The 2026 Explorer offers the widest power range in this group, from 300 horsepower on the base engine up to 400 horsepower on the ST trim, a ceiling none of these three competitors reach. It is also the only one of the four available with a genuine off road Tremor model built on a standard four wheel drive system rather than an all wheel drive crossover setup. The Traverse counters with the lowest starting price and the largest cargo volume in the group, while the Highlander’s hybrid delivers far better fuel economy than any Explorer engine. The right pick depends on whether a Gordon area family values power and off road capability or maximum cargo room and efficiency.

Powertrain range and off road capability separate the Explorer from this group more than any other factor. The Highlander dropped its entry LE trim for 2026 and now requires all wheel drive on every gas model, which raised its starting price closer to the Explorer’s. The Pilot and Traverse both rely on a single engine across their entire lineups, 285 horsepower and 328 horsepower respectively, while the Explorer spans 300 to 400 horsepower depending on trim. Cargo capacity tells a different story, since the Pilot and Traverse both offer more room behind the third row than the Explorer.

The Traverse has the lowest starting price of the group at $40,800 for a base LT FWD trim. The Pilot follows at $42,195, the Explorer at $44,145, and the Highlander at $45,270 now that Toyota requires all wheel drive on every 2026 gas trim. Buyers should remember these are base trims with different standard equipment, so the real price comparison depends on which features and drivetrain a buyer actually needs.

Not consistently. The Highlander now carries the highest starting price after dropping its front wheel drive LE trim, yet it has the lowest maximum horsepower of the four at 265 on its gas engine. The Explorer sits in the middle of the price range but tops the group on maximum available horsepower and is the only one with a true off road trim. Cargo capacity runs the other direction, with the lower priced Traverse and Pilot both beating the Explorer and Highlander behind the third row.

The Explorer spans five main trim levels for 2026, from Active up through Platinum and the performance focused ST, plus the off road Tremor. The Highlander and Traverse each offer a similar four to five trim spread, while the Pilot offers roughly six or seven trims once TrailSport and Elite variants are included. Trim count matters less than which specific combination of engine, drivetrain and features a family actually needs, and Holiday Gordon Ford can help narrow that down.

The Highlander is the only one of the four with a hybrid available on the Highlander nameplate itself, returning up to 36 mpg combined with 243 horsepower, though its towing drops to 3,500 pounds in that configuration. The Explorer, Pilot and Traverse do not currently offer a hybrid powertrain on these specific models. A family that drives long highway distances and prioritizes fuel economy over towing or horsepower has real reason to consider the Highlander Hybrid specifically.

For buyers who genuinely want to leave pavement behind, the Explorer Tremor stands apart in this shortlist with standard intelligent four wheel drive, a raised suspension, a locking rear differential and all terrain tires. The Traverse’s Z71 and the Highlander’s available AWD are tuned more for slippery pavement and light trail use than serious off road travel. The Pilot TrailSport falls closer to the Tremor in intent but uses a car based all wheel drive system rather than a true four wheel drive setup. Families near Gordon who spend time on ranch roads or unpaved county roads should look closely at the Tremor.

The decision usually comes down to which two or three priorities matter most, since no single SUV in this group wins every category. A family that wants the most power and a genuine off road trim tends toward the Explorer, while one focused on maximum cargo room and the lowest price leans Traverse. A buyer prioritizing fuel economy above all else should look at the Highlander Hybrid, and one who wants the most interior cargo volume overall often considers the Pilot. Holiday Gordon Ford can put two or three of these SUVs side by side for a direct in person comparison.

The Pilot has a genuine cargo advantage in this matchup, with up to 113.7 cubic feet of space behind the first row on models equipped with the stowable second row seat, and 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row. The Explorer offers 85.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded and 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row. Families who regularly need to haul bulky gear alongside passengers will find the Pilot’s interior genuinely roomier in this specific comparison.

The Explorer’s ST trim produces 400 horsepower from its 3.0L EcoBoost V6, well ahead of the Pilot’s single 3.5L V6 rated at 285 horsepower across every trim. Even the Explorer’s base 2.3L EcoBoost engine is close to the Pilot’s output at 300 horsepower. Buyers who want a noticeably quicker three row SUV will find the Explorer ST has no equivalent in the Pilot lineup, since Honda does not offer a performance oriented Pilot variant.

The Pilot has a lower starting price at $42,195 for its base Sport trim, compared to the Explorer’s $44,145 starting price for the Active trim. That gap can matter for budget conscious families, though the Explorer’s wider engine range and off road Tremor trim add capability options the Pilot does not offer at any price point. Buyers should compare equivalent trim levels rather than just the base price, since standard equipment differs between the two.

