How the 2025 Ford Explorer Offers More to Drivers Than the 2025 Honda Pilot

Since its debut in the early 1990s, the Ford Explorer has been the undisputed king of SUVs. The Explorer proved that SUVs were not only for rugged outdoor enthusiasts or adventurers but could also be utilized as reliable forms of family transportation. Since then, the Ford Explorer has become the industry’s most popular and highest-selling SUV, and many manufacturers have attempted to emulate and compete with it to win its crown. Among the vehicles that are looking to achieve this goal is the Honda Pilot.

Competition brings out the best in all of us, and with the SUV being the most popular and in-demand vehicle class, it’s at its fiercest here. We’re looking at what advantages they offer in the SUV showdown feature. The 2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Honda Pilot is a contest of supremacy. Only one of these two SUVs can come out on top, so let us begin.

Performance for the Modern World

The SUV is considered by many to be one of the most versatile vehicles in the industry today, with multiple uses and applications. The performance of an SUV is essential for activities such as family-oriented transportation, adventuring, and packing in copious amounts of cargo when the situation warrants it. The ideal powertrain is necessary to accomplish all of these tasks, so this is where our examination begins.

One item that might disappoint many drivers is the limitation of the Honda Pilot’s single powertrain. This sole offering consists of a 3.5L V6 that produces 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a capable ten-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard, but more adventurous drivers have access to AWD if need be. The need for a second powertrain might cause problems, as a scaled-down version would not be able to elicit better fuel economy, particularly for those who spend a lot of time driving in the city. As such, the EPA-estimated ratings for the Pilot are 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway, for a combined total of 22 MPG.

The Pilot can also be established as a workhorse, with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 lbs when equipped with AWD. These specs aren’t sub-par but fall behind other models, such as the Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, and Ford Explorer, which can effortlessly pull 5,600 lbs.

Suppose the Honda Pilot suffers from a lack of variety in its powertrain department. In that case, the Ford Explorer excels by allowing drivers to decide between two different engines, one based on economy and the other for performance. The base engine consists of a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine with 300 hp capable of generating 310 lb-ft of torque. This allows for 21 MPG in the city limits and 28 MPG on the highway, making it suitable for family travels in the city.

Drivers looking for a chance to put the pedal to the metal will be pleased to know that the ST-Line of the Ford Explorer is returning in 2025. A turbocharged 3.0L V6 delivers the goods in 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. RWD is standard on all Explorer models, but AWD is available, and both engines are paired with Ford’s highly competent ten-speed automatic transmission.

Verdict: The limitations placed on the Pilot regarding performance are quite concerning. This makes the vehicle only desirable for a niche crowd. The Explorer, with two options designed for economy and performance, allows drivers to choose what works best. A superior towing capacity and fuel economy speak volumes of the Explorer’s versatility and capability.

Interior, Technology, and Capacity

Aspects of performance aside, the interior of any SUV is where you’ll spend most of your time. The modern SUV driver needs basic comforts and amenities, technological features that can enhance the experience on the road and provide a discernible level of entertainment, and a decent amount of storage space. After all, practicality is one of the most prominent attributes related to the SUV vehicle class.

The infotainment screen in any vehicle is the virtual gateway to a variety of features that many drivers come to rely on daily. Despite Honda’s well-established reputation for crafting exceptional vehicles, their infotainment setup leaves much to be desired. A seven-inch infotainment screen is standard and compatible with Apple and Android products. However, wireless connectivity is only available if you choose another trim with a slightly larger nine-inch screen.

If the Ford Explorer outclasses the Honda Pilot in performance, it also manages to do so in infotainment. All versions of the Ford Explorer are granted a 13.2-inch infotainment screen with an all-new software suite known as the Ford Digital Appearance. Many platforms are now accessible, including Apple, Android, Google, and even Amazon. A high-end stereo system from Bang & Olufsen is standard on most trims and features 12 speakers to maximize your entertainment experience.

Both vehicles are adept at storage and seating, with the Explorer and Pilot offering the option of second-row Captain’s chairs for a more sophisticated journey. Storage capability is essential for many SUV owners, and both can carry plenty. With both vehicles full of passengers, both SUVs offer roughly the same amount of storage, with over 18 cu.ft. of room.

Verdict: The Explorer’s brand-new software setup, with far more accessible platforms and a more significant screen standard on all trims, is almost too tempting. The Pilot’s infotainment screen and limited offerings illustrate the brand’s need to catch up to where other brands like Ford are in this particular segment.

In the Never-Ending Contest of SUV Supremacy, the Ford Explorer Still Wears the Crown

There’s undoubtedly an apparent reason why the Ford Explorer is one of, if not the most popular and revered SUVs on the road today. A host of features that show incredible strides in technological innovation and powertrains that can adapt to any driver’s needs are far and away proof that Ford has its finger on the pulse of what modern consumers need. The Pilot, despite being built by one of the most respected manufacturers in the industry, almost seems outdated, even in the 2025 model year, where drivers have high expectations as to what their SUVs have to offer.

Because the Explorer has been in production for a long time, Ford has been able to improve its design over time and consider different changes in the marketplace. Honda’s choice to streamline production and offer less variety is ultimately its Achille’s Heel. Ford allows drivers to choose which version of the Explorer works best for them regarding drivetrain, performance, and economy. No two drivers are the same, and limited options to choose from diminishes overall quality.

The 2025 Ford Explorer is exceptional, and if you’d like to experience its prowess and capability firsthand, look no further than DePaula Ford to get you behind the wheel. You’ll find the all-new 2025 Ford Explorer on our lot, along with many other new and used Ford vehicles held to the highest quality standards. Our friendly and professional sales team is here to discuss the trims and features that make each Ford vehicle unique and assist you in choosing the one that benefits you the most.