Starting at
Starting at
| 400 hp | Horsepower | 285 hp |
| 415 lb-ft | Torque | 262 lb-ft |
| 13.2 inches | Screen Size | 9 inches |
In the last few years, three-row SUVs have become increasingly popular because they offer another option between traditional midsize and full-size vehicles. Although sizes and designs can vary, a three-row SUV is typically smaller than the large, full-size models out there, closer to a midsize option, but with a third row inside for more passengers to come along with you. These vehicles are perfect for growing families that might need some extra room or if you have kids who love to invite their friends along for activities and events. Choosing the right one can be tricky, so comparing two, like the 2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Honda Pilot often helps with narrowing down your options.
While the Honda Pilot is certainly a fine vehicle in its own right, there are simply too many ways that it falls behind what Ford offers for it to keep up. Right out of the proverbial gate, the two engines available for the Ford Explorer are far superior to the single-engine that Honda offers for the Pilot. The 285-hp engine in the Honda Pilot is fine, but just fine; by comparison, the standard engine in the 2025 Ford Explorer is a 300-hp 2.3L turbocharged beauty. For next-level performance, there is a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine available from Ford that boosts power up to 400 hp with incredible torque that makes the Explorer unbelievably fun to drive. This is power you can feel, and it elevates your daily commute or other routine driving into something you will look forward to and get excited about.
Moving inside, the Ford Explorer continues to be a superior option thanks to some of the most refined features and options we have ever seen in a three-row SUV. For example, you have a 13.2-inch infotainment display that comes standard in every Explorer model, along with more great standard features like heated seats up front--available options take things even further with leather seating, advanced safety technology, and a 14-speaker B&O sound system with a subwoofer. By comparison, the 2025 Honda Pilot starts with a 7-inch infotainment display that is nothing to brag about, and the best it can offer is just a 9-inch screen that falls well short of the standard display Ford provides. Once you bring all of these things together, it is easy to see why so many people choose the Explorer year after year and how it continues to be our favorite three-row SUV on the road.
We know that the engine is not necessarily the most important thing to every driver, but it is something you should never overlook. It is easy to assume that a powerful engine only matters in a sports car or a big truck, but it is important in any sort of vehicle--a three-row SUV is still large enough that your engine has a tremendous impact on what it is like to go for a drive. An underwhelming engine can make an SUV like this downright unbearable when you are behind the wheel. Few things are worse than feeling like you should get out and push your vehicle when you start going uphill, but that is not something you have to worry about with Ford.
With the Honda Pilot, on the other hand, we cannot necessarily say that is the case. Only one engine is offered on the Pilot, which is not the end of the world, but it is a notably underwhelming powertrain for such a large vehicle. The 2025 Honda Pilot comes with a 3.5L V6, which is not terrible at first glance but only offers 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. If this was a compact SUV, that would be good performance--for a large, three-row model, however, it is quite a bit less than we would expect. This is particularly noteworthy from Honda, which is a company we often associate with much more power from their vehicles.
The 2025 Ford Explorer has two engines available, which gives you good odds that one will be better than what Honda offers--in fact, both are superior. For starters, you have a standard 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 engine that provides 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. You can already see Ford offers more power and a superior driving experience, but they are not done. There is also an available 3.0L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine that delivers a remarkable 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. This is massive power for an SUV like this and ensures you have a fantastic time when you hit the road, something Honda cannot say about the underpowered Pilot.
The technology you find in a vehicle can have a tremendous impact on what your experience is like driving it. These days, with so many new and exciting tech features available, it has become more notable and worthwhile than ever before, so it is one of the first things we look at when looking at a modern vehicle. Honda is generally known for delivering impressive tech with their vehicles, but the Pilot is sadly underwhelming. With the Ford Explorer, on the other hand, you get a massive infotainment display and much more to enjoy, especially if you choose a high trim level.
Looking inside the 2025 Honda Pilot, the infotainment display is one of its most disappointing aspects, but it is not the only way it falls short. A 7-inch infotainment screen is standard in the Pilot, which is definitely underwhelming for a model these days; a larger display is available, but it comes in at a paltry 9 inches in size. This is actually a bit shocking since we would expect a screen offered only on higher trims to be quite a step up from the standard option when it comes in undersized. There are some nice things to be found in the 2025 Pilot, like a large driver display and Bose sound system that are available, but it feels like too little too late.
With the 2025 Ford Explorer, the star of the show is up front and center: a gorgeous 13.2-inch infotainment display that comes standard in every model regardless of which trim level you choose. You can see now why we are so shocked at the small size of not only the Honda Pilot's standard screen but also its available option, which is far smaller than what every Explorer comes with. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard, along with heated seats up front and adaptive cruise control; looking at higher trims, you find upgrades like heated and ventilated seating along with a 14-speaker B&O sound system with a subwoofer for incredible audio quality while you drive.
When you are driving, nothing is more important than how well your vehicle helps support you and keep you safe. Ford clearly understands this, which is why the 2025 Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane-Centering, along with many more features to help protect you and your loved ones. You get a Lane-Keeping System, Evasive Steering Assist, and a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert. Some models take things even further: the ST trim, for example, features incredibly responsive handling along with a sport-tuned suspension for superior control. Even Ford's innovative BlueCruise system is offered for hands-free highway driving that can take your daily commute to the next level.
Looking at the Honda Pilot, we see a good amount of safety technology, courtesy of Honda Sensing, which is great but falls short in a few ways. A Blind Spot Information System is standard on the Pilot, along with a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Road Departure Mitigation System, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow. While we like everything Honda offers, we find the comprehensive nature of the Ford Co-Pilot360 to be more attractive, and the BlueCruise system that Ford offers surpasses anything the Honda Pilot can do. This tech from Ford helps ensure you and your loved ones get home safely every time you head out onto the road.
We would never say the Honda Pilot is a bad SUV; it simply cannot keep up with everything the Ford Explorer has to offer for drivers. Whether you are most interested in a powerful engine that makes your SUV fun to drive, a comfortable interior with great features throughout, or large displays that make it easy to keep track of advanced tech in your SUV, the 2025 Ford Explorer is the way to go. All it takes is one drive to begin to appreciate everything Ford offers, which is why we are so pleased to be able to help our customers find whatever they are looking for. That is the difference you get to enjoy when you choose a dealership that puts your needs first.
Here at DePaula Ford, we work hard every day to provide you with the best car-buying experience possible. This starts with the amazing team of people we have put together who are all excited to help you, including our friendly salespeople, knowledgeable financing experts, and certified service technicians. Plus, Ford makes it easy for us to find you an amazing vehicle by providing great options like the Explorer, which has exciting features inside, bold performance to elevate your driving experience, and gorgeous designs that make it a wonder to drive. Call or come visit us at DePaula Ford today to learn more about the Ford lineup, and we will help you find the SUV that you are looking for.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
