2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling characteristic of the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. The subtle uptick in the belt-line around the rear side windows masked the size of the Pilot, giving it a more svelte appearance. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog fuel and engine-temperature gauges with a digital screen for other information. The cabin felt comfortable and spacious, though it used hard plastics in many areas, making it less upscale compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a striking family resemblance to other Ford SUVs, with sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages. Depending on the trim, the Explorer featured various grille designs, from black to full chrome. Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model. The dash was clean, with familiar gauges and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen dominating the center stack. The center console housed a rotary gearshift, freeing up space for storage. The XLT trim, the most popular, provided better equipment like a power front passenger seat and nicer finishes.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This power was sent to the front wheels or available all-wheel drive through a 6-speed automatic transmission on the LX, EX, and EX-L trims, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition received a 9-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided stout acceleration, making it easy to move from a standstill or pass on the highway. The Pilot's ride was refined and comfortable, designed for easy commutes and relaxing road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its real-world driving capabilities.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming some rivals. The Explorer Limited Hybrid offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with the sport-oriented Explorer ST offering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing power, capable of towing between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher offered one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to its rivals. The Pilot had plenty of spaces for family gear, and higher trims offered a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate.

The 2021 Ford Explorer had seating for seven in the base trim, with captain’s chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing capacity to six. The Explorer offered 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, ahead of some rivals but behind others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, but overall cargo volume with the rear seats folded was 81 cubic feet, less than some competitors.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen with a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. Other trims had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's layout was confusing, lacking a tuning knob and relying heavily on the touchscreen. Higher trims offered navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 590-watt, 10-speaker premium audio system. The Elite and Black Edition trims included a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system. The Limited trim added a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and HD radio. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and up to 14 speakers in the B&O sound system. The Explorer provided multiple charging options, including USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and the best crash test score of Good from the IIHS. Optional safety features included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores on all crash tests and an Acceptable rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's base trim included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, such as auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.