2025 Honda Pilot vs. Ford Explorer Exterior Design

When you walk up to the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Ford Explorer, note the unique grille patterns, subtle silhouette differences, and aesthetically pleasing shine. The Honda Pilot features 18- or 20-inch wheels in eye-catching styles, while the Ford Explorer offers 18- to 21-inch wheels in sleek finishes. Entering your cargo hold is a breeze with either SUV — both offer power liftgates so you can quickly load your gear. And when you’re driving either, you’ll notice vivid LED exterior lights are standard.

Available Honda Pilot exterior features include:

• 18- or 20-in. wheels
• LED headlights with auto-on/off
• LED taillights and fog lights
• Rear privacy glass
• Body-colored roofline spoiler with integrated brake light
• Heated, power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, memory, and reverse gear tilt-down
• Dual chrome exhaust finishers
• Gloss black roof rails
• Programmable power tailgate with hands-free access and walk away close
• Acoustic laminated glass
• Heated wiper zone

2025 Honda Pilot vs. Ford Explorer Interior Design & Technology

Creature comforts and accessible technologies abound in the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Ford Explorer. For optimal seasonal relaxation, both offer heated front and second-row seats and ventilated front seats. Plus, you’ll appreciate the available ten-way power-adjustable driver’s seat in the Pilot and the available Active Motion® multicontour front seats in the Explorer. Experience an elevated soundscape inside either SUV with the Bose® speakers available in the Pilot or the B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® in the Explorer. When your compatible smartphone is running low on battery life, turn to the wireless charging pad available in either SUV.

Available Honda Pilot interior features include:

• Ten-way power driver’s seat with two-way lumbar and memory settings
• Four-way power front passenger’s seat
• Heated front and second-row outboard seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Cloth, leather, durable synthetic leather, or perforated leather seat upholstery
• Integrated second-row sunshades
• Conversation mirror
• Automatic-dimming rearview mirror
• Tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control and air filtration
• LED interior lighting
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• HomeLink® remote system

Available Honda Pilot technology features include:

• 12-speaker Bose premium sound system
• 9-in. color infotainment touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
• Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and streaming audio
• HondaLink®*
• HD Radio™
• Wi-Fi® hotspot capability
• 15W wireless phone charger (Qi-compatible)
• CabinTalk® in-car PA system
• Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic
• 7- or 10.2-in. driver information interface screen
• Four USB-C charging ports
• 12V Power outlets in the front console and cargo area
• 110V power outlet

2025 Honda Pilot vs. Ford Explorer Engine Specs & Fuel Economy

The 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Ford Explorer both offer dynamic performance capabilities. The Honda Pilot is standard with one energetic V6 engine, while the Ford Explorer offers either an inline four-cylinder (I4) or a V6. No matter which engine or SUV you choose, both come with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Plus, both can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Engine specs for both SUVs are shown in the accompanying table.

*19 city/27 highway/22 combined MPG rating for 2WD trims. 19 city/25 highway/21 combined MPG rating for non-TrailSport AWD trims. 18 city/23 highway/20 combined MPG rating for TrailSport. Based on 2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.

2025 Honda Pilot vs. Ford Explorer Size & Cargo Space

The 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Ford Explorer both boast generously roomy cabins. The Pilot can seat up to eight passengers when bench seats are equipped in the second and third row, while the Explorer seats a maximum of seven passengers. If you’d like to give your second-row passengers some extra elbow room, captain’s chairs are available for both SUVs. As for the third row, the Honda Pilot offers 60/40 split-folding versatility, while the Explorer comes with a 50/50 split-fold third row, although a PowerFold® third is also available in the Explorer. 

Interior dimensions for both SUVs are shown in the accompanying table.

2025 Honda Pilot vs. Ford Explorer Safety Options & Features

Work to protect your family with help from the numerous driver assistance and safety features available with the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Ford Explorer. Both have their own unique driver assistance suites — called Honda Sensing® on the Honda Pilot and Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ and Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 on the Explorer. These suites offer features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and parking sensors. To reduce the damage caused by a collision, the Pilot comes with a Collision Mitigation Braking System™, while the Explorer is standard with Pre-Collision Assist® with automatic emergency braking. The Explorer also offers Ford BlueCruise hands-free driving on select highways.

Available Honda Pilot driver assistance and safety features include:

• Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines and camera washer
• Multi-view camera system with front camera washer
• TrailWatch™
• Rear seat reminder
• Seat belt reminder
• 4-in. head-up display
• Honda Sensing® technologies
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane departure warning
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
  • Road departure mitigation system
  • Lane-keeping assist system
  • Traffic jam assist
  • Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
  • Traffic sign recognition system
  • Driver attention monitor
  • Blind spot information system
  • Cross-traffic monitor
  • Low-speed braking control
  • Front and rear parking sensors