Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Honda Pilot
Overview
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | Sport |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 (best) | $42,395 |
| Lowest listing price | $17,470 (best) | $37,991 |
| Median listing price | $46,469 (best) | $48,037 |
| Highest listing price | $64,269 | $55,867 (best) |
| For sale now | 37 (best) | 14 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG (best) | 22 MPG |
| City MPG | 20 MPG (best) | 19 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 27 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp (best) | 285 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft (best) | 262 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.3 L | 3.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | V6 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats | 8 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft | 87 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs (best) | 3,500 lbs |
| Curb weight | — | 4,336 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in (best) | 7.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (best) | 113.8 in |
| Length | 198.8 in | 200.1 in (best) |
| Width | 78.9 in (best) | 78.5 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | 71 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | 1 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Explorer | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Sport $42,395 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | Sport $44,495 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | EX-L $44,695 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | EX-L $46,795 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | TrailSport $50,595 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | Touring $51,295 MSRP |
| 7 | Tremor $49,200 MSRP | Touring S $52,295 MSRP |
| 8 | Tremor $56,460 MSRP | Elite $53,695 MSRP |
| 9 | Platinum $50,660 MSRP | Black Edition $55,195 MSRP |
| 10 | Platinum $52,660 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST $53,660 MSRP | — |
| 12 | ST $55,660 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Explorer37 for sale
See all
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
31,300 mi$35,810Jay Hatfield GMC of Pittsburg
Frontenac, KS
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
31,300 mi$35,810Jay Hatfield Chevrolet of Pittsburg
Frontenac, KS
Used2025 Ford Explorer
Active
Gray•Gray79,005 mi$28,499Jay Hatfield GMC Chanute
Chanute, KS
Used2022 Ford Explorer
King Ranch
56,871 mi$34,499Jay Hatfield Chevrolet of Vinita
Vinita, OK
Used2025 Ford Explorer
Active
Gray•Gray79,005 mi$28,499Jay Hatfield Chevrolet Chanute
Chanute, KS
- New
2027 Ford Explorer
Tremor
Avalanche Gray•OnyxN/A$53,779MSRP $53,780Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Honda Pilot14 for sale
See all
Used2024 Honda Pilot
Touring
73,453 mi$37,991Jay Hatfield GMC of Pittsburg
Frontenac, KS
Used2024 Honda Pilot
Touring
73,453 mi$37,991Jay Hatfield Chevrolet of Pittsburg
Frontenac, KS
- New
2026 Honda Pilot
TrailSport
Ash Green Metallic4 mi$52,767Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
- New
2026 Honda Pilot
EX-L
Smoke Blue Pearl•Gray4 mi$47,207Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
New2026 Honda Pilot
Elite
Platinum White Pearl•Brown4 mi$55,867Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
New2026 Honda Pilot
EX-L
Platinum White Pearl•Gray5 mi$48,967Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Honda Pilot?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Honda Pilot on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Honda Pilot?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $17,470. Live Honda Pilot listings start at $37,991.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Honda Pilot?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Honda Pilot?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (24).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Honda Pilot?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Honda Pilot?
- The 2026 Honda Pilot leads on seats in this comparison (8).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Honda Pilot?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,600).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Honda Pilot?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Honda Pilot (5/5 NHTSA overall).