2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Ford Explorer
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical disparity between the 2026 Ford Explorer and the 2025 Honda Pilot lies in torque figures, where the Explorer delivers 310 lb-ft compared to the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. This performance edge extends to horsepower, with the Explorer generating 300 hp against the Pilot's 285 hp. Fuel economy slightly favors the Explorer, achieving 24 combined MPG versus the Pilot's 22 combined MPG, reflected in its superior 20/29 MPG city/highway ratings against the Pilot's 19/27 MPG. Price is another key metric: the Explorer has a lower MSRP at $38,330 compared to the Pilot’s $40,200. However, the Pilot offers more utility, boasting 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space, substantially more than the Explorer’s 16.3 cu ft. The base drivetrain layouts also differ, with the Pilot utilizing Front Wheel Drive while the Explorer defaults to Rear Wheel Drive, influencing overall traction characteristics.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer offers superior fuel efficiency at 24 combined MPG and a lower starting price of $38,330.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot provides greater outright cargo capacity at 18.6 cubic feet compared to the Explorer's 16.3 cubic feet.
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer provides a distinct performance advantage with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer secures the value win by offering higher power metrics for a $1,870 lower entry MSRP.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- Maximum cargo hauling is essential, as the Pilot offers 18.6 cu ft versus the Explorer's 16.3 cu ft.
- A standard Front Wheel Drive (FWD) setup is preferred for predictable handling dynamics.
- A slightly taller stance is desired, as the Pilot measures 71.0 inches high versus the Explorer's 69.9 inches.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- Prioritizing output is key, given the Explorer’s 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
- Achieving 24 combined MPG is crucial, beating the Pilot's 22 combined MPG rating.
- The lower entry MSRP of $38,330 is a significant budget factor.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 198.8" |
| Width | 78.5" | 78.9" |
| Height | 71.0" | 69.9" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 119.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| 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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 358.0/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | — |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 61.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | 59.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 61.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 59.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | P255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Ford Explorer.
Which crossover provides better acceleration based on these specifications?
The 2026 Ford Explorer is expected to accelerate quicker due to its significantly higher torque output of 310 lb-ft, compared to the 2025 Honda Pilot’s 262 lb-ft. Higher torque generally translates to better initial responsiveness off the line.
What is the specific difference in base drivetrain layout between these two models?
The base configuration for the 2025 Honda Pilot is Front Wheel Drive (FWD), whereas the 2026 Ford Explorer defaults to a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) setup. This impacts handling characteristics, especially in slick conditions or under heavy load.
How does the fuel economy compare directly, according to published numbers?
The 2026 Ford Explorer is rated at 24 combined MPG (20 city/29 highway), slightly surpassing the 2025 Honda Pilot’s 22 combined MPG (19 city/27 highway). Both vehicles utilize regular unleaded fuel.
Is the Pilot or the Explorer physically larger based on their exterior dimensions?
The 2025 Honda Pilot is marginally longer at 199.9 inches compared to the Explorer's 198.8 inches, but the Explorer is slightly wider at 78.9 inches against the Pilot's 78.5 inches.
Considering the MSRP, how much more power does the Explorer offer for its lower price?
The 2026 Ford Explorer has an MSRP of $38,330 and produces 300 hp, while the 2025 Honda Pilot is $1,870 more expensive at $40,200 for 285 hp. This represents better power-per-dollar at the base trim level.
Which vehicle is the better choice if maximum interior storage space is the top priority?
The 2025 Honda Pilot is superior for cargo volume, offering 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row. The 2026 Ford Explorer provides notably less space in this configuration, at 16.3 cubic feet.
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