2026 Ford Explorer vs. Honda Pilot: A Head-to-Head Comparison
Choosing the right three-row SUV comes down to the details, and both the 2026 Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot are solid options. When put head to head, the Ford Explorer answers with more horsepower, more torque, a broader engine lineup, and deeper driver-assistance technology. If you want a family SUV that leads on capability, visit Ford of Cookeville.
Performance: More Power in Every Configuration
The 2026 Ford Explorer starts strong and climbs higher. Its standard 2.3L EcoBoost® turbocharged four-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the available 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 surges to 385 horsepower and 415 lb-ft, backed by a 10-speed automatic and a Terrain Management System with up to six drive modes. The Honda Pilot offers a single 3.5L V6 across its lineup, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. Even the base Ford Explorer tops it by 15 horsepower and 48 lb-ft, and the Honda Pilot has no answer for the 400-horsepower V6.
Safety: Hands-Free Support
Every Ford Explorer includes the Ford Co-Pilot360® suite. Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking can brake on its own when a collision threatens, useful in stop-and-go Cookeville traffic. The Blind Spot Information System flags vehicles outside your mirrors, and the Lane-Keeping System steers you back to center if you drift. The Explorer goes further with available BlueCruise® hands-free highway driving, now with Automatic Lane Change. Honda equips every Pilot with Honda Sensing®, but it doesn’t offer any comparable hands-free system. The layered, hands-free-capable protection behind this new Ford SUV gives it the clear edge.
Technology: A More Connected Cabin
The Ford Explorer surrounds you with family-friendly technology. The SYNC® system anchors a large touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, an available Wi-Fi® hotspot keeps passengers online, and an available Bang & Olufsen® premium sound system fills the cabin with rich audio. The Pilot counters with smartphone connectivity, but it can’t match the premium sound system available in the 2026 Ford Explorer.
Test-Drive the 2026 Ford Explorer in Cookeville, TN
The new Ford Explorer gives families more of what matters. It’s roomy, capable, and gives you more than the Honda Pilot on horsepower, torque, engine choice, and hands-free tech. Schedule your test drive at our Cookeville, TN Ford dealership. Explore Ford financing options during your visit to take one home!