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2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Honda Pilot

Side-by-side EPA, NHTSA, and recall data. Winners highlighted in green when one car clearly leads.

Quick read
  • Best EPA combined MPG goes to the 2022 Ford Explorer at 27 MPG.
  • Best highway MPG goes to the 2022 Ford Explorer at 28 MPG.
  • Top NHTSA overall safety rating (5 stars) is the 2022 Honda Pilot.
Vehicle comparison: EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety, recalls
 
Car 1
2022 Ford Explorer
Car 2
2022 Honda Pilot

Engine & efficiency

Cylinders66
Displacement3.3L3.5L
DriveRear-Wheel DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel typeRegular GasolineRegular Gasoline

EPA fuel economy

City MPG2720
Highway MPG2827
Combined MPG2723
Annual fuel cost (EPA)$2500$2950
CO2 tailpipe324g/mi388g/mi

NHTSA safety ratings

OverallNot rated5/ 5
Frontal crashNot rated4/ 5
Side crash5/ 55/ 5
Rollover4/ 54/ 5
Stability controlStandardStandard

Recalls, complaints, investigations

Recalls (NHTSA)234
Complaints filed233121
Open investigations21
2022 Ford Explorer recalls
  1. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
  2. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
  3. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection.
  4. + 20 more on file at NHTSA.
2022 Honda Pilot recalls
  1. BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
  2. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
  3. AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
  4. + 1 more on file at NHTSA.

Sources: US DOT NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov) for safety ratings, recalls, and complaints. US EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov for engine, fuel economy, and emissions data. Both are free public datasets, updated by the federal agencies that own them.

Real listings, four marketplaces

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Real listings, four marketplaces

Shop real 2022 Honda Pilot listings

These links open a pre-filtered search on each marketplace. Compare prices and inventory in one tab each, then come back. The verdict above tells you what to ask the seller before you commit.

Outbound links may pay MotorJudge a commission via affiliate networks. Prices, availability, and dealer policies live on each marketplace. We do not control their inventory.

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