2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 Ford Explorer

#3 in Large SUVs

2020 Honda Pilot

2020 Toyota Highlander

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Select style

Base 4WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD	20	27	$33,721	$34,765
Explorer Base RWD	21	28	$31,781	$32,765
Explorer Limited 4WD	20	27	$48,366	$50,380
Explorer Limited RWD	21	28	$46,446	$48,380
Explorer Platinum 4WD	18	24	$55,920	$58,250
Explorer ST 4WD	18	24	$52,551	$54,740
Explorer XLT 4WD	20	27	$37,369	$38,925
Explorer XLT RWD	21	28	$35,449	$36,925

Select style

Black Edition AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Pilot Black Edition AWD	19	26	$45,424	$49,720
Pilot EX 2WD	19	27	$31,569	$34,530
Pilot EX AWD	18	26	$33,394	$36,530
Pilot EX-L 2WD	19	27	$34,698	$37,960
Pilot EX-L AWD	18	26	$36,522	$39,960
Pilot EX-L w/Navi & RES 2WD	19	27	$36,522	$39,960
Pilot EX-L w/Navi & RES AWD	18	26	$38,346	$41,960
Pilot Elite AWD	19	26	$44,056	$48,220
Pilot LX 2WD	19	27	$28,943	$31,650
Pilot LX AWD	18	26	$30,767	$33,650
Pilot Touring 7-Passenger 2WD	20	27	$39,313	$43,020
Pilot Touring 7-Passenger AWD	19	26	$41,137	$45,020
Pilot Touring 8-Passenger 2WD	20	27	$39,039	$42,720
Pilot Touring 8-Passenger AWD	19	26	$40,864	$44,720

Select style

Hybrid LE AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Highlander Hybrid LE AWD	35	35	$36,489	$39,800
Highlander Hybrid LE FWD	36	35	$35,022	$38,200
Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD	35	34	$43,090	$47,000
Highlander Hybrid Limited FWD	36	35	$41,302	$45,050
Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD	35	34	$46,025	$50,200
Highlander Hybrid Platinum FWD	36	35	$44,237	$48,250
Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD	35	34	$39,056	$42,600
Highlander Hybrid XLE FWD	36	35	$37,589	$41,000
Highlander L AWD	20	27	$33,050	$36,200
Highlander L FWD	21	29	$31,589	$34,600
Highlander LE AWD	20	27	$35,059	$38,400
Highlander LE FWD	20	28	$33,598	$36,800
Highlander Limited AWD	20	27	$41,633	$45,600
Highlander Limited FWD	21	29	$39,853	$43,650
Highlander Platinum AWD	20	27	$44,555	$48,800
Highlander Platinum FWD	21	29	$42,775	$46,850
Highlander XLE AWD	20	27	$37,616	$41,200
Highlander XLE FWD	21	29	$36,155	$39,600

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$33,721

$45,424

$36,489

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$34,765

$49,720

$39,800

Monthly Payment Estimate

$579 / month

$829 / month

$663 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.3

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2020 Ford Explorer rediscovers its capable, outdoorsy side without becoming trucklike in any other respect.

The 2020 Honda Pilot is a three-row family crossover at the top of its class.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander puts practicality above all else, but handling and styling make worthwhile cameos.

TCC Likes

Great ride and handling
Attractive profile, styling
Soft, nicely detailed cabin

Handsome looks
Good seats all the way around
Comfortable power

Spacious interior
High-mpg hybrid
Upgraded infotainment

TCC Dislikes

Cramped third row
Sluggish/drab infotainment
Hybrid emphasizes capability, not mpg

Base model skimp on features
Too conservative?
9-speed isn’t much more fuel-efficient

Busy styling
Rivals’ turbos may be faster
Stiff competition

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

19 mpg

35 mpg

Highway

27 mpg

26 mpg

35 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Third Leg Room (in)

32.2

31.9

27.7

Second Head Room (in)

40.5

40.9

39.4

Third Hip Room (in)

40.9

44.6

45.6

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

61.9

58.7

Front Leg Room (in)

40.9

40.4

Third Head Room (in)

38.9

36.1

Front Hip Room (in)

59.2

59.1

57.2

Third Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

57.6

Second Leg Room (in)

38.4

Front Head Room (in)

40.7

39.5

39.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

152.7

153.1

141.3

Second Hip Room (in)

59.1

57.3

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.8

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.9

78.6

Track Width, Front (in)

66.9

66.3

65.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

7.9

Length, Overall (in)

198.8

196.5

194.9

Liftover Height (in)

32.8

Height, Overall (in)

69.9

70.6

68.1

Track Width, Rear (in)

66.9

66.3

65.4

Wheelbase (in)

119.1

111

112.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

83.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

87.8

82.1

84.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

20.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

18.2

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

48.1

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

49.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

47.9

48.4

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

33.7

Brakes

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.3

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

13.3

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

19.2

19.5

17.1

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

39.4

37.4

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P245/50HR20

P235/65SR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P245/50HR20

P235/65SR18

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

3500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4345

4319

4465

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

20 X 8

18 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

20 X 8

18 X 8

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

300 @ 5500

280 @ 6000

243 @ 6000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Regular Unleaded V-6

Gas/Electric I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310 @ 3500

262 @ 4700

175 @ 4400

Engine Order Code

99H

Displacement

2.3 L/140

3.5 L/212

2.5 L/152

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.52

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

4.88

3.83

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.00

2.84

Trans Order Code

44T

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.77

1.38

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

0.58

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.27

0.81

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.58

4.33

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.15

1.91

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.70

Trans Type

Summary

Body Style

Sport Utility

Vehicle Name

Ford Explorer

Honda Pilot

Toyota Highlander

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

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

7.7

8.0

5.1

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

2020 Ford Explorer

2020 Explorer redesigned and widely available
Factory rebate up to $2,750 for all buyers
Lease from $269 for 36 months
Get 0% APR for 72 months

Get Your Price

2020 Honda Pilot

2021 Honda Pilot is here
Up to $2,750 off (2020)
Financing: 0.9% APR (2020)
Lease: From $239/mo. (2020)

Get Your Price

2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 Highlander is in showrooms
Lease: From $399/mo.
Finance: 2.9% for 60 months
Rebate: Get $1,000 off

Get Your Price

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