2022 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000 on most trims. The new Special Edition trim added black 20-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, but its black floor mats were difficult to clean, especially for pet owners. The interior quality was high, but the design felt more like a minivan, which, combined with its exterior, did not enhance its appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition received significant updates, including a new grille, headlights, bumper, and redesigned wheels. The model lineup included XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, with prices from just over $55,000 to nearly $84,000. The new Timberline trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with 4WD, all-terrain tires, and additional off-roading tech. The Stealth Edition packages added black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, with the Stealth Performance Package offering red-painted brake calipers. The interior featured a redesigned dashboard with Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, a 12.4-inch digital instrumentation display, and optional massaging seats. The test vehicle, a Limited Stealth Edition, had a price of $80,155 and included several options, making it a luxurious yet expensive choice.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was smooth and responsive, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot offered a comfortable ride and athletic handling, thanks to its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. Fuel-saving features included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for AWD models. However, the Pilot's off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque (400 hp and 480 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel). The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD available. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg combined, with a towing capacity of 9,000 to 9,300 pounds. The Expedition's power was addictive, but it guzzled fuel, averaging 16.2 mpg during testing. The Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension provided a harsh ride, and the 22-inch wheels contributed to impact harshness. However, the Expedition was easy to park and excelled on the highway, offering a comfortable and quiet ride.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered seating for up to eight people, with comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were nearly as comfortable as the front seats and could slide forward for easier third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low and flat bottom cushion. The Pilot provided ample storage space, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet. Higher trims included a power tailgate with hands-free operation.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs offered plenty of legroom and their own climate controls. The third-row seat provided outstanding leg support but limited headroom for taller passengers. Cargo space measured 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo 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 both rear rows folded.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The rear-seat entertainment system in the Touring trim played DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and streaming audio apps. However, the infotainment system was considered adequate, with a small screen and limited voice-recognition capabilities.

The 2022 Ford Expedition introduced Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The standard Sync 4 system included a 12-inch touchscreen, while Sync 4A featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, and a connected navigation system. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems. Sync 4A had an upgraded voice-recognition system and an adaptive dashcard user interface. The Expedition also offered a dual-touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV. However, the Sync 4A system had some quirks, such as accidental activation of the defroster function and issues with Apple CarPlay.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had a blind-spot monitoring/rear cross-traffic warning system. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and high ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of safety features that included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The King Ranch and Platinum trims included a surround-view camera system and rear automatic emergency braking. The Expedition also offered BlueCruise hands-free driving technology and Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0. The adaptive cruise control was smooth and refined, but the lane-centering assist had some issues, such as steering the vehicle to the right side of the lane and issuing unnecessary warnings.