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2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Honda Pilot

Too close to call: Ford Explorer 86.1 vs Honda Pilot 84.4 with these weights. The Honda Pilot is ahead on safety.

F

2025 Ford Explorer

The 2025 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …

vs
D

2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Pilot FWD, is EPA-rated at 22 mpg c…

Verdict · default weights

2025 Ford Explorer

Toss-up

Too close to call: Ford Explorer 86.1 vs Honda Pilot 84.4 with these weights. The Honda Pilot is ahead on safety.

Fuel & range2025 Ford Explorer leads by 8.6
Safety2025 Honda Pilot leads by 3.5
Category · weight2025 Honda Pilotoverall 84.42025 Ford Exploreroverall 86.1
Pricew 4no datano data
Fuel & rangew 391.4100
Safetyw 479.175.6
Space & cargow 2no datano data
Performancew 2no datano data
Tech & comfortw 3no datano data
Warrantyw 2no datano data
Overall84.486.1

Honda Pilot: model-level data · Ford Explorer: model-level data. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.

Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
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Specifications side by side

Trim-level specs appear here once the manufacturer's press kit is on file for both vehicles. EPA and NHTSA data are compared above.
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Safety record

NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP

Honda Pilot

Safety Signal61 D
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls4 · 1 critical
Owner complaints195 · 11 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutForward Collision Avoidance (74), Electrical System (43), Steering (39)

Top recalls

  • criticalFuel System, Gasoline24V900000 · 205,760 vehicles
  • highService Brakes, Hydraulic25V391000 · 259,033 vehicles
  • highSeat Belts25V056000 · 1,494 vehicles
  • highFuel System, Gasoline25V031000 · 294,612 vehicles

Ford Explorer

Safety Signal35 F
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls22 · 1 critical
Owner complaints97 · 7 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutElectrical System (21), Unspecified (17), Service Brakes (16)

Top recalls

  • criticalFuel System, Gasoline24V634000 · 24 vehicles
  • highSeats26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles
  • highEngine And Engine Cooling26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
  • highSeat Belts26V159000 · 561 vehicles
  • highEngine And Engine Cooling26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
  • highVisibility25V730000 · 56,841 vehicles

Ownership

EPA, manufacturer warranty
Honda PilotFord Explorer
Price
Price range across trims
PowertrainsGASGAS
EPA configuration comparedPilot FWDExplorer RWD
Combined mpg / MPGe2224
EPA annual fuel cost$2,850$2,600
EV range
Basic warranty
Powertrain warranty
Roadside assistance

Common questions

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Which is better, the 2025 Honda Pilot or the 2025 Ford Explorer?

Too close to call: Ford Explorer 86.1 vs Honda Pilot 84.4 with these weights. The Honda Pilot is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Ford Explorer scores 86.1 and the 2025 Honda Pilot 84.4. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.

Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Honda Pilot or the 2025 Ford Explorer?

2025 Honda Pilot: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 4 recalls. 2025 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 22 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.