As SUVs continue to grow in popularity, car manufacturers are rolling out updated models to stay ahead of the curve. Two prime contenders in the midsize SUV segment are the 2023 Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. Both vehicles have garnered considerable attention for their style, performance, and family-friendly features.
In this comparison, we’ll dive into the details of each SUV, comparing their exterior design, interior design, seating, storage, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, trim levels, and pricing to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Exterior Design:
The 2023 Ford Explorer boasts a bold, modern exterior, characterized by sharp lines and aggressive angles. A prominent grille, sculpted hood, and distinctive LED headlights make the Explorer stand out. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, has a more subdued and classic design. With a smooth and curvy body, it takes on a somewhat understated elegance compared to the Explorer.
Interior Design:
Inside, both the Explorer and Pilot offer comfortable and stylish cabins, featuring high-quality materials and intuitive designs. The Ford Explorer’s dashboard is dominated by a vertically-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, giving the interior a futuristic feel. The Honda Pilot opts for a more traditional horizontal layout, but the infotainment system is equally user-friendly and well-integrated.
Seating:
When it comes to seating, both the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot provide ample space for up to eight passengers. The Explorer offers comfortable and supportive seating, with optional upgrades such as leather upholstery and heated seats. The Pilot also provides a pleasant experience for occupants, with available upgrades like perforated leather-trimmed seats and heated and ventilated front seats.
Storage:
Both SUVs deliver practical storage solutions for busy families. The 2023 Ford Explorer offers 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded down. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, provides slightly less space, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 83.9 cubic feet when all rear seats are down.
Performance:
Under the hood, the 2023 Ford Explorer comes standard with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, an optional 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 400 horsepower is available. The Honda Pilot is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Both SUVs offer optional all-wheel-drive systems, providing increased traction and stability in various driving conditions.
Fuel Efficiency:
Fuel efficiency is an important factor to consider for many buyers. The Ford Explorer achieves an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Honda Pilot, meanwhile, boasts a similar fuel economy with 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Both the 2023 Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot come standard with a suite of advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 and Honda Sensing offer comprehensive driver assistance technologies, ensuring a high level of safety for both vehicles.
Trim Levels:
The 2023 Ford Explorer is available in five different trim levels: Base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum. Each trim offers a range of standard and optional features, catering to different budgets and preferences. The Honda Pilot also comes in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Similar to the Explorer, the Pilot offers a variety of features and amenities across its trim levels to accommodate various needs and budgets.
Pricing:
When it comes to pricing, the 2023 Ford Explorer starts at an MSRP of $33,100 for the Base trim, while the range-topping Platinum trim starts at $54,740. The Honda Pilot has a slightly lower starting price, with the base LX trim starting at $32,250, and the top-of-the-line Elite trim beginning at $48,720.
Key Differences:
Exterior Design:
The Ford Explorer features a bolder and more aggressive design with sharp lines and prominent features like the large grille and sculpted hood. The Honda Pilot has a more subdued, classic appearance, characterized by its smooth curves and understated elegance.
Interior Design:
While both SUVs offer comfortable and stylish interiors, the Ford Explorer comes with a vertically-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, giving the cabin a more futuristic appearance. The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, has a traditional horizontal infotainment system layout, but both are user-friendly and well-integrated.
Performance:
The Ford Explorer has a more powerful standard engine, offering a 2.3-liter EcoBoost with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 400 horsepower. The Honda Pilot comes with a single engine option – a 3.5-liter V6 generating 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
Cargo Space:
The Ford Explorer offers slightly more cargo space than the Honda Pilot. The Explorer provides 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded down. The Pilot, in contrast, has 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 83.9 cubic feet when all rear seats are down.
Fuel Efficiency:
While fuel efficiency is fairly similar for both vehicles, the Ford Explorer has a slight edge, achieving 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Honda Pilot gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Pricing:
The Ford Explorer has a slightly higher starting price at $33,100 for the Base trim, compared to the Honda Pilot’s base LX trim starting at $32,250. Additionally, the range-topping Explorer Platinum trim is more expensive than the Pilot Elite trim, with prices of $54,740 and $48,720, respectively.
Final Thoughts:
The 2023 Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot each bring their own distinct attributes to the midsize SUV market, showcasing a perfect balance between style, comfort, and utility. While the Explorer boasts a bolder design and more powerful engine options, the Pilot offers a classic look and a slightly lower starting price. Both vehicles deliver ample seating and storage capacity, with the Explorer taking the lead in cargo space. Safety features and trim levels are similarly impressive for both models, making them attractive choices for families and adventurers alike.
As you weigh the pros and cons of each vehicle, keep in mind that the best choice will depend on your personal preferences, priorities, and budget. With a focus on your unique needs, you’ll be well-equipped to decide whether the aggressive, powerful Ford Explorer or the understated, classic Honda Pilot is the right SUV for you. No matter which option you ultimately choose, both vehicles offer an outstanding combination of features and performance that will enhance your driving experience.
Features Breakdown
2023 Ford Explorer Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design:
- Bold, modern styling
- Sharp lines and aggressive angles
- Prominent grille and sculpted hood
- Distinctive LED headlights
- Interior Design:
- Comfortable and stylish cabin
- High-quality materials
- Vertically-oriented touchscreen infotainment system
- Seating:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Comfortable and supportive seats
- Optional leather upholstery and heated seats
- Storage:
- 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row
- 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded
- 87.8 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded down
- Performance:
- Standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque
- Optional 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 400 horsepower
- Available all-wheel-drive system
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway
- Safety:
- Ford Co-Pilot360 advanced safety suite
- Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control
- Trim Levels:
- Base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum
- Pricing:
- Starts at $33,100 for the Base trim
- Up to $54,740 for the Platinum trim
2023 Honda Pilot Features Breakdown:
- Exterior Design:
- Subdued and classic design
- Smooth and curvy body
- Interior Design:
- Comfortable and stylish cabin
- High-quality materials
- Horizontal touchscreen infotainment system layout
- Seating:
- Seating for up to eight passengers
- Available perforated leather-trimmed seats
- Optional heated and ventilated front seats
- Storage:
- 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row
- 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded
- 83.9 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded down
- Performance:
- 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque
- Available all-wheel-drive system
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway
- Safety:
- Honda Sensing advanced safety suite
- Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control
- Trim Levels:
- LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite
- Pricing:
- Starts at $32,250 for the LX trim
- Up to $48,720 for the Elite trim
