2025 Ford Explorer vs. Honda Pilot: Which Three-Row SUV Is Better for Your Family?
Quick Answer: 2025 Ford Explorer vs. Honda Pilot
For 2025, the Ford Explorer offers more powertrain choice, with a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder or a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 in the ST, plus available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving on eligible trims. The Honda Pilot uses one 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and offers seating for up to eight in bench-seat configurations, along with slightly greater published maximum cargo volume. Both tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and configured. The better fit depends on your seating needs, cargo habits, and driving priorities.
Choose the Right Three-Row SUV for Your Family
A 2025 Ford Explorer comparison with the 2025 Honda Pilot starts with one practical question: Which SUV fits your family's everyday needs, budget, and driving habits? Both are popular three-row choices, but the Explorer provides more powertrain choice and stronger available performance, while the Pilot provides an available eighth seating position and a single V6 powertrain across its lineup.
For this comparison,Ford's 2025 Explorer specifications,Honda's 2025 Pilot specifications,EPA fuel-economy estimates,NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, andIIHS evaluations provide the clearest model-year-specific picture. The Explorer is offered with turbocharged four-cylinder or twin-turbo V6 power, while every 2025 Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6. That difference affects acceleration, fuel use, towing configuration, and the type of driving experience each SUV delivers during Northeast Oklahoma routines, from August carpools and sports practices to late-summer trips around Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, and Sand Springs.
2025 Ford Explorer vs. 2025 Honda Pilot: Specification Comparison
| Category | 2025 Ford Explorer | 2025 Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Seating capacity | Up to 7; 6 with available second-row captain's chairs | Up to 8 with second-row bench in applicable trims; 7 with captain's chairs (including TrailSport, Elite, Black Edition) |
| Engines | 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 (standard on Active, ST-Line, Platinum); 3.0L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 (standard on ST, available on Platinum) | 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 (all trims) |
| Horsepower and torque | 300 hp / 310 lb.-ft. (2.3L); 400 hp / 415 lb.-ft. (3.0L, premium fuel recommended for rated output) | 285 hp / 262 lb.-ft. |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive standard across the lineup, including the ST; Intelligent 4WD available | Front-wheel drive standard on several trims; i-VTM4 all-wheel drive available or standard depending on trim |
| Cargo volume (published) | 18.2 cu. ft. behind third row; 46.0 cu. ft. behind second row; 85.8 cu. ft. with both rear rows folded | Up to 18.6 cu. ft. behind third row; up to 48.5 cu. ft. behind second row; up to 87.0 cu. ft. with rear rows folded. Higher published figures apply to specific configurations and measurement methods |
| Maximum towing | Up to 5,000 lbs. when properly equipped | Up to 5,000 lbs. on AWD trims when properly equipped; up to 3,500 lbs. on 2WD trims |
| EPA estimates | 20 city / 29 hwy / 24 combined (2.3L RWD); 20 city / 27 hwy / 23 combined (2.3L 4WD); 18 city / 25 hwy / 21 combined (3.0L RWD); 18 city / 25 hwy / 20 combined (3.0L 4WD) | 19 city / 27 hwy / 22 combined (2WD); 19 city / 25 hwy / 21 combined (non-TrailSport AWD); 18 city / 23 hwy / 20 combined (TrailSport) |
| Hybrid availability | None in the 2025 lineup | None in the 2025 lineup |
| Driver-assistance technology | Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ standard content; available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving on eligible trims, subject to equipment, plan, and road eligibility | Honda Sensing standard on every trim; blind-spot, cross-traffic, parking sensor, and camera content varies by trim |
| Best fit | Families who want powertrain choice, available 400-horsepower performance, or available hands-free highway technology | Families who need an eighth seat, prefer a naturally aspirated V6, or want slightly greater published maximum cargo volume |
All figures above are configuration-dependent and reflect published manufacturer, EPA, and safety-agency data for the 2025 model year. Confirm equipment, ratings, and capability on the specific vehicle you are considering.
