2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned for the 2018 model year, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a practical choice for long-term ownership. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test SUV looked impressive, though the taillight shape and the body-colored roof C-pillar were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch cattle-brand logos, which sparked mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance reliability, safety, comfort, and performance with its design. The 2019 refresh and the 2020 Black Edition added a rugged and blacked-out look, respectively, but the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices from $32,250 to $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where it was standard. The new Special Edition trim for 2021 added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition, fully loaded with a $395 Platinum White Pearl paint job, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, though the black mats were a hassle to clean.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered power to the rear wheels or an optional four-wheel-drive system. The Expedition had a ground clearance of 9.8 inches (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities of 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The driving experience was generally pleasant, with the engine providing ample power and the 10-speed automatic ensuring smooth gear shifts. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim helped manage ride motions, though the 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect roads. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality and interior space, a design now adopted by competitors like the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, and the GMC Yukon. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission, powered the front wheels or an available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot's AWD system could direct up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. Fuel-saving technologies included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. The test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension provided a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch's power running boards made entry easy, and the heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, ensured comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated and provided first-class accommodations, with easy access to the third-row bench. The third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with the second row down. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample room for a family, seating up to eight people with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable, though the front passenger seat had only four-way adjustment. Second-row captain’s chairs, standard on Elite and Black Edition trims, were nearly as comfortable as the front seats and slid forward for easier third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The power tailgate, standard from the EX-L trim, revealed 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which, while easy to use, was slow to load and respond. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. The rear-seat entertainment system had dual screens in the front headrests, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist was a notable feature for those who frequently towed trailers.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. The Touring trim also featured a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature for easier communication with rear-seat passengers.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ADAS worked well, though the lane departure warning vibration was sometimes hard to distinguish from road surface vibrations. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included Honda Sensing as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, it also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The older version of Honda Sensing worked but lacked refinement. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and "good" ratings from IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection and standard headlights.