What’s in a reputation? Automakers hope to invoke a sure picture with the monikers they assign to sure automobiles. If you happen to’re searching for a 3-row SUV, odds are you need it to perform a little greater than get from Level A to Level B. Excellent news: the aptly named Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer can deal with your every day college runs or journeys to the ironmongery store. However as their names counsel, they’re able to extra.
Let’s discover out extra about these midsize SUVs.
2025 Honda Pilot

2024 mannequin proven
The Honda Pilot conjures up confidence whereas traversing floor streets or exploring the wilds of the backwoods. In actual fact, for households who need to go off the crushed observe, Honda’s now obtained a trim package deal for that: the TrailSport version. It options metal skid plates, an additional inch of floor clearance, the TrailWatch Digital camera System to raised navigate rocks and timber across the automobile, and particular software program designed to assist it traverse more difficult terrain than its predecessor.
Whether or not you’re trying to get away from all of it for a number of days or just want a roomy, comfy place to be whereas getting round city, the Honda Pilot is prepared. It’s obtained all the essential security and leisure expertise and, maybe most significantly, 14 cupholders.
Honda shuffled the trim ranges for 2025, disposing of the entry-level LX mannequin. The Sport is now the bottom mannequin and whereas it’s higher geared up than the outdated LX, it’s additionally dearer. Pricing for the Honda Pilot begins at $41,595, together with vacation spot payment.
Honda Pilot Highlights
Easy accessibility: Improve to the Touring and Elite fashions, and you’ll get a detachable heart seat within the second row, making entry to the third row simpler. The seat can then match beneath the cargo area ground till the Honda Pilot must be an 8-seater once more.
Off-road prepared: The highest-of-the-line TrailSport, with its 285-horsepower V6 engine, can tow as much as 5,000 kilos. Honda claims that equates to a 24-foot camper or a 22-foot boat.
Visitors Jam Help: Underneath the suitable situations, the Honda Pilot can nearly drive itself by slower-moving freeway site visitors. Simply hold a hand on the steering wheel to let it know you’re paying consideration, and it’ll go, cease, and steer for miles at a time. It really works very properly, and it’s normal throughout the lineup.
Learn our Honda Pilot Professional Assessment or see 2025 Honda Pilot fashions on the market close to you.
2025 Ford Explorer


For a lot of, the Ford Explorer was their first expertise with a midsize SUV. For 2025, patrons can expertise an all-new Explorer because it will get main exterior and inside updates in addition to a streamlined trim portfolio: Lively, ST Line, Platinum, and ST. The brand new-look exterior is extra rugged and masculine with out being an excessive amount of of a change from its predecessor.
This SUV nonetheless seats as much as seven and provides loads of energy and towing functionality, and when geared up accurately, it’s a wonderful off-roader. You’ll be able to select from two engines: a 300-hp 4-cylinder or a 400-hp 6-cylinder. These are each extra highly effective than the usual V6 within the Honda Pilot.
Inside, the makeover goals to present it a premium really feel with softer surfaces to make it extra aggressive. It additionally will get loads of new expertise beginning with the Ford Digital Expertise permits drivers to make use of apps and companies from Google and Amazon by the Ford system or with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving expertise is now out there on the higher trims.. Costs begin at $41,350, together with vacation spot charges.
Ford Explorer Highlights
Simple to learn: The brand new Explorer includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. It’s customizable to satisfy the motive force’s wants and options Conscious mode, which skinnies down the knowledge show to forestall driver distraction. There’s additionally an non-compulsory 13.2-inch heart infotainment show.
Parking prowess: Ford was among the many first automakers to supply computerized parking expertise as an possibility in its automobiles. Lively Park Help works for parallel parking in addition to extra standard nose-first parking. It’ll additionally get you out of these parking areas.
Huge energy: The Explorer has lengthy been identified for its highly effective engines, and the present model retains it up. With a 300-hp EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, there are however a number of with extra ponies beneath the hood. Nevertheless, sure trim ranges provide a 400-hp twin turbo V6 for those who want extra energy to outrun rivals just like the Honda Pilot.
Learn our Ford Explorer Professional Assessment or see 2025 Ford Explorer fashions on the market close to you.
Similarities
Clear, highly effective, spacious, and succesful. The Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer cowl all of the bases in the case of midsize, 3-row SUVs. Additionally, their beginning costs are nearly an identical.
Conclusion
The Ford Explorer comes throughout like a brute with that out there 400-hp turbo V6 engine and physique design that appears able to deal with your worst. Nevertheless, regardless of its extra modest engine, the Honda Pilot seems to be good and might tow loads. It’s obtained 4 extra cupholders, which can be an element sooner or later. With a negligible value distinction, it’s a detailed race. Drive them each and make your determination from there.
New 2025 Honda Pilot Costs
New 2025 Ford Explorer Costs
The Kelley Blue E-book Honest Buy Worth for any particular person used automobile can range vastly in line with mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here replicate what patrons are at present paying for automobiles and automobiles in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s prompt retail value (MSRP) quoted consists of the vacation spot payment, however doesn’t embrace tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
2025 Honda Pilot | 2025 Ford Explorer | |
Standard Powertrains | ||
Engine | 3.5-liter 6-cylinder | 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
Transmission | 10-speed computerized | 10-speed computerized |
Gasoline Economic system | 19 metropolis/27 freeway/22 mixed mpg | 20 metropolis/29 freeway/24 mixed mpg |
Additionally Out there | AWD | Twin-turbo 6-cylinder/AWD |
Specs | ||
Primary Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
NHTSA General Security | 5 stars | Not rated |
Max Seating Capability | 8 | 7 |
Wheelbase | 113.8 inches | 119.1 inches |
General Size | 199.9 inches | 198.8 inches |
Width | 78.5 inches | 78.9 inches |
Peak | 71.0 inches | 69.9 inches |
Turning Diameter | 37.8 toes | 38.7 toes |
Headroom, Entrance | 40.5 inches | 40.7 inches |
Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.2 inches | 40.5 inches |
Headroom, third Row | 39.3 inches | 38.9 inches |
Legroom, Entrance | 41.0 inches | 43.0 inches |
Legroom, 2nd Row | 40.8 inches | 39.0 inches |
Legroom, third Row | 32.5 inches | 32.2 inches |
Shoulder Room, Entrance | 61.9 inches | 61.8 inches |
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.7 inches | 61.9 inches |
Shoulder Room, third Row | 59.5 inches | 54.6 inches |
Cargo Quantity | 18.6 cubic toes | 18.2 cubic toes |