The Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer are both popular three-row SUV options for those searching for a pre-owned vehicle.
Are either of these two contenders the right fit that meets your family's transport needs when it comes to features, performance, and space?
Read on as our article takes a look at how these crossover SUVs stack up against each other.
Honda Pilot
Honda’s mid-size SUV is currently in its fourth iteration and saw an update in late 2022.
The Japanese Honda brand’s lineup of vehicles, generally speaking, makes a very strong case for itself as solid pre-owned crossover SUV buys.
Shoppers looking for a low-mileage two-year-old or so old Honda can find what they want in the model’s six distinct trim levels, LX, Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and the range-topping Elite.
Ford Explorer
A nameplate well-known in the US vehicle market, the current sixth-generation mid-size Ford Explorer crossover SUV continues to offer a value-for-money package with a strong domestic heritage.
The latest batch of Explorers was the recipient of some refreshes back in 2023, and buyers considering a pre-owned example of this blue oval product can expect to find what they need from the Explorer’s eight trim levels.
Performance Comparison
The Honda Pilot is powered by a well-proven but revised 3.5-liter V6 engine that features direct injection and a start-stop system depending on trim level.
Making 280 horsepower and torque of 262 pound-feet, the V6 is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission as standard, while the two top trims get a ZF 9-speed automatic transmission as standard fitment.
Buyers looking for some degree of off-road capabilities should consider Honda Pilot trims that are fitted with the optional all-wheel drive that varies the torque sent to each back wheel when necessary to aid traction.
The Honda with FWD can tow up to 3,500 pounds, and AWD examples are rated at 5,000 pounds.
The recent version of the Ford Explorer is fitted with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 300-hp turbocharged Base, XLT, and Limited trims. Shoppers looking for more oomph should consider Explorers powered by the 400-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with Auto Start-Stop technology found in the King Ranch, Platinum, or ST trims.
The Ford Explorer sends its drive to the rear wheels as standard via a 10-speed automatic transmission, with an all-wheel drive system optional.
Ford Explorer models fitted with the 2.3-liter powertrain can tow up to 5,300 pounds, while the beefier V6 will tow up to a maximum of 5,600 pounds.
Exterior Comparison
The latest generation Honda Pilot, introduced in 2023, features a powerful, rugged exterior that suits its role as a versatile adventure-ready family crossover SUV.
This new generation has been improved from the front grille to the tailgate with new, boxier, and more truck-like styling. Standout exterior equipment includes the likes of available Automatic LED headlights and LED fog lights, a programmable power tailgate, and alloy wheels in sizes 18 inches to 21 inches.
The Honda is available in eight exterior colors.
The Ford Explorer has a rugged and strong exterior look, aided by its bold body lines.
Key exterior highlights include Ford's instantly recognisable hexagonal front grille, along with standard automatic LED high and low-beam headlamps and LED taillights.
Plenty of convenience items include a power liftgate, and privacy glass is fitted on all rear glass as well as the power liftgate.
A generous count of luxury features includes the dual-panel moonroof standard on all trims except the Base trim.
Upper trim levels are kitted out with plenty of useful features like cargo boxes and bike holders.
The Ford Explorer lineup is fitted with alloy wheels of sizes 18-inch up to 21 inches, and late model year pre-owned examples can be found in a lineup of eight exterior paint colors.
Dimensions Comparison
The Honda is 199.9 inches long, 78.5 inches wide without measuring mirrors, and 70.9 inches tall, and rides on a 113.8-inch wheelbase. The ground clearance is 7.3 inches, with the Trailsport truck offering up to 8.3 inches.
The Ford Explorer’s exterior measures 198.8 inches long, 78.9 inches wide without mirrors, and its height ranges from 69.9 to 70.7 inches.
The Ford's wheelbase is 119.1 inches, and ground clearance of up to 7.9 inches is on offer on most trims. Those seeking more off-road capability and clearance can opt for the Timberline trim, which features an impressive 8.66 inches of ground clearance.
Interior Design
The three-row seater Honda offers accommodation for up to eight passengers in a cabin featuring durable, high-quality materials as standard, along with a smattering of soft-touch surfaces throughout.
An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen plus a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster are standard in the Pilot. The easy-to-use infotainment interface is fitted with a 10-speaker audio system and features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Upper TrailSport, Touring, and Elite models receive a larger 9.0-inch infotainment display along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and top Touring and Elite models come with a 12-speaker setup from Bose.
The Ford Explorer offers a comfy interior with seating up to eight passengers in its three rows of seating. Easier access to the last row of seating is easier courtesy of its innovative design that features a mechanism to move the second-row seat out of the way with a push of a button.
Key highlights include automatic climate control, large door map pockets, and power windows.
Ford's 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system comes with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Cargo Space
The Honda's cargo space measures 18.6 cubic feet behind the fold-down third row seats, which expand to 48.5 cubic feet behind the second row seats. With all rear seats down, a total of 87 cubic feet of space is available.
The Ford offers 18 cubic feet of trunk space, which expands to 47.9 cubic feet once the third-row seat is folded down, and 87.8 cubic feet of cargo volume is available when all rear seats are folded down.
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With an extensive selection of pre-owned trucks, SUVs, passenger vehicles, and more, we are confident that we can meet all of your automotive needs.