The 2025 Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot are premier choices in the midsize three-row SUV category, blending comfort, spaciousness, and robust performance to meet diverse needs. Since 1990, the Ford Explorer has been a staple in the SUV market, with the 2025 model featuring a refreshed look with sharper edges and an upgraded cabin. The Honda Pilot, introduced in 2002, has consistently been a strong contender, with the 2025 model showcasing Honda’s commitment to innovation, reliability, and family-friendly design.
Both SUVs are ideal if you have a family or are going on regular adventures. Let’s see how the various categories of these vehicles compare.
Exterior Design and Styling
The 2025 Ford Explorer’s new design combines sportiness and elegance. This compact SUV is 198.8 inches long, 78.9 inches wide, and 69.8 inches tall and features a new front grille, sleek LED headlights, and eye-catching skid plates. This blend of sophistication and ruggedness gives the Explorer a distinctive presence on the road. The Explorer’s more compact dimensions provide an advantage in urban environments, offering easier maneuverability and parking.
The Honda Pilot commands attention with its modern design, measuring 200.2 inches in length, 78.5 inches in width, and up to 72 inches in height. Its bold, sleek profile is enhanced by the new TrailSport trim, which adds rugged styling accents that highlight the Pilot’s off-road potential. While its slightly larger size may appeal to you if you want a more commanding presence, the Explorer’s more compact dimensions provide an advantage in urban environments, offering easier maneuverability and parking than the slightly larger Honda Pilot.
Interior Comfort and Space
The 2025 Ford Explorer can accommodate up to seven passengers with an optional second-row captain’s chair configuration. Its thoughtfully designed cargo area offers impressive flexibility, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, which expands to a generous 85.3 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. For 2025, Ford has elevated the Explorer’s interior quality, introducing premium materials and soft-touch surfaces that create a more upscale atmosphere, setting a new standard in its class.
The Honda Pilot offers substantial interior space, with 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 60.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and 113.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. While the Honda Pilot offers slightly more cargo capacity, the Explorer’s efficient design makes the most of its dimensions, providing a balance of space and comfort that is hard to match. Its impressive interior flexibility and upgraded premium materials give it an edge over the Honda Pilot in delivering a well-rounded, high-quality cabin experience.
Technology and Infotainment
The Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot offer impressive technology suites catering to modern needs. The Pilot’s expansive 9-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration provides an immersive digital experience, while the Explorer’s 13.2-inch touch screen powered by Ford Digital Experience features Google and Amazon access. Each SUV provides easy wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, but the Explorer’s standard inclusion makes it ideal if you’re looking for advanced technology features.
Except for the base Active model, all the Explorer trims come standard with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, while the Pilot has a seven-speaker system. To elevate your sound experience, you’d have to upgrade to the Touring or Elite models, which come with a premium 12-speaker setup from Bose. Both vehicles offer excellent connectivity and power options, including wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspots, and strategically located USB ports throughout the cabin.
The Ford Explorer offers generous technology features, making it stand out from the Honda Pilot, which requires upgrades for some top tech options.
Performance and Efficiency
The 2025 Ford Explorer offers a diverse range of powertrains to suit various driving preferences. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which delivers 300 horsepower. This combination achieves an impressive 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with rear-wheel drive. If you want more performance, the Explorer ST trim boasts a potent 400-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, generating a substantial 415 lb-ft of torque. Ford’s available intelligent all-wheel-drive system further enhances the Explorer’s capabilities, providing confident handling in various driving conditions.
The Honda Pilot simplifies choice with its single 3.5-liter V-6 engine coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. With standard front-wheel drive, it achieves an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, which is slightly lower than the Explorer’s base engine. The Pilot’s advanced all-wheel-drive system in the TrailSport trim greatly improves its off-road capabilities and overall performance. Both SUVs boast a 5,000-pound towing capacity, making them equally adept at handling family adventures.
Whether you prefer the Explorer’s versatility or the Pilot’s reliability, you won’t be disappointed with either choice.
Safety Features
Both SUVs have essential safety features such as automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. These standard safety features demonstrate both manufacturers’ commitment to protecting occupants and enhancing overall driving confidence.
The Explorer boasts Ford’s hands-free highway driving BlueCruise 1.2 technology as a subscription service, a feature that Honda still needs to match in the Pilot. Honda’s optional CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems allow you to monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers, offering added safety and convenience.
While there may be minor differences in their safety packages, both the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot offer advanced safety features, making them reliable choices if you have a family and are looking for peace of mind on the road.
Which SUV Is Right for You?
The 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Honda Pilot are excellent family SUVs, each with unique strengths. The Explorer offers diverse powertrains, including a hybrid option, easier urban maneuverability, and advanced infotainment. While the Pilot boasts superior interior space and Honda’s renowned reliability, the Explorer’s blend of efficiency, technology, and versatility gives it a slight edge as our recommended choice.
Visit Us To Shop the 2025 Ford Explorer Today
The only way to experience the 2025 Ford Explorer’s impressive features and capabilities is to take it for a test drive. Our extensive inventory of new and pre-owned Ford SUVs includes the latest Explorer models in various trims and configurations so you can find your perfect match. Contact us today to schedule your test drive or learn more about us and our commitment to providing exceptional customer service.
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