The 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Ford Explorer are well-respected selections 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 obtained a refresh in 2025 and introduces a rugged new trim for 2026, holding 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 dearer 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 p.c extra cargo room behind the third row than the Ford Explorer. Should you’ll usually have passengers within the third row, that further cargo house is good to have for a stroller, groceries, or the rest your loved ones must deliver alongside for the trip.
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 effectively value the additional price over the also-good V6, and it has decrease gasoline prices than essentially the most environment friendly Explorer by an element of about $45/month in line with EPA estimates.
Test this week’s Truthful Buy Value or see the Palisade fashions close to you.
2026 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is likely one of the unique midsize household SUVs, and it’s nonetheless one of the crucial in style. It’s a sensible software that provides numerous households what they want: 3-row seating, affordable gasoline economic system, and the flexibility to deal with day by day errand-running and weekend adventures alike.
Ford Explorer Highlights
Sturdy twin-turbo V6: We will 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 non-obligatory 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 form of efficiency.
Tremor mannequin: A pattern amongst SUVs is to get again to, effectively, their SUV roots. This implies at the least 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 function. It comes with AWD, further 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 non-obligatory 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 superb Freeway Driving Help system, nevertheless it’s not hands-free.
Test this week’s Truthful Buy Value or see the Explorer fashions close to you.
Similarities
Each of those SUVs have commonplace 3-row seating with very related third-row legroom. Additionally they have related enhances of normal security and infotainment tech options.
Pricing
New 2026 Hyundai Palisade Costs
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Retail Value
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Truthful Buy Value (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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$41,035
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TBD
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$43,540
|
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 Truthful Buy Value for any particular person used automobile can range tremendously in line with mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here mirror what consumers are presently paying for New 2026 Hyundai Palisade autos and New 2026 Ford Explorer autos in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s prompt retail value (MSRP) quoted consists of the vacation spot price, however doesn’t embody 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 |
| Gas Financial system | N/A | N/A |
| Specs | ||
| Primary 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 |
| Peak | 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 standard configuration of autos proven.
Conclusion
There’s no arguing that the Hyundai Palisade is the more energizing and extra fashionable alternative right here, having simply been redesigned for 2026. It’s roomy, comfy, and has the know-how that the fashionable shopper craves, to not point out class-leading guarantee protection. Nonetheless, the Ford Explorer has distinct benefits, just like the turbo V6 we love, out there hands-free driving, and a decades-long fame as a trusted household hauler. The appropriate SUV for you depends upon your priorities.
