When families compare 2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Ford Explorer, the differences come into focus quickly. Both are reputable three-row SUVs, yet the Pilot’s thoughtful packaging, standard safety tech, and available adventure hardware give it a meaningful edge for daily driving and weekend getaways alike. You’ll notice it in the details: seating for up to eight with a clever stowable second-row center seat, the confidence of i-VTM4® torque-vectoring AWD, and a panoramic moonroof on the adventure-ready TrailSport. Meanwhile, the Explorer offers strong capability with a choice of powertrains and available driver-assistance features. At Vern Eide Honda, we focus on the product we know best, and we’re proud to offer a full lineup of Pilot trims and accessories to match how you drive in Sioux Falls, SD. From school runs to cross-state trips, the Pilot prioritizes comfort, versatility, and peace of mind. Add in intuitive tech like Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, and the Multiview Camera System on TrailSport and above, and you have a family SUV that’s easy to live with today and ready for tomorrow’s adventures.
| Feature | (2026) Honda Pilot | (2026) Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Seating for up to 8 | Yes | No |
| Cargo capacity up to 113.7 cu ft | Yes | No |
| Google built-in | Yes | No |
| i-VTM4® torque-vectoring AWD (available/standard by trim) | Yes | No |
| TrailWatch™ multiview camera system | Yes | No |
| Stowable 2nd-row center seat | Yes | No |
| Hands-free access power tailgate with Walk Away Close | Yes | No |
| Head-Up Display | Yes | No |
| CabinTalk® in-car PA system | Yes | No |
| Towing capacity up to 5,000 lb | Yes | Yes |
Pilot’s exterior wears a confident, upright look that pairs a rugged mesh grille with strong body lines and available 20-inch alloy wheels for a planted stance. The TrailSport trim takes it further with an off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, recovery points, integrated Class III trailer hitch, and steel skid plates that protect the engine and fuel tank. A panoramic moonroof is standard on TrailSport and above, flooding the cabin with daylight and making South Dakota sunsets a little more memorable. The Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate with Walk Away Close (Touring and above) is one of those features you never knew you needed until you use it, especially when your arms are full after a grocery run or youth sports practice. LED headlights and LED fog lights are standard across the lineup for crisp visibility. The Explorer presents attractive choices too, including the Tremor model with off-road tuned suspension, front and rear deflector plates, and a Torsen® limited-slip rear axle. It looks the part and brings functional upgrades, though the details—like Walk Away Close and TrailWatch™—underscore the Pilot’s focus on everyday usability and real-world trail readiness.
Inside, Pilot treats passengers to a cabin that combines everyday practicality with higher-end touches. Available leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats on upper trims create a calm, composed environment. Families love the available stowable 2nd-row center seat on EX-L and above, which lets you choose eight-passenger seating during the week and open up the second row for captain’s-chair comfort on a road trip. Tri-Zone Climate Control keeps the temperature dialed in for all three rows, while available features like a Bose premium sound system and a Head-Up Display (on Elite and Black Edition) make longer drives more engaging and less tiring. TrailSport adds durable synthetic leather with striking orange stitching and standard all-season floor mats that are easy to clean after a day on the trails. Handy touches include one-touch 2nd-row seats for quick third-row access, a hidden storage well, and up to 113.7 cubic feet of cargo space when you need to haul serious gear. The Explorer counters with available seating for up to seven, an available B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen®, and an available panoramic fixed glass roof, but it can’t match the Pilot’s eight-seat flexibility or cargo max.
Underneath, the Pilot is engineered for confidence. The fully independent suspension and reinforced body structure aim for that elusive sweet spot where the ride stays composed without feeling harsh. Available i-VTM4® AWD goes a step beyond typical systems by actively distributing torque between the rear wheels, which helps the vehicle rotate predictably in a corner, pull confidently onto a snowy side street, and grip uneven two-tracks with less wheelspin. Depending on trim, you get up to seven drive modes—Normal, ECON, Sport, Snow, Trail, Sand, and Tow—so you can dial in traction and response to suit the day. TrailSport-specific tuning adds ground clearance and Trail Torque Logic for better control when the surface turns loose. The Explorer starts with a rear-wheel-drive architecture and offers available Intelligent 4WD; Tremor adds hardware like the Torsen® limited-slip rear axle for better grip. That’s capable gear, but torque vectoring remains a Pilot highlight drivers notice on slushy on-ramps and sweeping on-ramps along I-29 and I-90 in Sioux Falls, SD, where composure and predictability count.
Pilot’s standard 285-hp V-6 pairs with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and delivers confident, linear response around town and on the highway. The combination is tuned to feel relaxed in normal driving, with enough reserve to merge decisively or pass slower traffic with ease. Towing up to 5,000 pounds is available across the lineup when properly equipped, so bringing a pair of ATVs or a small camper is squarely in the Pilot’s wheelhouse. The Explorer counters with a lineup that starts with a 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 and offers an available 3.0L EcoBoost® V-6 on select models; maximum available horsepower reaches 400 on performance-focused trims. That’s impressive, but for most families, the Pilot’s smooth V-6, wide-ratio 10-speed, and consistent tow-friendly character are more relevant day to day. Hill Descent Control is standard in Pilot, providing extra assurance on steep grades when you’re headed down a gravel driveway or a rutted forest approach road. Taken together, Pilot’s powertrain feels thoughtfully calibrated for both the school week and the weekend—with less fuss, more refinement, and confident capability baked in.
Every Pilot includes the Honda Sensing® suite of driver-assistance features. Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, and Traffic Sign Recognition work in the background to help reduce stress and support your awareness. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure is another Honda hallmark designed to distribute crash energy more evenly. Available tech pushes the envelope further: a Multiview Camera System is standard on TrailSport and above, and TrailWatch™ uses cameras to help you spot obstacles at low speeds. Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor, parking sensors, and a Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines bolster confidence in tight parking lots. On the Explorer side, Ford Co-Pilot360® brings its own suite of assists, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is available on certain trims. Both SUVs are safety-forward, but Pilot’s standardization of core features, unique ACE™ body design, and off-road-focused camera technology make a compelling case. At Vern Eide Honda, we take pride in guiding shoppers through these systems so you leave with tech you understand and trust.
Our customers often say Pilot simply fits the rhythm of family life better—more space, smarter storage, and confidence that shows up when the road gets messy or the schedule gets tight. From carpool to camping, it’s engineered to reduce friction and add calm, without sacrificing capability. We also see a steady stream of shoppers from Rapid City and Aberdeen who want big-SUV practicality without the learning curve. Here are the highlights that resonate most:
If you want a three-row SUV that meets the moment every day, our recommendation is the Pilot—purposefully equipped for life in Sioux Falls, SD.
As a head-to-head, 2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Ford Explorer is a close contest on paper, but the way these vehicles make you feel day to day is where Pilot pulls ahead. Smart seating for up to eight, i-VTM4® torque-vectoring AWD, up to 113.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and helpful touches like CabinTalk® and Walk Away Close create a family SUV that’s quietly capable and remarkably convenient. Explorer brings strong credentials—multiple powertrains, an off-road-focused Tremor model, and available driver-assist upgrades—but Pilot’s combination of standard safety, intuitive tech, and real-world versatility is hard to beat. At Vern Eide Honda, our team knows the questions that matter and the routes you drive in Sioux Falls, SD, and we’ll help you match trims and accessories to your lifestyle. If your next SUV needs to juggle commuting, school, sports, and the occasional escape with equal poise, the Pilot belongs at the top of your list. We’re here to help you take a confident test drive and make an informed decision that feels right the first time.