Both trims are marketed toward buyers who want some off road capability, but they take different approaches. The Explorer Tremor uses a standard intelligent four wheel drive system with a raised suspension and a locking rear differential built specifically for off road use. The Pilot TrailSport uses Honda’s i-VTM4 all wheel drive system, which is more car based and tuned primarily for slippery pavement and light trail conditions rather than serious off roading. Families who need genuine off road capability around Gordon will find the Tremor the more capable of the two.

Both SUVs offer a comparable suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control on their higher trims. The Explorer adds BlueCruise hands free highway driving on select trims, a feature the Pilot does not currently offer. Neither vehicle has a documented safety rating advantage over the other in independent testing, so the comparison largely comes down to which specific technology features matter most to the buyer.

The Explorer’s base 2.3L EcoBoost engine is rated at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with rear wheel drive, ahead of the Pilot’s 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway rating on front wheel drive models. The gap narrows on all wheel drive versions of both vehicles. Neither SUV offers a hybrid option, so fuel economy differences between them come down to engine displacement and drivetrain rather than electrification.

The Pilot offers a lower starting price and considerably more total interior cargo room, which adds up to strong value for families who prioritize passenger and cargo space above all else. The Explorer counters with a wider power range, better base fuel economy and the only genuine off road trim in this matchup. The right value comparison depends on whether cargo room or capability and performance options matter more to the buyer.

A buyer who wants the most interior cargo room in this matchup, a lower starting price, or Honda’s reputation for interior versatility has good reason to choose the Pilot. A buyer who wants more power, better base fuel economy, or a genuine off road trim typically finds the Explorer the better overall match. Holiday Gordon Ford can set up a back to back test drive to help make the comparison concrete.

The Traverse has the lowest starting price of the group at $40,800 for a base LT FWD trim. The Pilot follows at $42,195, the Explorer at $44,145, and the Highlander at $45,270 now that Toyota requires all wheel drive on every 2026 gas trim. Buyers should compare equivalent trim levels and standard equipment rather than base price alone, since these figures represent each brand’s entry configuration.

Not necessarily. The Highlander has the highest starting price in this group but also the best fuel economy through its available hybrid, which can offset the higher purchase price over years of ownership through fuel savings. The Traverse has the lowest starting price and the most cargo room, which is a strong value case on its own. Long term value depends on how a family weighs purchase price, fuel costs and capability together rather than any single figure.

The Highlander Hybrid’s 36 mpg combined rating can meaningfully reduce fuel costs for families who drive high annual mileage, especially on highway commutes. The Explorer, Pilot and Traverse all post gas only fuel economy in a similar range, so the difference in fuel costs between those three is modest. A family that drives more than average annual mileage should run the numbers on the Highlander Hybrid specifically to see how much it could save over a typical ownership period.

Routine maintenance costs across these four SUVs are broadly similar for basic service like oil changes and tire rotations, since all four use conventional gas engines with standard service intervals. Toyota’s reputation for long term reliability is a real factor that can translate into fewer unexpected repairs for the Highlander over a decade of ownership. The Explorer’s wider range of trims and available all wheel drive systems means maintenance costs can vary more by configuration than with the single engine Pilot or Traverse.

Financing offers change frequently and vary by manufacturer, region and time of year, so the most reliable way to compare current rates is directly with Holiday Gordon Ford’s finance team. Ford, Toyota, Honda and Chevrolet all typically offer a mix of low APR financing and cash incentives depending on the model year and trim. Buyers should ask specifically about any loyalty, military or first responder offers that might apply to their situation.

Leasing can work well for families who prefer predictable monthly payments and like changing vehicles every few years, particularly on a vehicle like the Highlander that tends to hold its value well as a Toyota product. The Explorer, Pilot and Traverse are all reasonable lease candidates as well, and the right choice between leasing and buying depends more on a family’s driving habits and budget than on which specific SUV is chosen. Holiday Gordon Ford can run both purchase and lease numbers side by side for any of these vehicles.

TThe Highlander has historically posted strong resale value in independent industry studies, consistent with Toyota’s broader reliability reputation. The Explorer and Pilot both hold value competitively within the three row SUV segment given their long production histories and broad service networks. Resale value depends heavily on trim, mileage and condition at trade in time, so families focused specifically on long term value should ask Holiday Gordon Ford about recent trade in trends.

The most reliable approach is to compare total cost of ownership together, meaning purchase price, fuel costs, financing terms and expected resale value rather than any single number in isolation. An SUV with a lower starting price but higher fuel costs and weaker resale value may end up costing more over ten years than a pricier vehicle with stronger long term value. Holiday Gordon Ford’s sales and finance teams can walk through these numbers side by side for the specific SUVs a family is cross shopping.