2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Honda Pilot: Which Is Built for Urban Driving?

The number of things to love about urban living would take a long time to list, but there are some considerations that also need to be made, especially when it comes to your vehicle of choice. The fact is that living in the city requires a capable and efficient vehicle that can navigate tight streets, parking garages, and stop-and-go traffic. At DePaula Ford, we think we have the right vehicle for your needs. The Ford Explorer has not only been a reliable mainstay in the Ford lineup since it debuted in 1991, but the latest version has everything you need to tackle city living and more.

The 2025 Ford Explorer gives you seating for seven and the ability to enjoy adventure on the weekend beyond the city limits. However, it’s the way it helps you move within the city that makes it a top contender when looking for your next SUV. Of course, you might also wonder how it stacks up against the competition. For example, when comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Honda Pilot, which one gives you more of what you need? We’ll discuss that as well as what you can expect from the latest Explorer below. Additionally, we invite you to visit our dealership to talk with our team about any questions you have about the Ford lineup of SUVs to ensure you get the one that best matches your needs.

Two Three-Row SUVs Compared

As mentioned, the Ford Explorer has been a part of the Ford SUV lineup for more than 20 years. Throughout those years, it has shifted from a boxy SUV to one that has streamlined curves and thoughtful styling both inside and out. The latest version has four trim levels to choose from, starting with the base Active trim. As the name implies, this trim is ready for whatever you put in its way, especially when you add in the available Active Comfort Package. This package adds a heated steering wheel and remote start system––both of which are perfect for chilly mornings––plus an eight-way power passenger seat and ActiveX seating material. This is in addition to available Intelligent 4WD and a standard Terrain Management System, which provides you with seven selectable drive modes.

When it comes to driving around the city, you need to understand the dimensions of the vehicle you choose to get the most comfort—especially when street parking or parking garages are involved. For the 2025 Ford Explorer, the dimensions are virtually the same for all four trims, with a few exceptions. For instance, the wheelbase measures 119.1 inches while the length is 198.7 inches. However, the height is different, with the Active and ST-Line coming in at 69.6 inches, while the ST is 69.8 inches. The top-tier Platinum trim is even taller at 70.2 inches.

While height might not matter if you park on the street, it is something to consider when parking in the garage. When comparing these measurements to the 2025 Honda Pilot, you’ll see that the Honda is longer, with a measurement of 199.9 inches, as well as taller at 78.5 inches across all trim levels. While the differences might not seem like much, they can be when navigating city driving and parking. With the Explorer’s smaller footprint, it can deliver added confidence, which also gives you peace of mind.

It’s also important to note that the Explorer has a higher ground clearance, starting at 7.6 inches compared to the Pilot’s 7.3 inches, unless you choose the TrailSport trim level of the Pilot, which has a ground clearance of 8.3 inches. The Explorer’s top trim level, the Platinum, is comparable to the TrailSport trim of the Pilot, with a clearance of 8.2 inches. Finally, the ST trim level for the Explorer has a ground clearance of 7.8 inches.

With the tape measures put away, you might also wonder what the 2025 Explorer offers you in terms of efficiency and safety. You’ll find that information below.

Efficiency and Performance

Between the four trim levels, the Explorer offers two engine options: the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6. The smaller of the two gives you 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The larger offers 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Active, ST-Line, and Platinum all come with the standard 2.3L engine, while the V6 is standard for the ST trim level. If you prefer the Platinum level but want the larger engine, it is an available option. Regardless of the engine you choose, the maximum towing capacity is 5,000 lbs.

For the 2025 Honda Pilot, you can also expect to haul up to 5,000 lbs, depending on the trim and added equipment you choose. However, there is only one engine option for the Pilot—and while it’s a larger engine than the Explorer offers, the horsepower it produces is significantly lower. That engine choice is a 3.5L V6 with just 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. As far as fuel efficiency, the 2025 Ford Explorer has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. This is better than the 2025 Pilot’s rating of 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.

Safety Features

These days, most automotive manufacturers, including Ford and Honda, set high standards for safety in their vehicles. In fact, both offer a long list of driver assist technologies within their safety suite. For Ford, that collection is known as Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+. For Honda, it’s Honda Sensing. Some of the available features you will see when choosing the 2025 Ford Explorer include the following:

Lane-Keeping System: This system scans the road you’re on to ensure your vehicle stays centered in the lane. If it senses you swaying too far to one side, it will send an alert so you can correct your positioning.

Evasive Steering Assist: Traffic can change in an instant, which is why it’s crucial to have a system like this on board. This system scans the road ahead for stopped or slowed traffic and assists you with extra steering support when needed to help avoid a collision.

BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert: In addition to the blind spot monitoring you might be familiar with, this system includes Cross-Traffic Alert, which detects traffic behind you as you try to navigate out of your parking spot.

Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking: This system can sense potential collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects and provide you with automatic braking if you’re unable to react in time.

In addition to these features, you’ll find plenty more when considering the 2025 Explorer, including Ford BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system that is available for the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trim levels. This system is compatible with more than 130,000 miles of roads across North America and allows you to fully relax during the drive, arriving at your destination refreshed and ready to go. For Honda, many of the same features listed for the Explorer are also available for the Pilot, but it does not have the ability to utilize hands-free driving.

Check Out the 2025 Ford Explorer Today

As you can see, the 2025 Ford Explorer offers many amenities for urban dwellers, including easy parking and maneuvering, good fuel efficiency, and remarkable driver assist features that keep you and your passengers safe both in and out of the city. In fact, when compared to the 2025 Honda Pilot, it’s easy to see why the Explorer is a strong contender when choosing the right SUV for your needs. If you’re curious about the latest Explorer and what else it offers that can make driving more fun and functional than ever before, stop by and talk with our team at DePaula Ford.