How the 2026 Ford Explorer Reigns Supreme as the Best Midsize SUV

Are you a Circle City resident who also likes to travel the many backroads, plains, and occasional trails of Indiana? Chances are, if you’re looking for a new vehicle, the 2026 Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot are on your list.

Generations of families have sought the Ford Explorer for sale near Indianapolis because it offers three rows of seating, urban-friendly driving dynamics, up-to-date technology, and the ability to travel beyond the blacktop. However, with the Honda Pilot receiving a facelift in 2026, it seeks to challenge the Blue Oval’s supremacy.

Has the Pilot overtaken the Explorer as Indy’s favorite midsize SUV? Or is the Explorer still king? We put the 2026 models head-to-head to see which stands the tallest. While both are excellent in areas like interior space and towing, when you consider power, handling, and other things that matter, it’s apparent the Ford Explorer remains atop the mountain.

The Explorer Has More Power and More Options

Some drivers target three-row SUVs like the Explorer and Pilot as family-first vehicles that can also do the job beyond Indianapolis city limits. For others, the ability to get away from it all is the main attraction. Either way, the 2026 Ford Explorer has your power needs covered in ways the Honda Pilot can’t match.

Comparing Base Engines

Even after the refresh, the 2026 Pilot only has one engine option. The 3.5L V6 produces 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque with an EPA-estimated 27 MPG on the highway; in other words, it’s fine, but nothing special.

Choose the Explorer, though, and you have your pick of two great power plants. The base 2.3L turbo-four may be smaller than the Pilot’s engine, but it pulls ahead in every way with 300 hp, 310 lb-ft, and an EPA-estimated 29 MPG on the highway.

The Explorer Takes the Lead With Its Additional 3.0L Engine

Of course, living and working near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it’s understandable to want more. Standard on the ST and available on the Tremor, you can upgrade to a 3.0L V6 that will give you a little more thrill to your drive.

It generates 400 hp and 415 lb-ft with the same 5,000-lb towing capacity as the turbo-four, giving you that extra surge underneath your right foot even when you have a car full of passengers. The Explorer proves that even a family SUV can deliver excitement.

The Explorer Handles and Drives Better

The streets of Indianapolis can be a handful, switching from interstate highways to multilane avenues to narrow side streets on a dime. It’s understandable that someone might feel hesitant about traveling in a large SUV. But the 2026 Ford Explorer rolls over every road with assurance, giving you the confidence you need.

The Explorer Offers Rear-Wheel Drive

Unlike the Pilot and many other crossover SUVs that have switched to FWD as the baseline, the 2026 Explorer remains a RWD-first vehicle. There’s a reason for that: in everyday situations, this setup offers better balance and lets you accelerate more smoothly, especially when going up ramps and hills.

A RWD vehicle also feels more dynamic, accentuating the thrills that come from the beefier engines. If you want extra stability in wet weather or snowy winters, don’t worry—you can order the Explorer with AWD.

Additional Performance Enhancements

This is just one of the ways Ford delivers performance beyond the ponies under the hood. Honda did rework the Pilot’s steering feel to improve precision and feedback, but it’s not enough to beat out the Explorer.

Its surprising stopping power, smooth transmission shifting, minimal roll, standard Trailer Sway Control, and six selectable drive modes keep you ahead of the pack. The Explorer ST has a sport-tuned suspension and paddle shifters if you’re looking for an even more fun-focused vehicle.

The New Tremor Grade Is Made for Off-Roading

What about encountering dirt, mud, gravel, and snow? Perhaps you don’t expect a large family SUV to be the world’s best off-roading vehicle, but it should still have solid capability when you need it.

For 2026, Ford has replaced the Timberline grade with its increasingly popular Tremor, putting it up against the Honda Pilot Trailsport in a battle for family off-road supremacy. The change was a wise one, as the overhaul again makes the Explorer the SUV to beat.

Some of the Tremor’s Most Notable Features

Some features of a good off-road SUV are given, like a re-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, standard AWD, underbody skid plates, and front tow hooks. But beyond these shared characteristics between the Explorer Tremor and Pilot Trailsport, consider other key areas:

• The Tremor has 8.7 inches of ground clearance compared to the TrailSport’s 8.3 inches, giving you more of a buffer against debris and obstacles.
• The approach and departure angles on the Tremor are also significantly higher at 24.1 and 23.7 degrees versus 19.9 and 19 degrees to further improve the obstacle margins.
• Unlike the TrailSport, the Terrain Management System in the Tremor replaces the Trail mode with an updated Off-Road mode geared toward challenging environments.
• The Tremor adds a limited-slip rear differential that improves power distribution and reduces wheel spin on slippery surfaces.
• Its front grille has auxiliary off-road lights that increase visibility when there aren’t streetlights or other vehicles to rely on.

The Explorer Has Better Standard Infotainment Tech

Staying connected is part of owning a modern vehicle—not just for you, but for your passengers. Whether you’re stuck in Indianapolis’s notorious rush-hour traffic, hopping on Interstate 70 for an hours-long drive, or heading to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch the Colts, the 2026 Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV that keeps everyone informed and entertained.

The Explorer’s Larger Screens

Even though Honda emphasized infotainment in the 2026 Pilot facelift, it still lags behind the Explorer. The newly expanded 12.3-inch touchscreen is still smaller than the Explorer’s standard 13.2-inch screen, and the gap is even bigger for the digital gauge display, sitting at 10.2 inches versus 12.3 inches. That’s a lot more information you see in the Explorer while still keeping track of the road.

The Explorer Has More Ways to Stay Connected and Charged

As for the rest of the standard equipment, the 2026 Explorer also has two more USB ports (six vs four), built-in SiriusXM with 360L, and two standard 12V power outlets, compared to the Pilot’s one. These features don’t come at the expense of other essentials, such as wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and a Wi-Fi hotspot— and Ford throws in one year of the Ford Connectivity Package at no charge.

With the Ford Digital Experience infotainment software, use Google Assistant for crisp voice commands. When your Explorer is in park, you can stream your favorite video services or let passengers play games.

Great Sound Courtesy of Bang & Olufsen

As for bonus goodies, the Explorer’s available 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system edges out the Pilot’s nine-speaker unbranded system — and you can upgrade further to a 14-speaker, 980-watt setup that is a music fan’s heaven. And while Honda still doesn’t offer a hands-free highway driving system on the Pilot, Ford BlueCruise is standard or available on all but one Explorer trim level, showcasing who’s really in the captain’s seat.

Elevate Your Exploring at Pearson Ford

Simply put, life at the Crossroads of America is more rewarding with the 2026 Ford Explorer. It outpaces the Honda Pilot at nearly every turn, from power and handling to off-road capability and infotainment. Add its comfortable and roomy interior, sleek style, industry-leading driver assistance, and six dynamite trim levels, and there’s an Explorer to fit the needs and budget of everyone shopping for a new three-row SUV.

Test-drive the 2026 Explorer at Pearson Ford or start your search using the virtual showroom. For multiple generations, our family-owned dealership has served the Indy area with quality vehicles and award-winning service. From auto financing to Explorer parts and accessories, we are a one-stop Ford dealer dedicated to our customers. Come in and experience the 2026 Explorer for yourself.