Ford Expedition vs Honda Pilot

The 2025 Ford Expedition presented a robust and functional design, reminiscent of a modern school bus but with a more attractive aesthetic. Its form-over-function ethos was evident in its slab sides and rectilinear silhouette, ensuring ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The Expedition's styling was not neglected, featuring horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights framing a bold grille, integrated headlights, and off-roading lamps on the Tremor trim. The vehicle's profile was simple, with a distinct character line and a range of wheel designs. A significant change for 2025 was the introduction of a split-gate tailgate, offering practical benefits such as preventing luggage spillage and providing a resting spot when parked. The Expedition was available in four trim levels and two lengths, with the MAX version offering more cargo space. The King Ranch trim boasted luxurious materials, while the Active trim impressed with its standard features like tri-zone climate control and a 24-inch panoramic driver information display. The interior design was minimalist, with a futuristic and button-light layout.

The 2026 Honda Pilot underwent a makeover, adopting a more truck-like appearance with a larger, blockier grille and standard roof rails for a utilitarian style. The rear bumper mirrored the front's scuff plate, maintaining the rugged design direction introduced three years prior. Inside, the Pilot retained its familiar layout but with notable upgrades, including larger infotainment and digital instrument panels. The top trims featured unique diamond quilting in synthetic suede, with contrasting stitching and a new trim element on the center console and door panels. The Pilot's interior remained practical and tastefully designed, meeting or exceeding class expectations in material quality and construction.

The 2025 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Tremor trim featured a high-output version, boosting power to 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Despite its 5,794-pound curb weight, the Expedition's powertrain excelled on highways, offering a comfortable and quiet ride. The ten-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the multi-link rear suspension handled rough terrain well. The Tremor trim replaced the Timberline, offering increased ground clearance and improved off-road capabilities. However, the Expedition's fuel economy was poor, with 2WD models rated at 16 mpg city and 18 combined, while 4WD models fared worse. In contrast, competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe offered better fuel efficiency with a diesel engine.

The 2026 Honda Pilot retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Pilot's acceleration was adequate, and the V6 engine provided a confident sound. The steering was revised for improved feedback and stability, addressing previous issues with vagueness. The Pilot handled curves confidently but didn't feel sporty, maintaining its family SUV character.

The 2025 Ford Expedition excelled in towing capacity, with a maximum of 9,600 pounds, surpassing competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe. Inside, the Expedition offered ample cargo space, with 21.6 cubic feet behind the third row in the standard model, expanding to 36.1 in the Expedition Max. With all rear seats down, the Expedition provided up to 123.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior featured a minimalist design, with touch-sensitive trackpads and touchscreen controls for various functions.

The 2026 Honda Pilot's cabin remained spacious and versatile, with a removable second-row center seat for flexibility. The seats offered ample legroom and comfort, with easy access to the third row. The Pilot provided 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 112.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior featured generous storage options, including a long tray and a giant center armrest bin.

The 2025 Ford Expedition featured a groundbreaking 24-inch driver information display, offering ample space for Google Maps projection and customizable widgets. The 13.2-inch touchscreen display used a Google-based operating system, requiring an active cellular data plan for full functionality. The Ford Connectivity Package offered a year of complimentary access, with subscription options available.

The 2026 Honda Pilot upgraded to a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel. The system was quick to respond and easy to use, with customizable shortcuts. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though the wireless phone charger required an upgrade to the EX-L trim. The Pilot retained unique features like multiple camera angles and the Cabin Talk intercom system.

The 2025 Ford Expedition had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, and the IIHS ratings were based on a previous-generation model. However, it came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. BlueCruise 1.4 was available on select trims, offering hands-free driving capabilities.

The 2026 Honda Pilot had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing, but the 2025 model received high scores. The Pilot included the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, with additional features on higher trims. The safety features generally worked well, though the forward collision warning was slightly sensitive.