When you look to the large SUVs of the world you see fewer and fewer of the body on frame designs and many more of the unibody versions. Even at the top of many lineups this is true as we have turned our passion toward SUVs that drive more like a sedan and much less like a truck. These SUVs were dubbed as crossovers several years ago because of the driving they give us along with the added space and capability which truly does make them SUVs. In today’s world more and more SUVs have gone small and we now see subcompact crossover versions that are little more than a wagon raised up for some ground clearance.

Thankfully, at the top of two lineups we still see a pair of highly capable and spacious SUVs that give us what we want. These two have taken on the crossover feel but remain full of promise with the actual utility they present. Although similar in size, both of these models offer different aspects of an SUV for you to try and figure out which one is right for you. The two we look at now are the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot, both for the new 2016 model year.

The Look

At first glance you see these two as being extremely different vehicles. The Ford still has some of the old boxy shape that we enjoyed for many years even though it has a refined style to offer a modern feel. The Pilot on the other hand does more to offer a massive amount of style and visual appeal on the outside. Both vehicles have plenty of space and their own impressive style, but we will have to get under the skin to really do the job of comparing these two big beasts.

Topping the Food Chain

With the packages that are at the top of the models for these two we find some outstanding features and equipment to be used. For the Explorer the pinnacle comes in the form of the Platinum edition which comes with a telescoping steering wheel, dual headrest mounted video screens, a dual pane panoramic sunroof, a power flip and fold third row of seats, massaging front seats and much more. This model also gives you the 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine that brings you a full 365 horsepower to make use of when driving. The price of this vehicle will come in around $55,410 which makes it a huge value.

For the Pilot Elite the price comes in around $47,300 and comes with a remote starter, active lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, a rear entertainment system and a dual moon roof. The engine under the hood of this model is also a 3.5-liter V6 but only offers 280 horsepower while the weight is only 4,317 pounds the Pilot is actually 570 pounds less than the Explorer while adding a nine-speed automatic transmission that is used in the Acura MDX to give you a smooth shifting experience.

Efficiency and Shifting

The six-speed automatic transmission for the Explorer does a great job of being active and drivable, but the Honda offers the smoother of the two when it comes to shifting, probably because it has three more gears. The fuel mileage return is better with the Pilot as well as it will give you an average of 23.1 mpg versus the 17.7 average mph for the Explorer. Neither of these brutes has any problem entering traffic or being weighed down, but there is a bit of a delay when you accelerate the Explorer, unless you drive it in Sport mode at all times.

Comfort

From inside the cabin both offer excellent comfort in the seating positions, but the drive is more comfortable in the Pilot. The Explore is a bit more rugged and rough around the edges although it does have the quieter cabin. The Pilot feel more fluid on the road and less harsh. When it comes to the drive though, the Explorer is more capable as it handles winding roads with more confidence and a set of brakes that are matched to give you the performance you want. Despite the heavier weight and the variable torque management AWD system, the Explorer is the one that gives you the best drive, but the Pilot is the most comfortable.

Interior Quality

Putting the two side by side you can see a clear winner when it comes to the inside of the vehicle. The Explorer offers more of the luxury SUV feel with added lumbar support, a heated steering wheel that actually heats the wood inserts and higher quality materials. While the vision is good in both vehicles you can see where the additional $8,000 was spend, inside the vehicle.

Even though the overall quality is with the Explorer, the Pilot offers a large center storage bin in the rear, built in window sunshades, and inboard armrests for the second row captain’s chairs, all features the Explorer does not have present. Both vehicles offers easy to use controls from every aspect so the technology and control aspect is a push, but the difference here is the quality versus the practicality, which you will have to decide for yourself.

Seating

The seating arrangement and leg room in the rear of these two vehicles is a bit different and may be the overall difference maker for you. The Pilot offers good second row legroom but the Explorer has more space in this area. The third row is about two inches larger for the Ford versus the Honda, but there is only room for two in the third row of the Explorer while the Pilot can seat three in this last row. The seats in the third row are more comfortable in the Pilot and the easy to use access with a single button push make the Pilot much more accommodating to sit in and enjoy the ride.

Amazingly, when it comes to cargo space there is a huge difference. With all seats up the Explorer gives you 21 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats while the Pilot only gives you 18 cubic feet. When the seats are put down you expand the Pilot to a massive 108.5 cubic feet with the Explorer coming in at 81.7 cubic feet, which can make an enormous difference.

Which One is Better

If you want more power and a luxury feel, the Explorer Platinum is the way to go. In almost every way the Explorer beat the Pilot, but if you want a smoother ride and better fuel mileage the Pilot will be the right choice. Both of these are extremely capable large SUVS and choosing between them will depend on your needs.