Honda Pilot vs Ford Explorer

[Challenger75]

Would like your input on a mid-sized American SUV. This would most likely be our minivan replacement (Town & Country).

Honda Pilot 3.5 V6 2.6M (With discounts up to 100k++)

Explorer 2.0 Ecoboost 2.445M
Explorer 3.5 V6 2.695M

The Ford Explorer is the newer of the two but is lower to the ground and there are some unresolved issues like the exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin among others. Also, which would be recommended between the 4-pot turbo and the traditional V6? Did not include the 3.5 Ecoboost since my father will be driving this most of the time. Ford reliability is also questionable.

The Pilot on the other hand is an older model but the classic, boxy SUV styling will most likely last. Ground clearance seems generous and 4wd may be useful in highway driving. Honda seems more reliable than the Blue Oval but have read of the VCM's excessive oil consumption. A newer model might be expected later next year also.

Was also considering the 3.2 Pajero but the space is an issue especially in the 3rd row and the brand does not ring well with the old man.

Our criteria are the ff in order: Reliability, Interior Space, Fuel Consumption (I know both are guzzlers but 1 or 2 km/l better is already a big diff). Will be keeping it for a long period of time (5-10 years). This will be also used on the highway a lot. Would appreciate feedback from first hand users. Suggestions on other vehicle choices are also welcome.

[Egan101]

How about putting the Maxda CX9 as one of your options? Yojin3 promo (free maintenance) is added value for such a hefty purchase, not to mention the CX9 AWD is cheaper than both the Pilot and Explorer 2.0L Ecoboost.

[macsd]

I own an explo 3.5 and have driven the pilot in the US about 4 yrs ago. Following your matrix :

1. Reliability - Honda is much better than Ford. I got a CRV 2004 and still running smooth with little maintenance lang while my 2007
escape has it's fair share of parts replacement.

2. Interior space - hands down explorer.

3. Gas consumption - with those cars your looking at, why bothered by gas consumption. If consumption is a concern, there's the Alto, Mirage etc...

But if power & responsiveness is what you want, go for explo.

[ano727]

How about putting the Maxda CX9 as one of your options? Yojin3 promo (free maintenance) is added value for such a hefty purchase, not to mention the CX9 AWD is cheaper than both the Pilot and Explorer 2.0L Ecoboost.

I agree. If you ask me, CX9 right now is a steal among full sized SUVs. Completely made in Japan (high reliability), Yojin 3year free maintenance, generous 3 rows of seating space and generous luggage area, sweet V6 engine, the fastest 7 seater SUV in its class. I think 4x4 AWD variant costs around P2.3M and the 4x2 FWD is around P2.1M before discounts.

Between Pilot and Explorer, I would choose Pilot mainly because of better overall reliability. Include CX9, then I choose CX9.

[Egan101]

A similar thread comparing the CX9 to the Explorer can be accessed below:

http://tsikot.com/forums/car-compari...xplorer-93383/

[sientobente]

Seeing that the Pilot wasn't a big seller here in the Philippines, you might have problems sourcing parts for it in the future. Compared to the Explorer where I see atleast 10 of them everyday(I actually count them while I'm bored using a treadmill in a gym in Makati) this may provide you better support someday.

[Horsepower]

+1 on the CX9.

Explorer, for me, is an odd ball. If I'm after size, I'd go straight up and get the Expedition or Suburban (unfortunately, those are used as funeral hearses nowadays).

CX9 is soooo ***y. Made in Japan pa. That alone is one BIG reason to put in on top of your list.

[Walter]

If space is a major consideration, how about the Toyota Alphard?

[joey_ed27]

I have neither...


But I have ridden my uncle's Honda Pilot though, and frankly speaking the ride and the interior space / comfort is great. Makes me wonder why this has not been as popular as its competition.

[Challenger75]

If you guys were wondering, the old man grew tired of driving a mini-van and wants an SUV instead without sacrificing much of the space and comfort.

Regarding the parts availability for the Pilot, is it true that it shares the same platform as the Accord and Odyssey? Does this mean that drivetrain parts are mostly interchangeable?

On the Explorer, any recommendations between the 2.0 Ecoboost and the 3.5 V6? Is there any truth as well to the cabin smelling like exhaust fumes?

Will visit a Mazda dealership for the CX9. The looks though might not click for a middle-aged man.

[lowslowbenz]

Where is a Honda Pilot built then?

Thailand?

[Horsepower]

Oh, an old man. He should check first if he's ok with the ingress of an SUV which is way higher than a minivan. His bones (and uric acid issues - common to old folks) might get in the way.

I have an acquaintance (about 60+). He loves his merc sedan a lot but it's giving him lower-back pains so he regularly drives his lite-Ace instead or his Cherokee (which is a mini- SUV).

He might like the Subaru Forester or XV though. Good luck. It's a nice problem he has. hehe

[baludoy]

Where is a Honda Pilot built then?

