Head-to-head
2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot wins clearly, 96.2 to 74.1, on tech & comfort, safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.
F
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 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
A2026 Honda Pilot
The 2026 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
2026 Honda Pilot
Clear winThe Honda Pilot wins clearly, 96.2 to 74.1, on tech & comfort, safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.
Tech & comfort2026 Honda Pilot leads by 44.1
Safety2026 Honda Pilot leads by 28.7
Fuel & range2026 Ford Explorer leads by 8.6
| Category · weight | 2026 Honda Pilotoverall 96.2 | 2026 Ford Exploreroverall 74.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | no data | no data |
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 91.4 | 100 |
| Safetyw 4 | 97 | 68.3 |
| Space & cargow 2 | no data | no data |
| Performancew 2 | no data | no data |
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 55.9 |
| Warrantyw 2 | no data | no data |
| Overall | 96.2 | 74.1 |
Honda Pilot: base trim Sport FWD · Ford Explorer: base trim Active Base RWD. 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
51 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $42,395 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 3,471 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | V6 | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 285 hp | — |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 19 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 27 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 4.167 | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 10 | 10 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | automatic hybrid |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 7.3 in | — |
| Overall height | 71 in | — |
| Overall length | 200 in | — |
| Overall width | 78.5 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 114 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 87 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 48.5 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 18.6 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 158 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.5 in | — |
| Second-row headroom | 40.2 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 39.3 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41 in | — |
| Second-row legroom | 40.8 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 32.5 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,336 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,336 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson Strut | Independent |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-Link | Independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion | Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 18.9 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | electronic | Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 20 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | Aluminum |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 255/50R20 | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.5 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | HondaLink | Ford Connectivity Package |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 84 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 12 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 61.9 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 61.7 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 59.5 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
186 features · differences first, then sharedSafety39 differ · 55 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Braking | — | std |
| Evasive Steering Assist | — | std |
| Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines | std | — |
| Driver Attention Monitor | std | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| 3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions | std | — |
| Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure | std | — |
| Brake Assist | std | — |
| Child-Proof Rear Door Locks | std | — |
| Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) | std | — |
| Cross Traffic Monitor | std | — |
| Curve Control | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake | std | — |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (base ADAS suite) | — | std |
| Front & Mid Row Outer 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System | std | — |
| Hill Descent Control | std | — |
| Intersection Assist | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on Second and Third Row Outboard Seating Positions | — | std |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row Passenger-Side), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All, 3rd-Row All) | std | — |
| Perimeter Alarm | — | std |
| Personal Safety System™ (driver and front passenger – dual-stage front airbags, belt pretensioners, energy-management retractors, belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, restraint control module, Front-Passenger Sensing System) | — | std |
| Post-Collision Braking | — | std |
| Post-Collision Braking System | std | — |
| Rear Seat Reminder | std | — |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | — | std |
| Rearview Camera Washer | std | — |
| Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) | std | — |
| Seat Belt Reminder for all Seating Positions | std | — |
| Security System | std | — |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | — | std |
| Speed Sign Recognition | — | std |
| Traffic Jam Assist | std | — |
| Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR) | std | — |
| Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control | std | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering | std | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Forward Collision Warning | std | std |
| Airbags – All Rows: Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | std | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front | std | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Front-seat Side | std | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Alert / Driver Alert | std | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Assist | std | std |
| AdvanceTrac™ with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) | std | std |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver Knee | std | std |
| Auto High-Beam Headlamps | std | std |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Exit Warning and Trailer Coverage | std | std |
| Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electric Brake Boost and ESC | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | std | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | std | std |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) | std | std |
Infotainment26 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle | — | std |
| 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Smartphone / Audio Interface - Front Console (1 Port) + 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Charging Port - Front Console (1 Port) + 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Charging Port - 2nd Row (2 Ports) + 3.0-Amp USB Type-C Charging Port - 3rd Row (2 Ports) | std | — |
| Ford App – Locate parked vehicle | — | std |
| 10.2-Inch Digital Instrument Cluster | std | — |
| 12.3-Inch Color Touchscreen | std | — |
| 245-Watt Audio System with 9 Speakers, including Subwoofer | std | — |
| 5G Modem | — | std |
| 911 Assist® | — | std |
| Audio – AM/FM Stereo, MP3 Capable, Six (6) Speakers, Speed-Compensated Volume, SiriusXM® with 360L | — | std |
| CabinTalk® In-Car PA System | std | — |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-year Included) | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (One-time purchase – 7 years) (91D) | — | opt |
| Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility | — | std |
| Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability | — | std |
| Google built-in (includes 3-Years Unlimited Data Plan for In-Vehicle Apps) | std | — |
| HD Radio™ | std | — |
| HondaLink® | std | — |
| HondaLink® Subscription Services | std | — |
| Radio Data System (RDS) | std | — |
| SelectShift® Capability with Paddle Shifters | std | — |
| SiriusXM with 360L (3-year plan) (94B) | — | opt |
