The 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Ford Explorer are well-respected decisions and ship the passenger room, cargo house, and luxury touches folks demand in a contemporary household SUV. The Palisade is all-new and higher than ever for 2026, whereas the Explorer acquired a refresh in 2025 and introduces a rugged new trim for 2026, conserving it aggressive.
Let’s see how the Palisade and Explorer examine.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The redesigned 2026 Hyundai Palisade makes a great SUV higher with a much bigger third row, up to date know-how, and a good-looking design that appears costlier than it’s. It additionally provides a hybrid powertrain choice for the primary time, enhancing each efficiency and effectivity.
Hyundai Palisade Highlights
Extra cargo room: The house within the third row of those two SUVs is about the identical, however the Hyundai Palisade has 17 % extra cargo room behind the third row than the Ford Explorer. If you happen to’ll repeatedly have passengers within the third row, that additional cargo house is sweet to have for a stroller, groceries, or anything your loved ones must carry alongside for the journey.
Glorious guarantee: Hyundai has a few of the finest warranties within the enterprise, interval. The Hyundai Palisade comes with 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection, far outpacing Ford’s guarantee protection.
Hybrid choice: The Ford Explorer just lately discontinued its hybrid choice, and the Hyundai Palisade simply launched its personal. In our expertise, the potent and environment friendly Palisade Hybrid is nicely value the additional value over the also-good V6, and it has decrease gas prices than essentially the most environment friendly Explorer by an element of about $45/month in keeping with EPA estimates.
Verify this week’s Honest Buy Worth or see the Palisade fashions close to you.
2026 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is without doubt one of the unique midsize household SUVs, and it’s nonetheless some of the common. It’s a sensible software that offers a number of households what they want: 3-row seating, affordable gas economic system, and the flexibility to deal with day by day errand-running and weekend adventures alike.
Ford Explorer Highlights
Robust twin-turbo V6: We are able to vouch that the Explorer will get down with gusto with its 300-hp turbo 4-cylinder. Nonetheless, the twin-turbo V6, which is commonplace within the ST and optionally available within the Tremor, helps give this household hauler much more kick. With 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque on faucet, that is undoubtedly the fanatic’s alternative. The Hyundai Palisade can’t match that type of efficiency.
Tremor mannequin: A pattern amongst SUVs is to get again to, nicely, their SUV roots. This implies no less than one trim is geared towards off-road adventures. Within the case of the Explorer, it’s the new-for-2026 Tremor mannequin that fills this position. It comes with AWD, additional underbody safety, all-terrain tires, upgraded shocks, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and a rugged look package deal. It’s similar to the Palisade XRT Professional.
Blue Cruise: We’re large followers of Ford’s Blue Cruise hands-free freeway driving system, which is optionally available within the ST-Line, ST, and Platinum trims of the Explorer. It permits for eyes-on-the-road, hands-off-the-wheel driving on over 130,000 miles of North American highways. The Palisade has the wonderful Freeway Driving Help system, but it surely’s not hands-free.
Verify this week’s Honest Buy Worth or see the Explorer fashions close to you.
Similarities
Each of those SUVs have commonplace 3-row seating with very related third-row legroom. In addition they have related enhances of normal security and infotainment tech options.
Pricing
New 2026 Hyundai Palisade Costs
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Retail Worth
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Honest Buy Worth (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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$41,035
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TBD
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$43,540
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TBD
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$44,970
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TBD
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$46,900
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TBD
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$51,370
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TBD
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$51,470
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TBD
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$56,160
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TBD
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The Kelley Blue E book Honest Buy Worth for any particular person used automobile can range enormously in keeping with mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here mirror what consumers are at present paying for New 2026 Hyundai Palisade automobiles and New 2026 Ford Explorer automobiles in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s urged retail value (MSRP) quoted contains the vacation spot payment, however doesn’t embrace tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
Specs
| 2026 Hyundai Palisade | 2026 Ford Explorer | |
| Standard Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter 6-cylinder | 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capability | 5,000 kilos | 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 | computerized, 8-speed w/shiftronic | computerized, 10-speed |
| Gasoline Financial system | N/A | N/A |
| Specs | ||
| Fundamental Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA General Security | 5 stars | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capability | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 inches | 119.1 inches |
| General Size | 199.2 inches | 198.7 inches |
| Width | N/A | 89.3 inches |
| Top | 69.5 inches | 69.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.2 toes | 38.7 toes |
| Headroom, Entrance | 41.5 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.7 inches | 40.5 inches |
| Headroom, third Row | 37.8 inches | 38.9 inches |
| Legroom, Entrance | 44.2 inches | 43.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 43.0 inches | 39.0 inches |
| Legroom, third Row | 32.1 inches | 32.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 61.4 inches | 62.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.0 inches | 61.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, third Row | 55.6 inches | 54.6 inches |
| Cargo Behind Final Seat | 19.1 toes | 16.3 toes |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 46.3 toes | 46.0 toes |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 86.7 toes | 85.8 toes |
Specification desk displays the everyday configuration of automobiles proven.
Conclusion
There’s no arguing that the Hyundai Palisade is the brisker and extra fashionable alternative right here, having simply been redesigned for 2026. It’s roomy, comfy, and has the know-how that the trendy shopper craves, to not point out class-leading guarantee protection. Nonetheless, the Ford Explorer has distinct benefits, just like the turbo V6 we love, accessible hands-free driving, and a decades-long fame as a trusted household hauler. The fitting SUV for you depends upon your priorities.