Seating and Cargo Space for Family Routines
The 2025 Explorer seats up to seven people, with available second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to six. The 2025 Pilot seats up to eight in applicable trims with a second-row bench, while TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition models use captain's chairs and seat seven. Families that regularly need an eighth passenger have an advantage in a bench-seat Pilot; families prioritizing easier third-row access may prefer captain's chairs in either SUV.
Third-row comfort deserves a close look before you decide, and it is difficult to evaluate from a spec sheet. Sit in the third row of both SUVs, with the second row adjusted the way your family would actually use it. Compare third-row legroom, headroom, and seat height. Try the access path, including how far the second row slides and how easily a child can climb through. Bring the child seats you use and install them in the positions you plan to use, because latch anchor placement, seat contour, and belt geometry differ between vehicles and between rows.
Cargo space is close, although the Pilot has a modest maximum-volume advantage. Ford lists 18.2 cubic feet behind the Explorer's third row, 46.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Honda lists up to 18.6 cubic feet behind the Pilot's third row, 48.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 87.0 cubic feet with the rear rows folded. In daily use, both can handle backpacks, groceries, a stroller, or folding chairs behind the third row, while the Pilot offers slightly more room for larger loads with seats folded. Published cargo figures vary by configuration and measurement method, so compare the specific trims on your list.
- The Explorer seats up to seven; the Pilot seats up to eight in applicable trims.
- Captain's chairs in either SUV can make third-row access easier.
- The Pilot has slightly more published cargo volume behind the third row and with seats folded.
- Bring a child seat, stroller, or regular cargo items to confirm the layout works for your family.
Powertrain Choices for Tulsa-Area Driving
The 2025 Explorer gives shoppers two gas-engine choices. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, rated at 300 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, is standard on Active, ST-Line, and Platinum. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, rated at 400 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque, is standard on the ST and available on Platinum. Rear-wheel drive is standard across the Explorer lineup, and Intelligent 4WD is available. The 2025 Explorer ST features rear-wheel drive as standard, with Intelligent 4WD available.
Honda uses one powertrain for every 2025 Pilot: a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 rated at 285 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on several Pilot trims, while i-VTM4 all-wheel drive is available or standard depending on trim. The Pilot is the simpler choice for shoppers who prefer a traditional V6 driving feel, while the Explorer is the better fit for drivers who want stronger available acceleration or the higher-output ST model.
Neither the 2025 Explorer nor the 2025 Pilot offers a hybrid powertrain. Ford offered an Explorer Hybrid in earlier model years, so used and Ford Blue Advantage shoppers may still find one, but it is not part of the 2025 Explorer lineup.
Your priorities may point you in different directions:
- The 2025 Explorer with the 2.3-liter engine and rear-wheel drive is EPA-rated at 20 city / 29 highway / 24 combined mpg; with Intelligent 4WD, 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.
- The 2025 Explorer ST is EPA-rated at 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg with rear-wheel drive, and 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg with Intelligent 4WD.
- The front-wheel-drive 2025 Pilot is EPA-rated at 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.
- Non-TrailSport all-wheel-drive Pilot models are EPA-rated at 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg, and the TrailSport is rated at 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.
- The Explorer can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive and proper equipment, while front-wheel-drive Pilot models are rated up to 3,500 pounds.
EPA-estimated fuel economy. Actual mileage will vary based on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors. Seefueleconomy.gov for ratings on other engine and drivetrain combinations. Towing ratings are published maximums for properly equipped vehicles and are not guarantees of real-world capability. Cargo weight, passengers, trailer weight, trailer brakes, equipment, road conditions, and driving habits all matter. Towing requires accessory towing equipment; see your dealer for details.
Safety Technology for Daily Family Driving
Family SUVs should help drivers feel aware and confident in traffic, parking lots, school drop-off lines, and highway travel. The 2025 Explorer includes Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with features such as Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering, and a 360-degree camera. Specific feature content varies by trim and equipment, so confirm the list on the vehicle you are considering.
Honda equips every 2025 Pilot with Honda Sensing driver-assist technology, including Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, Traffic Jam Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition. Blind-spot information, rear cross-traffic monitoring, parking sensors, and camera equipment vary by Pilot trim.
