2024 Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport
If you're searching for a good midsize SUV for your next vehicle purchase, two strong candidates to consider are the 2024 Ford Explorer and Honda Passport. Both vehicles have strong points, with the Explorer offering a third row of seats and the Passport a large cargo area. Our Ford experts here at Chalmers Ford examined the power trains, interior, tech features, and other optional add-ons for both vehicles to create a comparison to help you decide which SUV is right for you.
Trims and Features
While you can choose from three trim options in the 2024 Honda Passport lineup, the Ford Explorer offers a more extensive range of options across its eight trims. The Passport is available in EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition. The base trim has a starting price of just over $41,000, followed by the off-roading TrailSport at around $44,500. The range-topping Black Edition has an MSRP of just over $47,000.
Ford's long lineup includes the base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, Timberline, ST, King Ranch, and Platinum. The wider array of options offered in the Explorer is reflected in its price range, which starts around $36,000 in the base trim and climbs to over $54,600. One of the main differences to keep in mind is that the lower trims up to the Timberline are all powered by a turbo four-cylinder engine, while the higher trims get a twin-turbocharged V-6 for added performance. By contrast, the Passport is powered by the same V-6 engine throughout its lineup.
You can configure the features in both vehicles' cabins to meet your needs. The Explorer's standard layout has seven seats, with a second-row bench seat. However, if you can afford to drop a seat to six, you may prefer the more comfortable captain's chairs for second-row passengers. All Passports have the same five-seat layout. The Passport's base setup features genuine leather upholstery and a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat. Meanwhile, the Explorer has cloth upholstery but offers various leather options if you move up the trim lineup.
If you like off-roading, you'll want to take a closer look at the Passport's TrailSport or Explorer's Timberline trims. The Timberline boasts all-terrain tires, a limited slip differential, skid plates, and standard four-wheel drive. The TrailSport equips the Passport with an off-roading suspension, 18-inch wheels, and power-folding side mirrors.
Specs and Dimensions
The standard engine offered in the Explorer is a 2.3-L turbocharged four-cylinder unit producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This unit is ideal for day-to-day driving settings thanks to its impressive fuel economy of 28 mpg on the highway. That's an impressive number for a vehicle that can haul up to seven passengers. However, if you want to push the Explorer's towing capacity of 5,600 pounds, you'll want to opt for a trim with the more powerful 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine. This available engine churns out 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
The Passport opts for a single engine option, but it's a good one for daily driving. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 engine can churn out 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It's more than enough to haul around five passengers or a full load of cargo at the rear. The one drawback is the Passport's fuel economy numbers, which are 19 mpg on city roads, 24 mpg at highway speeds, and 21 mpg combined.
Honda's midsize SUV makes up for its subpar fuel efficiency with a solid amount of cargo space. With over 41 cubic feet of space behind the second row, this vehicle is more than capable of carrying your gear for a weekend trip out of town. If you need to fit bulkier items in your car, folding down the second row will open up over 77 cubic feet for you to work with. The Explorer offers 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down.
Tech and Safety
The Passport's standard infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen and a seven-speaker stereo. The Explorer comes with an available 10.1-inch LCD Capacitive Portrait touchscreen. Your connectivity needs are met with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and BlueTooth in both vehicles. If you step up to one of the higher trims, you can add features like navigation, a 12-speaker stereo in the Explorer, and a 10-speaker stereo in the Passport. Other options include WiFi hotspots so you can stay in touch with friends and family, and a wireless charging pad for your phone.
Both SUVs are equipped with an extensive range of safety features. These include standard automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. The Passport offers standard adaptive cruise control to help you maintain a safe distance from other motorists, while both vehicles boast automatic high-beam headlights for improved visibility. You can get adaptive cruise control in the Explorer, but you'll need to add an optional package for that.
The Explorer has a standard driver attention monitor that alerts you when it's time to take a break on longer drives. Another helpful available feature in both vehicles is the surround-view parking camera, which will make it much easier to move in and out of tight parking spots. Other exciting optional add-ons include rain-sensing windshield wipers to help improve your visibility during poor weather, and a park assist system in the Explorer that can automatically position your vehicle in a parking spot.
Get Behind the Wheel of a New 2024 Explorer at Chalmers Ford in Albuquerque
As you can see, there are many reasons to recommend both SUVs for drivers in search of a new vehicle. That being said, we think the Explorer's more extensive trim configurations, more powerful engines, and off-roading abilities make it the better choice. If you'd like to test drive an Explorer before making a final choice, we can arrange that for you at Chalmers Ford. We'd also be delighted to help you secure competitive auto financing to fund your purchase. Feel free to reach out to our experts to learn more about your options today.