| Speed-Sensitive Volume Compensation (SVC) | std | — |
| Steering Wheel with Mounted Features – Audio Controls | — | std |
| USB Ports, First Row and Second Row (Ford Digital Experience standard); Third Row USB included on 200A+ | — | std |
| Wireless Android Auto™ Compatibility | std | — |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® Compatibility | std | — |
| Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot (via Ford Connectivity Package) | std | std |
Convenience11 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Key Fob Activated Remote Engine Start | std | — |
| 12-Volt Power Outlet (Front) | std | — |
| Capless Fuel Filler | std | — |
| One-Touch Turn Indicators | std | — |
| Power Door and Tailgate Locks | std | — |
| Power Lift Tailgate | std | — |
| Power Windows with Auto-Up / Down All 4 Windows | std | — |
| Programmable Remote Entry | std | — |
| Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock® (Front Door and Tailgate) | std | — |
| Manual Liftgate | — | std |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | — | std |
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Rear-Seat Heater Ducts | std | — |
| Tri-Zone Electronic Temperature Control | std | std |
Seating14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including 2-Way Power Lumbar Support | std | — |
| First Row Heated Seats | std | — |
| 40 / 20 / 40 Split, Flat-Folding 2nd-Row Seats | std | — |
| 60/40 Split, Flat-Folding 3rd-Row Bench Seat | std | — |
| Adjustable Seat-Belt Anchors (Front Row) | std | — |
| Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, including 2-Way Power Lumbar Support | std | — |
| Front Passenger's Seat with 4-Way Power Adjustment | std | — |
| Head Restraints at all Seating Positions | std | — |
| On-Demand In-Trunk Seat Storage | std | — |
| One-Touch Flat-Folding 2nd-Row Seats | std | — |
| Seating Capacity: 8 / 8 / 7 / 8 / 8 / 8 | std | — |
| Seats – Second Row 35/30/35 Bench with E-Z Entry and Armrests (17U) | — | opt |
| Second Row Captain's Chairs with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Unique Cloth Seating | — | std |
Interior22 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage Holders (Front Row-4 / 2nd-Row-6 / 3rd-Row-4) | std | — |
| Compass | — | std |
| Driver's and Front Passenger's Seatback Pockets | std | — |
| Floor Mats | std | — |
| Garment Hooks (2nd row, 2 total) | std | — |
| Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Controls | std | — |
| Instrument Panel Cluster – 12.3" Color LCD Productivity Screen | — | std |
| Interior Ambient LED Lighting | std | — |
| Lockable Glove Compartment | std | — |
| Multi-Functional Center Console Storage | std | — |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | — | std |
| Sliding Sunvisors | std | — |
| Steering Wheel – Vinyl Wrapped / Leather-Wrapped | std | — |
| Sunglasses Holder | std | — |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column | std | — |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | — | std |
| Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger) | — | std |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | — | std |
| Cargo Area Light (LED) | std | — |
| Floor Mats – Black Carpet, Front and Second Rows | — | std |
| Overhead Console with Sunglasses Storage | — | std |
| Trip Computer | — | std |
Exterior23 differ · 25 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED Headlights with Auto-On / Off | std | — |
| 18" Spare Wheel and Jack Kit (76U) | — | opt |
| Acoustic Laminate Windshield | std | — |
| Active Grille Shutters | — | std |
| Active Shutter Grille | std | — |
| Compact Spare Tire | std | — |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | — | std |
| Dual Gloss Black Exhaust Finishers | std | — |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Fin-Type Roof-Mounted Antenna | std | — |
| Gloss Black Roof Rails | std | — |
| Intermittent Rear Window Wiper/Washer | std | — |
| LED Brake and Taillights | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | — |
| LED Fog Lights | std | — |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay / Wiper-Activated | — | std |
| LED Taillamps | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Heated Glass | — | std |
| Power Side Mirrors | std | — |
| Push-to-Release Fuel Filler Door | std | — |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers | std | — |
| Rear Spoiler – Body-Color | — | std |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row, Third Row and Liftgate | std | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | std | std |
Powertrain19 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-Gen Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM 4 ™) AWD System | opt | — |
| Front-Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Integrated Drive Modes | std | — |
| 10-Speed Automatic Transmission (10AT) with Shift-By-Wire (SBW) and Paddle Shifters | std | — |
| Active Control Engine Mount System (ACM) | std | — |
| Active Noise Cancellation™ (ANC) | std | — |
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| CARB Emissions Rating: LEV4-SULEV30 | std | — |
| Displacement (cc): 3,471 | std | — |
| Eco Assist™ System | std | — |
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | — | std |
| Engine – 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop | — | std |
| Engine Type: V6 | std | — |
| Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm): 285 @ 6,100 | std | — |
| Idle-Stop | std | — |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | — | std |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 262 @ 5,000 | std | — |
| Transmission – 10-Speed Automatic | — | std |
| Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) | std | — |
| Selectable Drive Modes | std | std |
Chassis5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS) | std | — |
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | — | std |
| MacPherson Strut Front Suspension | std | — |
| Multi-Link Rear Suspension | std | — |
| Unit-Body Construction | std | — |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | — | std |
| Cargo Area Bag Hooks | std | — |
| Cargo Area Tie-Down Anchors (4 Total) | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPHonda Pilot
Safety Signal92 A
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls1
Owner complaints18 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutSteering (8), Unspecified (6), Seat Belts (4)
Top recalls
- highStructure26V424000 · 3,933 vehicles
Ford Explorer
Safety Signal35 F
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls14 · 2 critical
Owner complaints33 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutElectrical System (9), Unspecified (9), Engine (6)
Top recalls
- criticalEngine And Engine Cooling26V532000 · 6 vehicles
- criticalEngine25V828000 · 6 vehicles
- highEngine And Engine Cooling26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles
- highSeats26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles
- highEngine And Engine Cooling26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
- highVisibility26V202000 · 55 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Honda PilotSport FWD | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $42,395 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $42,395 – $55,195 8 trims | — 12 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Pilot FWD | Explorer RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 22 | 24 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,850 | $2,600 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Honda Pilot or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
The Honda Pilot wins clearly, 96.2 to 74.1, on tech & comfort, safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Honda Pilot scores 96.2 and the 2026 Ford Explorer 74.1. 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 2026 Honda Pilot or the 2026 Ford Explorer?
2026 Honda Pilot: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2026 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 14 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the differences between the 2026 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Ford Explorer?
This page puts 51 specifications and 186 equipment items side by side, with the better value marked on every row where the direction is unambiguous and the differences listed before the things both cars share.