2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Honda Pilot

Posted on November 4, 2021

Three-row SUVs have grown in popularity over the past decade, providing larger families with many more options than the standard minivan. They offer style, substance, and seating in a way that minivans cannot. Ford and Honda are leading automobile manufacturers who both offer a great option for a three-row SUV--the 2021 Ford Explorer and the 2021 Honda Pilot.

These two vehicles offer similar size, features, and space to families and individuals that want a vehicle that can do it all with style and grace. With so many similar features, it would be easy to assume that they would rank fairly evenly, but Ford's focus on continual improvement takes the prize in this head-to-head competition.

2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer is the manufacturer's bread-and-butter mid-size three-row SUV. With plenty of room for passengers and cargo, it is equipped with many of the connectivity and safety features that buyers need and want. The 2021 Ford Explorer is offered for sale across Canada in five model versions: XLT, Timberline, Limited, ST, and Platinum.

Starting at $44,669, the Explorer provides great value and instills confidence in its drivers. The interior is filled with comfortable amenities and forward-thinking technology while driver-assist systems abound, such as forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist.

Ford offers several different powertrains for its 2021 Explorer SUV to meet the needs of drivers. The standard engine is a 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder that provides more than enough power for most drivers. The Platinum model upgrades to a 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, and the sporty ST uses a 400-hp version of the same engine. The Explorer Limited is also available with a hybrid powertrain for more environmentally conscious drivers.

2021 Honda Pilot

Starting at $42,905, the 2021 Honda Pilot is offered in six model versions across Canada: LX, EX, EX-L Navi, Touring 8P, Touring 7P, and Black Edition. It is a trendy alternative to a minivan, but the Pilot's third row is limited on space, and its design is getting a little long in the tooth. However, it does offer a sound driving experience with ample cargo space and plenty of room for passengers in the front two rows.

Every model of the Pilot is built with a 3.5-litre V engine that delivers 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and while it offers a solid driving experience, its considerable size can feel heavy when cornering, and it does not accelerate as well as other SUVs with more horsepower behind them.