A good family SUV should make everyone feel comfortable. It should be a living room on wheels that somehow feels smaller and more manageable to the family driver.

Is it possible for a three-row SUV to do all these things? This 2025 Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot comparison seeks to answer the question.  

Spaciousness

How much space does your family need? The answer for almost everyone is always more, more, more. So it’s important that the Pilot wins hands-down when it comes to spaciousness. You’ll find more legroom on the second and third rows.

The Pilot has a bigger cargo hold, and that means it can accommodate another suitcase for a long journey. When folding the seats, the Pilot maintains its edge over the 2025 Ford Explorer in Phoenix. Plus if you need a little extra cargo space, the second row can move forward on its track.  

When you think of the Ford’s imposing curb size, it’s logical to wonder why the Ford Explorer in Phoenix doesn't have enough space. However, if you look at the vehicle shape, it becomes obvious. Ford Explorers in Phoenix have a sloped roofline that cuts into rear passenger space and reduces cargo space as well.  

Seating

Not only is the Pilot bigger, but it also has more seats. With a layout of 2-3-3, a family of 8 can find a place to sit in this Honda SUV. A removable center 2nd-row seat can stow in the cargo area, giving you more space if you only need 7 seats.

Of course, you can choose versatile captain’s chairs for the 2nd row and reduce seating to 7 permanently with a layout of 2-2-3. The middle row is on tracks that allow you to push the seats forward for more legroom on the third row or back to maximize 2nd row legroom.  

In comparison, the Explorer seats only 7 with a layout of 2-3-2. Its back row can accommodate only two people. Parents should be aware that this cuts back on the Explorer’s ability to handle child car seats. Like the Pilot, it offers center captain’s chairs. This reduces the Ford’s seating to 6 with a layout of 2-2-2.  

Only Honda has special body stabilizing seats. These are designed to reduce fatigue for the driver and front seat passenger. Its second-row seats can recline for extra wiggle room.  

Performance

The Pilot V6 engine delivers 285 horsepower, which is plenty for this large ride. Family drivers can feel confident when they need to pass on the highway or zoom from to 60 mph quickly. It’s not as much as the 300-horsepower Explorer in Phoenix, but that may be a good trade off. The Explorer’s engine tends to drone, ruining the passenger’s ride quality.

Plus Pilots are easier to drive, thanks to their front-wheel drivetrain. Explorers have a standard rear-wheel drivetrain that can feel unwieldy in a vehicle this big. A 10-speed automatic transmission is mated to both the Pilot and Explorer engines. By the way, if you are curious about the Explorer Hybrid, it has been discontinued.  

Only the Honda SUV keeps things quiet with its active control engine mount system and its active noise cancellation. The Ford has neither of those Honda standards. If you have questions about Pilot standards and available features, please contact us at Earnhardt Honda.  

Rugged Capability

According to many critics and consumers, the Ford Explorer is often chosen for its rugged appeal. While the Pilot might not have the same reputation, it doesn’t mean that the Pilot can’t take on adventures. Of course, it offers all-wheel drive for any buyer who wants a more athletic drivetrain.

Ready for fun, the 2025 Honda Pilot TrailSport is the perfect antidote for those who want the Pilot’s many assets while still getting the Explorer’s athleticism. The TrailSport has more ground clearance due to its raised suspension that’s been specially tuned for off-roading.  

Honda TrailSports have underbody skid plates, special rugged wheels, and other protective gear to reduce the chances of damage. All-terrain tires and terrain management allow it to tackle the sand, mud and dirt that you’ll find all around us in Phoenix. Learn more in this 2025 Pilot Review.  

Family Features

Beyond its obvious spaciousness, the Honda Pilot offers some important features you won’t see listed for the Ford Explorer in Phoenix.

If you want to cool off the cabin on a hot summer day, the Pilot has a remote starter built into your keyfob. If you want to regulate sound throughout the cabin, the Honda offers special multi-zone audio. On the other hand, if you want to talk to the kids on the back row, Honda offers CabinTalk. This intercom lets the driver speak to kids without turning around.  

Of course, the removable center-middle seat is another example of the ways that the Pilot -- rather than the Explorer -- seeks to provide what parents really need. A rear seat reminder signals the Honda driver to check the back rows for kids, pets or packages when the SUV is turned off.  

Both the Explorer and Pilot have a full suite of safety standards, including driver assistance. Honda systems have been more widely offered for more years. For instance, it started offering road departure assistance years before competitors, and it is still considered an excellent system since it uses automatic braking and steering assistance.  

Critic Ratings and Safety Scores

While the Honda Pilot makes the top five at US News and World Report, the same reviewers rank the Explorer at #19 in midsize SUVs. Car Connection ranks the Pilot at #2 while ranking the Explorer at #12.

Kelley Blue Book (KBB) ranks the Pilot in the top two for 2025, but the Explorer currently doesn’t have a ranking. In their 3 row midsize SUV comparison, KBB critics wrote “the new Honda Pilot does everything well.” Several of their judges noted that even when there was a less expensive alternative, they would choose the Honda.  

The Pilot ranked 3 in this comparison while the Ford Explorer in Phoenix ranked #6. Judges complained that, for all the Explorer’s advanced features, the Ford 3 row SUV lagged “in the fundamentals.” They also criticized the stop-and-go system for its “unpleasant jerkiness.”  

As this Pilot vs Explorer comparison is being published, the 2025 Pilot has already earned 2024 Top Safety Pick Plus. That’s the highest honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Explorer has good IIHS scores, but it hasn’t yet been chosen for this honor. Furthermore, the Pilot has earned its federal 5-star rating. The Explorer score has not been

Conclusion

The Ford 3 row SUV is obviously a formidable rival, but the Pilot has more seats and more space. Equally important, the Honda 3 row SUV covers both the fundamentals and the extras better.

If you are thinking about buying a 3 row SUV, start your search with the Pilot at Earnhardt Honda. You’ll find everything mentioned in this comparison and much more.

Schedule a test drive.