2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a variety of models, ranging in price from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding a $1,495 destination charge. Last year's lineup expansion included the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, whereas the 2022 model introduced the sporty Explorer ST-Line, elevating the XLT version's appeal.

Our test vehicle was the Explorer King Ranch, equipped with 4WD, Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, bringing its MSRP to $59,880, including the destination charge. Despite the King Ranch's distinct emblems, 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, its visual differentiation from other Explorer models remained subtle. However, the Ford Explorer's design, based on a rear-drive platform, featured a long and tall hood, short front overhang, rakish roofline, and a tapering greenhouse, creating a taut and athletic look. Blacked-out roof pillars, save for those behind the back doors, provided a popular "floating roof" visual effect.

Inside, the Explorer King Ranch boasted exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding on the seats and center armrest pad. The interior was color-coordinated in chocolate brown and caramel, with no alternative options. Though the quality of materials in the King Ranch's cabin was generally commendable, some elements hinted at the base trim of the Explorer, which was less impressive given its near $60,000 price point.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a full redesign with a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its upright grille and boxier styling not only made it look bigger but also made it 3.4 inches longer, up to 1.5 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller than the previous model. These changes complemented the all-terrain TrailSport model, which added off-road parts like a one-inch taller ride height, 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates that supported the vehicle's entire weight.

The interior of the new Pilot took on a more conventional styling route, retaining attractiveness and increasing functionality and versatility. Materials quality met class expectations, which had been elevated by formidable rivals in recent years. Overall, the 2023 Pilot emphasized function over form without compromising on aesthetics.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered several powertrain options. Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with RWD standard and 4WD available. This engine offered up to 24 mpg in combined driving and a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds.

The Explorer Limited had an option for an efficient hybrid powertrain, based on a 3.3-liter V6 engine, generating a combined 318 hp and 322 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid setup offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and up to 27 mpg in combined driving, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in RWD or 4WD.

For those prioritizing acceleration and towing capacity, the Explorer had a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, standard in ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, generating 400 hp and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available RWD or 4WD, providing a maximum towing capacity of 5,600 pounds and up to 21 mpg in combined driving. Our King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg.

The Explorer's ride felt robust, less skittish over bumps and suitable for moderate off-roading with its Trail setting and 7.9 inches of ground clearance. Its athletic nature translated well in daily driving, though sport-tuned Explorer ST with its High-Performance option package offered the most engaging drive among Explorers.

The 2023 Honda Pilot featured an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 hp and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and AWD available on all trims. AWD was standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot's acceleration was brisk and the engine offered a pleasant hum when pushed hard. The brake pedal was soft, appropriate for a family SUV, providing smooth stops.

The Pilot's cornering was confident but not sporty, with body roll present but controlled. The suspension was tuned for comfort, making it a great choice for family duties. Steering was light, especially on the highway, giving a somewhat vague and detached feeling akin to a video game.

The TrailSport trim offered an inch more ground clearance and all-terrain tires, adding a subtle vibration on pavements but offering a go-anywhere attitude without sacrificing on-road comfort.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided ample comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with the second-row bench seat. However, its rear-drive platform and tapered design made the third-row seat suitable primarily for children. The King Ranch trim included features such as triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs.

The front seats, offering massage function, were exceptionally comfortable for long drives, while the second-row seats were almost as accommodating. However, the third-row seat was difficult to access for adults and uncomfortable for them due to its low cushion and limited legroom.

Practical storage within the cabin could have been better, with the Explorer lacking pockets, shelves, cubbies, and hooks. The test vehicle's hands-free power liftgate provided 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Folding the 50/50-split, power-folding third-row seats created 47.9 cubic feet of space, and fully folded rear seats offered 87.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

The 2023 Honda Pilot featured a more conventional interior design with a practical dash shelf, abandoning the horizontal mesh dash trim seen in the new CR-V, Civic, and Accord. The entry-level LX and Sport trims had a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Pilot's controls for climate and drive modes were logically placed, with ample storage, including a large rubberized shelf, large cupholders, and a wide center console bin.

The standout feature for the Pilot was the stowable second-row center seat, providing flexibility for third-row access. The second row offered generous space for adults over six feet tall, while the third row, with less thigh support, accommodated average-sized adults for short trips. The Pilot provided 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded, and a maximum of 114.3 cubic feet, notably more than the Explorer.

The 2022 Ford Explorer featured two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system: an eight-inch horizontally mounted touchscreen and a 10.1-inch portrait-style touchscreen. While the smaller screen was well integrated, the larger one seemed like an afterthought. The system included FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The King Ranch trim added wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system.

However, Sync 3's voice recognition system struggled with accuracy, often failing to recognize destinations and requiring repeated attempts to locate points of interest. The King Ranch also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and Active Park Assist 2.0, with an available rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim and above offered a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims added a multi-view camera system, head-up display, and a fully digital instrument panel. The system was responsive, with a logical layout and large on-screen buttons, prioritizing functionality.

The Touring and Elite trims included Honda’s CabinTalk PA system, navigation, Bose premium audio, remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, and a WiFi hotspot. The TrailSport and Elite trims added the TrailWatch multi-view camera system for off-roading awareness.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ safety rating from the IIHS for all trim levels. The NHTSA had not released complete crash-test ratings for 2022, but the previous year's model had earned five-star ratings except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360 with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The King Ranch trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.

The system operated smoothly, although it sometimes gave unwarranted warnings to hold the steering wheel. The adaptive cruise control could brake excessively when vehicles entered the space ahead but accelerated smoothly when the road cleared. The lane-centering assist system had occasional disengagements on sharp curves but performed well in managing complex traffic situations.

The 2023 Honda Pilot had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA yet, but Honda expected top scores. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating. Standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. The EX-L and higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and front and rear parking sensors. TrailSport and Elite trims featured surround-view and multi-view camera systems.

The safety systems performed efficiently, providing no false alarms and smooth adaptive cruise control. Some proximity warnings and low-speed automatic braking needed disabling for off-roading to prevent unwanted alerts.