2008 Ford Explorer vs 2009 Honda Pilot

2008 Ford Explorer

2009 Honda Pilot

Select style

RWD 4-Door V6 XLT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RWD 4-Door V6 XLT	14	20	$24,771	$26,495
RWD 4-Door V8 XLT	13	20	$25,958	$27,800
4WD 4-Door V6 XLT	13	19	$26,881	$28,815
RWD 4-Door V6 Eddie Bauer	14	20	$27,273	$29,245
AWD 4-Door V6 Adrenaline	13	19	$27,903	$30,015
4WD 4-Door V8 XLT	13	19	$28,074	$30,125
RWD 4-Door V8 Eddie Bauer	13	20	$28,465	$30,555
AWD 4-Door V8 Adrenaline	13	19	$29,092	$31,320
4WD 4-Door V6 Eddie Bauer	13	19	$29,384	$31,565
AWD 4-Door V6 Eddie Bauer	13	19	$29,384	$31,565
4WD 4-Door V8 Eddie Bauer	13	19	$30,576	$32,875
AWD 4-Door V8 Eddie Bauer	13	19	$30,576	$32,875
RWD 4-Door V6 Limited	14	20	$30,740	$33,055
RWD 4-Door V8 Limited	13	20	$31,932	$34,365
4WD 4-Door V6 Limited	13	19	$32,851	$35,375
AWD 4-Door V6 Limited	13	19	$32,851	$35,375
4WD 4-Door V8 Limited	13	19	$34,048	$36,690
AWD 4-Door V8 Limited	13	19	$34,048	$36,690

Select style

2WD 4-Door LX

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
2WD 4-Door LX	17	23	$25,101	$27,695
4WD 4-Door LX	16	22	$26,546	$29,295
2WD 4-Door EX	17	23	$27,631	$30,495
4WD 4-Door EX	16	22	$29,077	$32,095
2WD 4-Door EX-L	17	23	$30,522	$33,695
2WD 4-Door EX-L w/RES	17	23	$31,968	$35,295
4WD 4-Door EX-L	16	22	$31,968	$35,295
2WD 4-Door w/Navi Touring	17	23	$33,414	$36,895
4WD 4-Door w/RES EX-L	16	22	$33,414	$36,895
2WD 4-Door w/RES & Navi Touring	17	23	$34,860	$38,495
4WD 4-Door w/Navi Touring	16	22	$34,860	$38,495
4WD 4-Door w/RES & Navi Touring	16	22	$36,306	$40,095

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$24,771

$25,101

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$26,495

$27,695

Monthly Payment Estimate

$442 / month

$462 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.2

Read Our Full Review

8.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

As the perennial best-selling truck-based SUV, the Ford Explorer is still the one to beat.

The 2009 Honda Pilot looks more SUV-like in its second edition, but it has the room of a minivan, along with some notable styling miscues and expensive choices to make from the options list.

TCC Likes

Independent rear suspension
Interior styling
Stable handling

Expanded interior package
Clever and numerous interior bins
Sweet powertrain

TCC Dislikes

Ride isn't as smooth as car-based crossovers
V-6 engine noise

That big, big grille
Thick styling
Hard plastics inside

Fuel Economy

City

14 mpg

17 mpg

Highway

20 mpg

23 mpg

Vehicle

Rear Door Type

Liftgate

EPA Classification

2WD Sport Utility Vehicle

Interior Dimensions

Third Head Room (in)

38.2

Front Hip Room (in)

55.4

58.6

Third Shoulder Room (in)

58.9

Second Leg Room (in)

36.9

38.5

Front Head Room (in)

39.8

40.0

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

55.5

56.9

Front Shoulder Room (in)

59.0

61.5

Third Leg Room (in)

32.1

Second Head Room (in)

38.7

39.8

Third Hip Room (in)

48.4

Second Shoulder Room (in)

58.9

62.2

Front Leg Room (in)

42.4

41.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

153.7

Exterior Dimensions

Step Up Height - Side (in)

- TBD -

Rear Door Opening Width (in)

- TBD -

Ground to Top of Load Floor (in)

31.4

Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in)

193.4

Side Door Opening Height (in)

Ground Clearance, Rear (in)

8.3

Height, Overall (in)

72.8

71.0

Step Up Height - Front (in)

- TBD -

Rear Door Opening Height (in)

33.7

- TBD -

Overhang, Rear w/bumper (in)

44.3

Wheelbase (in)

113.7

109.2

Ground Clearance, Front (in)

8.3

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.7

78.5

Side Door Opening Width (in)

Overhang, Front (in)

35.4

Liftover Height (in)

Track Width, Rear (in)

67.5

Track Width, Front (in)

67.7

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.0

Length, Overall (in)

190.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 4 (ft³)

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

44.9

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

85.8

87.0

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

18.0

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Console (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

45.1

47.7

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 4 (in)

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.85 x 0.39

13.1 x - TBD -

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.01 x 0.43

13.0 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System (Second Line)

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

22.5

21.0

Fuel Tank Location

Midship

Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

Aux Fuel Tank Location

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

38.4

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), On Center

18.9

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.8

38.6

Steering Type

Power Rack & Pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Steering Ratio (:1), At Lock

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.69

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

19.0

Tires

Front Tire Order Code

T52

Rear Tire Capacity (lbs)

1700

Spare Tire Order Code

T52

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Front

721

Rear Tire Size

P235/70R16

P245/65R17

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Spare

721

Front Tire Capacity (lbs)

1700

Rear Tire Order Code

T52

Spare Tire Capacity (lbs)

1700

Front Tire Size

P235/70R16

P245/65R17

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Rear

721

Spare Tire Size

P235/70R16

Compact

Trailering

Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

Weight Information

Gross Combined Wt Rating (lbs)

8500

Curb Weight - Front (lbs)

2329

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap (lbs)

6010

Gross Axle Wt Rating - Rear (lbs)

3340

Curb Weight - Rear (lbs)

2107

Gross Axle Wt Rating - Front (lbs)

2860

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4319

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x 7

17 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16 x 7

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x 7

17 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

7.8

9.93

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (2nd)

Maximum Alternator Watts

1950

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

650

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

130

- TBD -

Engine

Fuel System

SMPI

MPFI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

254 @ 3700

253 @ 4800

Engine Order Code

- TBD -

Displacement

4.0L/245

3.5L/212

Engine Oil Cooler

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

210 @ 5100

250 @ 5700

Engine Type

Gas V6

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.77

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Transfer Case Model

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.22

2.70

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.54

1.07

Trans Type

Trans PTO Access

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

0.61

Trans Description Cont. Again

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.07

1.89

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.29

1.61

Trans Order Code

- TBD -

Transfer Case Power Take Off

Trans Power Take Off

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.31

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Explorer

Honda Pilot

Body Code

Body Style

4 Door

Suspension

Axle Ratio (:1) - Rear

3.55

Axle Type - Front

Ford SLA

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

32.0

- TBD -

Axle Capacity - Front (lbs)

3240

Suspension Type - Rear

Independent SLA

Multi-link

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.77

1.04

Axle Ratio (:1) - Front

Spring Capacity - Rear (lbs)

2200

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

32.0

- TBD -

Axle Type - Rear

Ford SLA

Suspension Type - Front

Independent SLA

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

1.34

0.91

Axle Capacity - Rear (lbs)

3600

Spring Capacity - Front (lbs)

2470

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Trailing Arms

Frame

Frame Type

Ladder

Doors

Side Door Type

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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