2017 Ford Explorer vs 2017 Honda Pilot

Compare 2017 Ford Explorer vs 2017 Honda Pilot

2017 Ford Explorer

2017 Honda Pilot

Select style

Base 4WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD	16	23	$32,626	$33,810
Explorer Base FWD	17	24	$30,553	$31,660
Explorer Limited 4WD	18	25	$41,853	$43,825
Explorer Limited FWD	19	27	$39,800	$41,675
Explorer Platinum 4WD	16	22	$50,839	$53,235
Explorer Sport 4WD	16	22	$43,315	$45,355
Explorer XLT 4WD	16	23	$34,308	$35,925
Explorer XLT FWD	17	24	$32,255	$33,775

Select style

EX 2WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Pilot EX 2WD	19	27	$30,338	$33,180
Pilot EX AWD	18	26	$31,980	$34,980
Pilot EX w/Honda Sensing 2WD	19	27	$31,250	$34,180
Pilot EX w/Honda Sensing AWD	18	26	$32,892	$35,980
Pilot EX-L 2WD	19	27	$33,462	$36,605
Pilot EX-L AWD	18	26	$35,104	$38,405
Pilot EX-L w/Honda Sensing 2WD	19	27	$34,374	$37,605
Pilot EX-L w/Honda Sensing AWD	18	26	$36,016	$39,405
Pilot EX-L w/Navigation 2WD	19	27	$34,374	$37,605
Pilot EX-L w/Navigation AWD	18	26	$36,016	$39,405
Pilot EX-L w/RES 2WD	19	27	$34,921	$38,205
Pilot EX-L w/RES AWD	18	26	$36,563	$40,005
Pilot Elite AWD	19	26	$43,144	$47,220
Pilot LX 2WD	19	27	$28,117	$30,745
Pilot LX AWD	18	26	$29,759	$32,545
Pilot Touring 2WD	20	27	$38,219	$41,820
Pilot Touring AWD	19	26	$39,860	$43,620

Show Only Differences

2017 Honda Pilot vs. 2017 Ford Explorer: Compare Cars

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

If you're in charge of the carpool and looking for something new, a three-row crossover SUV should be among the top vehicles on your shopping list.

Few of these big wagons have the heritage and name recognition of the Ford Explorer. But when it comes to carrying big families in the smoothest, most refined way possible, is the Explorer a better choice than the 2017 Honda Pilot?

Read full comparison »

Pricing

Invoice Price

$32,626

$30,338

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$33,810

$33,180

Monthly Payment Estimate

$564 / month

$553 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.7

Read Our Full Review

7.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2017 Ford Explorer adds a sport appearance package and Sync 3, both of which are important to today's SUV buyers.

The 2017 Honda Pilot is a capable, refined crossover SUV with all the goodness of a minivan, save for the sliding doors.

TCC Likes

A nicely executed do-it-all
Excellent ride and handling for an SUV
Fuel-efficient—on paper

The boxy look's been banished
Lavish new interior light-years ahead of the old
Better seats, better cargo space

TCC Dislikes

... but Sync 3 still has issues
Real-world mileage question
Platinum prices are in line with luxury vehicles

Maybe not as distinctive in styling
9-speed automatic can get confused
Blind-spot monitors only on most expensive model

Fuel Economy

City

16 mpg

19 mpg

Highway

23 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD

Interior Dimensions

Front Leg Room (in)

42.9

40.9

Third Head Room (in)

37.8

38.9

Front Hip Room (in)

57.3

59.1

Third Shoulder Room (in)

50.8

57.6

Second Leg Room (in)

39.5

38.4

Passenger Capacity

Front Head Room (in)

41.4

40.1

Second Hip Room (in)

56.8

57.3

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.5

Third Leg Room (in)

31.9

Second Head Room (in)

40.6

40.2

Third Hip Room (in)

40.7

44.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

Passenger Volume (ft³)

151.7

152.9

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.3

Length, Overall (in)

198.3

194.5

Height, Overall (in)

69.8

Track Width, Rear (in)

66.3

Wheelbase (in)

112.8

111

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.9

78.6

Track Width, Front (in)

66.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

43.8

46.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

80.7

83.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

16.5

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8

12.6

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.6

19.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.9

39.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P245/60HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P245/60HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

2000

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4629

4074

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

18 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

18 X 8

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

540

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

175

Engine

Displacement

3.5 L/213

3.5 L/212

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

290 @ 6500

280 @ 6000

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Sequential MPI

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

255 @ 4000

262 @ 4700

Engine Order Code

998-1

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.65

4.25

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.84

1.49

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.75

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.88

2.27

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.87

2.10

Trans Order Code

44J

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.41

1.06

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.74

0.56

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.48

3.36

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Explorer

Honda Pilot

Body Style

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

9.3

8.0

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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