Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2025 Honda Pilot

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Pilot doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and Pilot have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pilot’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Explorer and the Pilot have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Honda Pilot:

	Explorer	Pilot
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	131	382
Neck Stress	275 lbs.	350 lbs.
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	101 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	196/188 lbs.	178/233 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	236	440
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Stress	156 lbs.	232 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	196/281 lbs.	396/388 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Explorer is safer than the Pilot:

	Explorer	Pilot
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	382/382 pounds	540/674 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Chest Rating
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Honda Pilot:

	Explorer	Pilot
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	224 lbs.	276 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	100
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	288	340

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Pilot is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Pilot doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Explorer has a standard 760-amp battery. The Pilot’s 650-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (300 vs. 285) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 115 more horsepower (400 vs. 285) and 153 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Explorer is faster than the Honda Pilot:

	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer turbo V6	Pilot
Zero to 30 MPH	2.2 sec	1.8 sec	2.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	5.2 sec	7.2 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.8 sec	13.3 sec	20.1 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.2 sec	5.9 sec	7.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4 sec	3.2 sec	4.1 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.7 sec	3.8 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	13.8 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	101 MPH	90 MPH
Top Speed	125 MPH	146 MPH	112 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the Pilot:

			MPG
Explorer
	RWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	18 city/25 hwy
		Tremor 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/23 hwy
Pilot
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/25 hwy
		TrailSport 3.5 DOHC V6	18 city/23 hwy

The Explorer 3.0L EcoBoost V6’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pilot (20.2 vs. 18.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer ST’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Pilot:

	Explorer ST	Pilot
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Explorer ST’s optional front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Pilot are solid, not vented.

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Pilot:

	Explorer	Pilot
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	189 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pilot (275/45R21 vs. 265/60R18).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pilot Sport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Pilot’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Pilot doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Pilot’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Explorer has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Pilot doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Pilot doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the Pilot (119.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Pilot’s (55.3% to 44.7%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the Pilot Elite pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Pilot TrailSport (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pilot (7.6 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Tremor’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Pilot TrailSport (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Explorer Active 4WD is quieter than the Pilot Elite:

	Explorer	Pilot
At idle	40 dB	40 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	78 dB
70 MPH Cruising	66 dB	68 dB

Passenger Space

The Explorer has .2 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Pilot.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Explorer easier. The Explorer’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.1 inches, while the Pilot’s liftover is 33.2 inches.

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly, without having to lift, carry or store heavy seats, like in the Pilot.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Explorer’s (except Active) optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Pilot doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pilot’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Pilot. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Pilot doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start and Smart Entry standard on the Pilot doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Push Button Start and Smart Entry is not available on the Pilot Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

The Explorer’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Pilot’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Explorer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Pilot doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Explorer Platinum also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Explorer’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

The Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Pilot.

Compared to traditional radio, the Ford Explorer’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Explorer and the Honda Pilot, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Explorer outsold the Honda Pilot by 40% during 2024.

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