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 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | Sport 2WD |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 (best) | $42,195 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,302 (best) | $14,333 |
| Median listing price | $45,275 | $40,896 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $64,810 | $56,395 (best) |
| For sale now | 637 (best) | 116 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 19 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats | 8 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft (best) | — |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs (best) | 3,500 lbs |
| Curb weight | — | 4,336 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in (best) | — |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (best) | 114 in |
| Length | 198.8 in | 200.1 in (best) |
| Width | 78.9 in | 79 in (best) |
| Height | 69.9 in | 71 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Honda PilotSport 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2WD $42,195 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | Sport AWD $44,295 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | EX-L $44,495 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | EX-L $46,595 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | TrailSport AWD $50,395 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | Touring $51,095 MSRP |
| 7 | Tremor $49,200 MSRP | Touring S $52,295 MSRP |
| 8 | Tremor $56,460 MSRP | Elite $53,495 MSRP |
| 9 | Platinum $50,660 MSRP | Black Edition AWD $54,995 MSRP |
| 10 | Platinum $52,660 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST $53,660 MSRP | — |
| 12 | ST $55,660 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Explorer637 for sale
See all
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Star White Metallic Tri Coat•Onyx29,816 mi$48,475Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
- New
2027 Ford Explorer
ST
Agate Black Metallic•OnyxN/A$63,134Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Carbonized Gray Metallic•Onyx15,457 mi$50,470Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Vapor Blue Metallic•Onyx1,945 mi$55,470Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat•Onyx5 mi$62,119MSRP $63,825Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Star White Metallic Tri Coat•Onyx14,604 mi$50,275Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Honda Pilot116 for sale
See all
Used2025 Honda Pilot
Touring 4dr SUV
GRAY48,616 mi$42,252Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
Used2019 Honda Pilot
Touring 7-Passenger
Blue•gray46,329 mi$29,199Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Certified2025 Honda Pilot
Sport
Gray•Black49,438 mi$35,335Bob Boyte Honda Moss Point
Moss Point, MS
Used2021 Honda Pilot
Elite
Deep Scarlet Pearl•Beige55,458 mi$29,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Certified2024 Honda Pilot
Touring
Crystal Black Pearl•Black106,038 mi$31,491Stokes Hodges Ford Graniteville
Graniteville, SC
Certified2024 Honda Pilot
Touring
Obsidian Blue Pearl•Gray8,785 mi$42,000Plaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
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 $10,302. Live Honda Pilot listings start at $14,333.
- 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).