Thailand?

last i heard it is/was imported from the usa

[foresterx]

used to have an explorer and driven the pilot numerous times in the states. honestly the explorer in my opinion is the best in it's class. i have a company issued land cruiser vx+ and still love the explorer over that. before i got the explorer i was choosing between the cx9 and explorer, even with the yojin3 of the cx9 i'd still pick the explorer again and again. i'd probably get another one in the future if budget permits.

anyway owned the explorer almost 3 years and never had any issues with it besides the exhaust fumes. after the fix that ford did the smell lessened to about 90% to the point it never bothered me again. also go with the v6, i don't really see any reason why anyone would go with the 2.0 version of the explorer since FC and price has minimal difference.

[macsd]

On the Explorer, any recommendations between the 2.0 Ecoboost and the 3.5 V6? Is there any truth as well to the cabin smelling like exhaust fumes?

Don't make the car so complicated to turbo boost etc... just to get that extra power that a standard 3.5 engine can provided. Gas consumption wise, there's not too much of a difference.

As for the fume thing, you can check the explorer thread and there's a couple of discussion on that lately. Back read the last few pages.

[dct]

Explorer or cx9 for me. Ewan ko pero wala talagang kadating dating para sakin ang pilot. With this price point may wow na dapat e. Parang sa explorer. Pero sa pilot wala. Kamukha nya ang 1st gen everest.

[crosswind]

+ 1 on the Explorer spacious
Ok na din yung 2.0 ecoboost more than 200hp na din and konti lang
diff. sa 3.5 V6

4wd is okay
Pilot is rare in the Philippines(parts is a problem)
Higher ground clearance

May I suggest the Chevy traverse and Tahoe or the Toyota prado 4.5 v6

[Challenger75]

Seems like majority in this site favor the Explorer or the CX9. The Explorer could have been the runaway favorite if not for the exhaust fume cabin leak. That's also why we considered the Pilot, it's a compromise in all aspects, sort of like a jack of all trades if you will.

The Prado like the Pajero is too tall and quite cramped in the 3rd row. It will have a hard time replacing a mini-van.

Will keep you guys posted.

[willyfernando]

Seems like majority in this site favor the Explorer or the CX9. The Explorer could have been the runaway favorite if not for the exhaust fume cabin leak. That's also why we considered the Pilot, it's a compromise in all aspects, sort of like a jack of all trades if you will.

The Prado like the Pajero is too tall and quite cramped in the 3rd row. It will have a hard time replacing a mini-van.

Will keep you guys posted.

I got my Pilot last year after 3 months of exhausting deliberation on w/c SUV to get. To simplify my basis, The pilot has the following points that made me decide to get it:

1) The ground clearance is not bad for an SUV especially for seniors who have difficulty with the high vehicle ground clearance like the Patrol, Land Cruiser, etc.

2) The interior cabin space fits 8 adult Caucasians or equivalent comfortably, what more for Filipinos?

3) No car manufacturer is w/o problems with their models. Honda has their reliability and warranty to boot.

4) Ride comfort especially the suspensions are spot on. I'm not a racer so speed isn't in my criteria.

5) The SUV market isn't as big as we perceive it. I'm just happy that mine is different than most models I see and besides the Pilot being not so popular doesn't mean it isn't reliable.

6) The sound system is good plus the dash perks are simply idiot proof. Cabin is so quiet.

7) It has a lot of air bags.

I'm turning 50 in a couple of months and yes I believe I'm getting old so my criteria in buying an SUV or any other vehicle has changed from popularity and coolness factor to practicality and comfort. Fuel consumption is hardly a subject I'd touch when it comes to the vehicle of your choice in today's traffic. FYI, I tested almost all the SUV available during my 3-month deliberation and the PILOT just simply suited me. Test them all and see what catches your DAD's fancy. After all these SUV's aren't cheap so test and test until your satisfied.

[Challenger75]

I got my Pilot last year after 3 months of exhausting deliberation on w/c SUV to get. To simplify my basis, The pilot has the following points that made me decide to get it:

1) The ground clearance is not bad for an SUV especially for seniors who have difficulty with the high vehicle ground clearance like the Patrol, Land Cruiser, etc.

2) The interior cabin space fits 8 adult Caucasians or equivalent comfortably, what more for Filipinos?

3) No car manufacturer is w/o problems with their models. Honda has their reliability and warranty to boot.

4) Ride comfort especially the suspensions are spot on. I'm not a racer so speed isn't in my criteria.

5) The SUV market isn't as big as we perceive it. I'm just happy that mine is different than most models I see and besides the Pilot being not so popular doesn't mean it isn't reliable.

6) The sound system is good plus the dash perks are simply idiot proof. Cabin is so quiet.

7) It has a lot of air bags.

I'm turning 50 in a couple of months and yes I believe I'm getting old so my criteria in buying an SUV or any other vehicle has changed from popularity and coolness factor to practicality and comfort. Fuel consumption is hardly a subject I'd touch when it comes to the vehicle of your choice in today's traffic. FYI, I tested almost all the SUV available during my 3-month deliberation and the PILOT just simply suited me. Test them all and see what catches your DAD's fancy. After all these SUV's aren't cheap so test and test until your satisfied.

Thanks for your first-hand input. We have scheduled a test drive with the Pilot and will see from there.