The 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Ford Explorer are well-respected choices and deliver the passenger room, cargo space, and comfort touches people demand in a modern family SUV. The Palisade is all-new and better than ever for 2026, while the Explorer received a refresh in 2025 and introduces a rugged new trim for 2026, keeping it competitive.
Let’s see how the Palisade and Explorer compare.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The redesigned 2026 Hyundai Palisade makes a good SUV better with a bigger third row, updated technology, and a handsome design that looks more expensive than it is. It also adds a hybrid powertrain option for the first time, improving both performance and efficiency.
Hyundai Palisade Highlights
More cargo room: The space in the third row of these two SUVs is about the same, but the Hyundai Palisade has 17 percent more cargo room behind the third row than the Ford Explorer. If you’ll regularly have passengers in the third row, that extra cargo space is nice to have for a stroller, groceries, or anything else your family needs to bring along for the ride.
Excellent warranty: Hyundai has some of the best warranties in the business, period. The Hyundai Palisade comes with 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage, far outpacing Ford’s warranty coverage.
Hybrid option: The Ford Explorer recently discontinued its hybrid option, and the Hyundai Palisade just introduced its own. In our experience, the potent and efficient Palisade Hybrid is well worth the extra cost over the also-good V6, and it has lower fuel costs than the most efficient Explorer by a factor of about $45/month according to EPA estimates.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Palisade models near you.
2026 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is one of the original midsize family SUVs, and it’s still one of the most popular. It’s a practical tool that gives a lot of families what they need: 3-row seating, reasonable fuel economy, and the versatility to tackle daily errand-running and weekend adventures alike.
Ford Explorer Highlights
Strong twin-turbo V6: We can vouch that the Explorer gets down with gusto with its 300-hp turbo 4-cylinder. However, the twin-turbo V6, which is standard in the ST and optional in the Tremor, helps give this family hauler a lot more kick. With 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque on tap, this is undoubtedly the enthusiast’s choice. The Hyundai Palisade can’t match that kind of performance.
Tremor model: A trend among SUVs is to get back to, well, their SUV roots. This means at least one trim is geared toward off-road adventures. In the case of the Explorer, it’s the new-for-2026 Tremor model that fills this role. It comes with AWD, extra underbody protection, all-terrain tires, upgraded shocks, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and a rugged appearance package. It’s comparable to the Palisade XRT Pro.
Blue Cruise: We’re big fans of Ford’s Blue Cruise hands-free highway driving system, which is optional in the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims of the Explorer. It allows for eyes-on-the-road, hands-off-the-wheel driving on over 130,000 miles of North American highways. The Palisade has the excellent Highway Driving Assist system, but it’s not hands-free.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Explorer models near you.
Similarities
Both of these SUVs have standard 3-row seating with very similar third-row legroom. They also have similar complements of standard safety and infotainment tech features.
Pricing
New 2026 Hyundai Palisade Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (43026)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
$41,035 |
TBD |
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$43,540 |
TBD |
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$44,970 |
TBD |
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$46,900 |
TBD |
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$51,370 |
TBD |
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$51,470 |
TBD |
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$56,160 |
TBD |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Hyundai Palisade vehicles and New 2026 Ford Explorer vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2026 Hyundai Palisade | 2026 Ford Explorer | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter 6-cylinder | 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 pounds | N/A |
| Horsepower | 287 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Transmission | automatic, 8-speed w/shiftronic | automatic, 10-speed |
| Fuel Economy | N/A | N/A |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 inches | 119.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 199.2 inches | 198.7 inches |
| Width | N/A | 89.3 inches |
| Height | 69.5 inches | 69.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.2 feet | 38.7 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.5 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.7 inches | 40.5 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 37.8 inches | 38.9 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 44.2 inches | 43.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 43.0 inches | 39.0 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 32.1 inches | 32.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.4 inches | 62.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.0 inches | 61.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 55.6 inches | 54.6 inches |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 19.1 feet | 16.3 feet |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 46.3 feet | 46.0 feet |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 86.7 feet | 85.8 feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
There’s no arguing that the Hyundai Palisade is the fresher and more modern choice here, having just been redesigned for 2026. It’s roomy, comfortable, and has the technology that the modern shopper craves, not to mention class-leading warranty coverage. However, the Ford Explorer has distinct advantages, like the turbo V6 we love, available hands-free driving, and a decades-long reputation as a trusted family hauler. The right SUV for you depends on your priorities.