About Ford BlueCruise
AvailableFord BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is offered on eligible 2025 Explorer trims and can be a meaningful differentiator for families who spend significant time on divided highways. Please note the following:
- BlueCruise is a driver-assist feature. It is not full self-driving technology and does not replace safe driving or the driver's attention, judgment, and need to control the vehicle.
- BlueCruise requires applicable factory-installed equipment and an active plan or trial. Availability varies by model, model year, trim, and configuration, and the hardware cannot be added after the vehicle is built.
- Hands-free operation is limited to prequalified sections of controlled-access divided highways, called hands-free Blue Zones. Only remove your hands in a hands-free Blue Zone.
- Drivers must keep their eyes on the road and be prepared to resume control at all times. A driver-facing camera monitors driver attention, and the system will alert the driver and disengage if attention is not returned to the road.
- Lane markings must be clearly visible to the vehicle's sensors for the system to operate. See the Owner's Manual for details and limitations.
Crash-Test Ratings
For the 2025 model year, NHTSA assigns both the Explorer and the Pilot a five-star overall rating under its5-Star Safety Ratings program. NHTSA overall ratings apply to the specific configurations tested and combine frontal, side, and rollover results.
IIHS award levels differ between the two vehicles. The2025-26 Ford Explorer is a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ recipient, and that award applies only to vehicles built after June 2025. The2025-26 Honda Pilot earns the lower-tier 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK award. IIHS awards reflect performance in specific tests, on vehicles equipped as tested, and under IIHS award criteria for that award year. They do not mean every crash scenario, trim, or build date performs identically, and they should not be read as a prediction of outcomes in a real-world crash. Verify the current award status and build-date qualifier for any specific vehicle before you buy.
During a family-focused test drive, pay attention to rear visibility, camera clarity, parking confidence, third-row access, child-seat installation, and how driver-assist alerts feel in normal Tulsa-area traffic.
Ownership Needs and the Final Test Drive
Purchase price is only one part of SUV ownership. The Explorer's turbocharged engines offer more power choices, while the Pilot's one-engine lineup may be easier to compare across trims. Fuel use is similar between the Explorer ST and all-wheel-drive Pilot, while the 2.3-liter rear-wheel-drive Explorer has the highest published combined EPA estimate of the two model lines. Insurance, maintenance schedules, tire costs, warranty coverage, resale considerations, and vehicle condition still affect total ownership costs.
Ford ownership tools can also matter for Explorer buyers. Connectivity and remote features through the Ford app, formerly known as the FordPass app, along with Ford Rewards, Ford Protect plan options, recommended maintenance schedules, and Ford Blue Advantage benefits for eligible pre-owned vehicles, may add value depending on the vehicle and ownership plan. Remote features require an activated vehicle modem and the Ford app, and availability varies by model.
The Explorer is the stronger choice for families who want available 400-horsepower performance, up to 5,000 pounds of towing capability when properly equipped, or available BlueCruise technology. The Pilot is the stronger choice for families that need up to eight seats, prefer a naturally aspirated V6, or value its slightly larger published cargo capacity.
The most useful final step is a side-by-side test drive built around your real routine. Families in Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Owasso, Bixby, Sand Springs, and surrounding Northeast Oklahoma communities can make that comparison more meaningful by bringing child seats, cargo items, and a clear list of must-have features. For 2025 models, the decisive difference is straightforward: choose the Explorer for powertrain variety, available performance, and Ford technology; choose the Pilot for its available eighth seat, traditional V6, and slightly greater published cargo capacity.
Compare Family-Friendly Explorer Options
At Jim Norton Ford, we can help you narrow down the trim, seating, cargo, and technology features that fit your household. Explore our Ford Explorer comparison to review available options before your visit. When you are ready to discuss inventory or schedule a drive, contact us for assistance from our team.
Disclaimer:Specifications, EPA estimates, safety ratings, feature availability, and program terms are current as of publication and are subject to change. Confirm all figures against manufacturer and agency sources for the specific vehicle and configuration you are considering.
