Ford Explorer vs. Honda Ridgeline
In comparing the Ford Explorer to the Honda Ridgeline, the Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Honda Ridgeline has the advantage in the area of overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer versus the Honda Ridgeline, the Ford Explorer is a better car than the Honda Ridgeline.
Ford Explorer versus Honda Ridgeline Pricing
A one- to five-year-old used Ford Explorer ranges from $25,524 to $40,893 while a used Honda Ridgeline from the same model year range is priced between $28,571 to $39,997. For a new model, the Ford Explorer's price is between $39,880 and $61,047, with the Honda Ridgeline priced between $42,413 and $49,070.
Ford Explorer versus Honda Ridgeline Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.5 out of 10 while the Honda Ridgeline's quality rating is 9.0 out of 10. This results in the Ford Explorer being ranked 5 out of 25 Best Midsize SUVs and the Honda Ridgeline being ranked 1 out of 11 Best Midsize Trucks.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Ford Explorer’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Honda Ridgeline base engine makes 280 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Ford Explorer, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and trunk space. The Honda Ridgeline, a midsize truck, has the advantage in the area of front shoulder room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Ford Explorer and the Honda Ridgeline have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Ford Explorer has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick+ award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$39,880 - $61,047
Used Asking Price:
$25,524 - $40,893
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
46.2%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$42,413 - $49,070
Used Asking Price:
$28,571 - $39,997
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
23.6%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.0 / 10
Reliability:
8.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 61Ranking
6 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 61Ranking
7 out of / 61Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 31Ranking
43 out of / 61iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 10Summary Review
The Ford Explorer is one of the defining vehicles of its segment. This three-row SUV is big, tough, and versatile. Ford redesigned its Explorer for 2020, switching it back to a rear-wheel-drive-based vehicle with a more rugged foundation.
Summary Review
The Honda Ridgeline differs from all of its peers in this segment by being a unit-body vehicle, meaning it is not built upon a traditional truck ladder frame. That is either the best feature or worst feature of this truck, depending upon which view you hold and what you intend to do with it. The Ridgeline is only offered in a crew cab configuration.
Pros and Cons
- Passenger Space
- Advanced 4X4 all-wheel-drive system available
- Class-leading engines on many trims, including a hybrid
- Older models lack some basic advanced safety systems common for their model years
- No 8-passenger seating option for 2021
Pros and Cons
- Best-in-class on-road ride quality and performance due to advanced chassis design
- Best-in-class safety
- 2nd Highest reliability score in the class
- Great in-vehicle storage features
- Not an “off-road” truck in comparison to its peers’ off-road trims
- Least workmanlike design
- No extended cab configuration
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Cab Types
Not applicable
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab
Available Bed Length(s)
Not applicable
Available Bed Length(s)
64 inches
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
Base, Limited, ST-Line, ST, Platinum, King Ranch, Police Interceptor Utility, XLT, Timberline
Trim Levels
Sport, RTL, RTL-E, Black Edition
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.069 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload:
Not applicable
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
280 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
262 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.063 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
5000 lbs
Max Payload :
1583 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 24 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
351 / 468 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
87.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
170.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
62 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.5 inches
Cargo Space:
7.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not applicable
Overall Interior Volume:
109.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
198.8 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4436 lbs
Width:
78.6 inches
Height:
70.8 inches
Length:
210.2 inches
Wheelbase:
125.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted alloy
Tire Size:
245/60R18
