The choice between the 2025 Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot is all about finding the best balance of rugged performance, interior comfort, and modern technology! Our comparison is here to help you figure out which of these three-row midsize SUVs is right for your family’s Rocky Mountain adventures.
Key Takeaways
- While the 2025 Explorer starts at the absolute lowest price, the 2025 Pilot isn’t much more expensive!
- When it comes to cruising comfort, the Pilot squeezes out a win with three rows of very cushy seating.
- Not only does the Explorer come standard with an all-new infotainment system for 2025, but it’s also the only one of these SUVs available with hands-free driving technology!
- With more power and better fuel economy, the Explorer is perfect for your wild Colorado adventures.
Friendliest Price: It’s (Basically) a Tie!
Although the 2025 Ford Explorer (starting at $39,785*) costs a little less than the 2025 Honda Pilot (from $40,200*), we’re calling this one a tie. We certainly won’t argue against saving a few hundred dollars in the long run, but most people probably won’t see much of a difference in when it comes to monthly payments.
*Price as of 4/24/25.
Cruising Comfort: 2025 Honda Pilot
This was another category that was almost too close to call, but we’re giving it to the Pilot. We’re big fans of this midsize SUV’s comfy, supportive cabin; all three rows of seating are nicely cushioned. Families who spend a lot of time on the road will also appreciate the Pilot’s smooth, quiet drive. And every trim model is ready for Colorado’s snowy winters, with heated front seats and tri-zone climate control!
Inside the 2025 Ford Explorer, you’ll find all of the above, down to the standard heated front seats. Better still, this new model introduces a redesigned dashboard and upgraded cabin materials. There’s just one thing to note: the third-row seats are lower than the first two rows, because they’re meant for kids. That’s all well and good for your kids, but taller passengers may not appreciate them quite as much.
Family-Friendly Technology: 2025 Ford Explorer
Thanks to its mid-cycle refresh, the 2025 Explorer comes standard with more tech features than ever, including an all-new infotainment system, the Ford Digital Experience. Inside every trim model, you’ll enjoy the perks of its Google-based software (including built-in navigation and voice controls) alongside wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And thanks to a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 13.2-inch central touchscreen, the data you seek is easy to take in at a glance. Compared to previous models, the Explorer now comes standard with a longer list of safety aids, including adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist!
While the Honda Pilot offers a well-rounded list of safety aids, its infotainment system is a bit of a relic by comparison. A 7-inch touchscreen is standard, but you need to upgrade to a higher trim model for a digital gauge display. The system software isn’t as fast as we’d like, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity lets your smartphone step in to do the heavy lifting. The safety lineup feels more modern, however. Although the Pilot isn’t available with all of the Explorer’s safety aids, it does make adaptive cruise control and lane centering standard on all trims!
Premium Performance: 2025 Ford Explorer
You might be surprised to learn that the Explorer delivers both the most powerful performance (great for your excursions into Colorado’s parks) and the best EPA ratings (perfect for saving money at the pump). With the base EcoBoost engine, these midsize SUVs manage to earn a solid 24 mpg combined (20 city/29 highway). And while even its entry-level engine can leave the Pilot in the dust, the Explorer is also available with a high-performance option — the ST’s 400-horsepower turbo V6!
2025 Ford Explorer Powertrain Specs
- 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (300 hp, 311 lb-ft)
- Optional 3.0L turbo V6 (400 hp, 415 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
On the road, the 2025 Honda Pilot feels cool, calm, and collected. But compared to the Explorer’s rugged, rear-wheel-drive performance and turbocharged power, the front-wheel-drive Pilot isn’t nearly as much fun. Even its EPA ratings lag behind, maxing out at 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway). Like the Explorer, though, the Pilot is available with all-wheel drive — traction-boosting gear that comes in handy on icy winter roads and off-road trails alike.
2025 Honda Pilot Powertrain Specs
- 3.5L V6 (285 hp, 262 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
Making the Best Choice
When people ask us whether we’d choose the 2025 Ford Explorer or Honda Pilot for Brighton, CO roads, you can probably guess our answer! Thanks to its newly updated cabin and extra-rugged capabilities, Ford’s midsize SUV can handle your family’s mountain-climbing adventures with ease. Come see for yourself — visit us at Brighton Ford to test-drive the latest version of America’s best-loved SUV!