Lithia Springs Ford – Which Three-Row SUV Tows and Travels More Confidently for Austell, GA Families?
When families compare two proven three-row SUVs, a frequent question emerges: Which model blends confident towing with easy long-distance comfort? This side-by-side look at Explorer® and Pilot focuses on towing hardware, road manners, and driver-assist features that reduce stress on busy I-20 corridors and weekend getaways near Austell, GA.
Explorer® sets the tone with a standard Class III Trailer Tow Package on every trim and up to 5,000 pounds of capability when properly equipped. That means your hitch and core hardware are already accounted for—no guesswork, no additional trips to the parts counter. Pilot also reaches up to 5,000 pounds when equipped, but its hitch and trailering hardware vary by trim and package. On the highway, Explorer’s rear-wheel-drive platform and available Intelligent 4WD contribute to a poised, confident feel with a full cabin and gear. Pilot’s front-wheel-drive platform with available i-VTM4® AWD is stable in daily driving, but the Explorer’s RWD foundation can feel more balanced when towing.
To help you decide, consider the key ownership moments that matter most to families and adventurers alike:
- Towing readiness: Explorer includes a standard Class III Trailer Tow Package on every model; Pilot’s hitch and trailering accessories are trim-dependent.
- Highway calm: Explorer’s RWD chassis delivers assured stability under load; Pilot’s FWD-based layout is composed but tuned differently.
- Hands-free assistance: Explorer offers available BlueCruise for hands-free highway driving; Pilot does not offer hands-free highway driving.
- Camera confidence: Both offer robust camera tech—Explorer with a 360-Degree Camera and Pilot with a Multi-view Camera System on select trims.
- Cabin tech: Explorer integrates SYNC® 4 and a 5G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot; Pilot offers Wi?Fi hotspot capability on Touring and above.
On longer drives, the difference between driver-assist approaches becomes clear. Explorer’s Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+ pairs Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane-Centering, minimizing the start-stop fatigue that can wear on drivers during weekend traffic. Pilot’s Honda Sensing® is comprehensive with Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist, but it does not add a hands-free highway layer. For many families balancing busy schedules with occasional towing, that additional confidence is the tie-breaker.
Road feel matters, too. Explorer’s chassis traits—especially on the ST-Line and ST—make merging, passing, and winding routes feel more precise, even when fully loaded. Pilot’s TrailSport is a great answer for light off-pavement adventures, yet Explorer offers its own blend of traction, stability, and steering feedback that makes daily drives feel more like time saved than time spent.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need extra hardware to tow a small boat or camper?
Explorer includes a standard Class III Trailer Tow Package on every trim, helping you hit the road with fewer steps. Pilot can tow similarly when equipped, but hitch and wiring availability vary by trim.
Which SUV feels more stable while towing at highway speeds?
Explorer’s rear-wheel-drive platform and available Intelligent 4WD contribute to linear, confident responses under load. Pilot’s platform is composed, but tuning and feel will differ due to its front-wheel-drive roots.
Can either model reduce fatigue on long stretches of highway?
Explorer offers available BlueCruise for hands-free driving on designated highways with proper activation, plus lane-centering with Stop-and-Go. Pilot provides a robust driver-assist suite but does not offer hands-free highway driving.
If you are weighing towing readiness, highway ease, and day-to-day livability, a well-equipped Explorer makes a compelling case. Schedule a drive to feel the difference in steering feedback, trailer stability, and the way driver-assist systems integrate to lower your workload.
Lithia Springs Ford, serving Douglasville, Austell, and Bremen, is ready to walk you through trailering setups, camera views, and the right drive modes for your routes. Our team will help you configure the features that fit your weekend plans and your weekday routines—so your three-row SUV works smoothly from the first mile.
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