft volume.
- You prefer a slightly taller stance, as the Ridgeline sits higher at 70.8 inches in height.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 210.2" |
| Width | 78.9" | 78.6" |
| Height | 69.9" | 70.8" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 125.2" |
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 | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | 262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Single overhead cam (SOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| [object Object] | — | ✓ |
| [object Object] | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 18/24 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 21 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 351.0/468.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 19.5 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 | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
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 | — | 9.0 in |
| Stereo Power | — | 215W |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 40.1 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 40.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 62.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 59.1 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 8-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 38.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 36.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 61.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 56.6 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 | 18 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | 245/60R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
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 | — | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2026 Honda Ridgeline.
Which vehicle is generally more powerful for passing on the highway?
The 2025 Ford Explorer holds the clear advantage in power, producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 2026 Honda Ridgeline's 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.
How do their base prices compare?
The 2025 Ford Explorer has a slightly lower starting MSRP at $40,050, while the 2026 Honda Ridgeline begins at $40,595 for the entry trim.
Is the Ridgeline’s AWD worth the lower MPG rating?
The Ridgeline includes standard All-Wheel Drive, which many find essential for security, but it results in a lower combined fuel economy of 21 MPG compared to the Explorer’s 24 MPG combined rating.
What is the key difference in cargo hauling between these two?
The Explorer provides a large, fully enclosed space with 18.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the Ridgeline features an open bed with 7.3 cu ft, offering accessibility but less protection from the elements.
Which vehicle has a more traditional SUV dimension profile?
The Ford Explorer has a shorter overall length (198.8 inches) and is rear-wheel drive based, feeling more like a traditional crossover, while the longer Ridgeline (210.2 inches) utilizes its extra length for its truck bed.
Do both vehicles require premium fuel?
Fortunately, both the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Honda Ridgeline are designed to run efficiently on regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs consistent in that regard.
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