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Ford Explorer vs Honda Pilot: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Ford Explorer is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,780 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Explorer, 24 MPG combined), against $2,910 for the Honda Pilot (Pilot, 22 MPG combined). That is $130 a year, or $650 over five years.

Both are classed as Standard SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Ford Explorer

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Explorer

24 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
City
29 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,780

$18.53 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard SUVs
  • Gas
  • Standard SUVs

Honda Pilot

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Pilot

22 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
City
27 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,910

$19.40 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Ford Explorer$2,780 a year · $18.53 per 100 mi
  • Honda Pilot$2,910 a year · $19.40 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$130

Ford Explorer costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$650

$130 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Ford Explorer Honda Pilot
Lowest-cost configuration ExplorerPilot
Powertrain GasGas
Combined rating 24 MPG (better)22 MPG
City rating 20 MPG (better)19 MPG
Highway rating 29 MPG (better)27 MPG
Annual fuel cost $2,780/yr (better)$2,910/yr
Cost per 100 miles $18.53 (better)$19.40
Annual cost range, all configurations $2,780–$3,440$2,910–$3,280
Configurations in MY2026 64
EPA class Standard SUVsStandard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot
Powertrain Ford Explorer Honda Pilot
Gas 24 MPG · $2,780/yr Explorer 22 MPG · $2,910/yr Pilot

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Ford Explorer

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $2,780 vs $2,910
  • Higher combined rating: 24 MPG vs 22 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 20 MPG vs 19 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 29 MPG vs 27 MPG

Honda Pilot

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot
Model year Ford Explorer Honda Pilot
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 19–24 MPG $2,780–$3,440 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,280
2025 20–24 MPG $2,780–$3,230 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,280
2024 20–24 MPG $2,730–$3,280 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,270
2023 20–27 MPG $2,380–$3,340 20–22 MPG $2,910–$3,270
2022 19–27 MPG $2,390–$3,460 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,070
2021 19–27 MPG $2,380–$3,460 22–23 MPG $2,880–$2,950
2020 19–28 MPG $2,360–$3,490 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090
2019 18–22 MPG $3,000–$3,670 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090
2018 18–22 MPG $3,000–$3,570 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090
2017 18–22 MPG $3,000–$3,560 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,090
2016 18–22 MPG $3,000–$3,560 21–23 MPG $2,880–$3,110
2015 18–23 MPG $2,900–$3,570 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290
2014 18–23 MPG $2,880–$3,560 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290
2013 18–23 MPG $2,890–$3,550 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290
2012 19–23 MPG $2,890–$3,450 20 MPG $3,190–$3,290
2011 19–20 MPG $3,240–$3,450 18–19 MPG $3,460–$3,570
2010 15–17 MPG $3,840–$4,360 18–19 MPG $3,440–$3,630
2009 15–17 MPG $3,840–$4,360 18–19 MPG $3,440–$3,630
2008 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840
2007 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840
2006 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360 17–18 MPG $3,630–$3,840
2005 14–16 MPG $4,080–$4,670 17 MPG $3,840
2004 15–16 MPG $4,080–$4,360 17 MPG $3,840
2003 15–17 MPG $3,840–$4,360 17 MPG $3,840

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ford Explorer or the Honda Pilot?

The Ford Explorer is cheaper: about $2,780 a year against $2,910 for the Honda Pilot, a difference of $130 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Ford Explorer save over five years?

About $650 ($130 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Ford Explorer or the Honda Pilot?

The Ford Explorer is rated 24 MPG combined against 22 MPG for the Honda Pilot. City: 20 MPG vs 19 MPG. Highway: 29 MPG vs 27 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Ford Explorer and the Honda Pilot in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles