Crossovers have revolutionized the world of family hauling with their sleek looks, sedan-like handling, and roomy cabins. Few have done more for this segment than the Honda Pilot and the Ford Explorer. Recently, the Explorer went through a redesign that brought in a more SUV-like look.
Can the Explorer and its shift back toward the SUV side of the crossover spectrum stand up against the smooth-riding Pilot? Find out below.
See a side-by-side comparison of the Pilot & Explorer »
What the Pilot Gets Right
The Honda Pilot features a more traditional crossover design, making it a great option for families who want a sedan-like look, feel, and drive. Plus, with a starting price of $32,645 including destination, buyers get this look and feel for over $5,000 less than the base Explorer.
Though the Pilot lacks in power relative to the Explorer, its 3.5-liter V6 engine offers smooth power delivery without the sudden jolt from a turbocharger.
As a family vehicle, safety is critical, and the Pilot wins in this department with its IIHS Top Safety Pick status. It earned a “Good” rating in all the key crash tests, a “Good” rating from its standard headlights, and a “Superior” rating from its standard automatic emergency braking.
The Explorer lost out on the Top Safety Pick status with its “Acceptable” small-overlap driver’s side crash test and its “Acceptable” headlight rating.
What the Explorer Gets Right
The redesigned Ford Explorer takes on a more SUV-like design, which caters to buyers who’ve grown tired of the swoopy crossovers dominating the roads. This rugged look also translates into a more rugged personality with its rear-wheel-drive setup and additional off-road abilities relative to the Honda.
Under its hood, the Explorer is a dominant force with a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
Buyers can also get a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers 365 hp in the Platinum trim and 400 hp in the ST trim. The ST also boasts a firmer suspension for enhanced cornering. The Explorer Limited Hybrid is no slouch either with 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque.
Towing is also superior in the Explorer at up to 5,000 pounds with the hybrid powertrain, 5,300 pounds with the four-cylinder, and 5,600 pounds with the V6. The Pilot tops out at 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive and 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive.
Inside, Explorer buyers enjoy more legroom and additional standard technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Pilot’s standard equipment leaves buyers with a 5-inch infotainment screen and no smartphone integration.
Save Big with the Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is cheaper than the Ford Explorer, and you can argue that it's a better value. You can even move to the Pilot EX trim and still save $2,245 over the base Explorer.
Our Verdict: Ford Explorer
The all-new Ford Explorer is a revolution in the crossover world that gives buyers a great-riding people hauler that can also tow and head off the beaten path more regularly.
Also, buyers seeking a performance crossover no longer have to move into the luxury segment. The Explorer ST offers a 5.5-second 0-60 mph time and sharp handling.
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