2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Ford Explorer
Back in the 80s and 90s, parents needing a practical family hauler with more than 5 seats had just one option: a minivan. The turn of the millennium, however, gave rise to a new segment of vehicles aimed at the droves of buyers wanting to distance themselves from the “soccer mom” image that minivans represent. The family SUV remains the most popular vehicle class to this day, with millions sold every year. Take a closer look at how the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, the new kid on the block that’s shattering the competition, stacks up to the 2026 Ford Explorer before getting in touch with our fantastic sales team at Delray Hyundai to schedule a test drive. Browse our online inventory for a preview of the most comprehensive selection near Delray Beach, FL.
2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade has a level of refinement, practicality, and technology that puts it in a class above the rest. The 2026 Ford Explorer is an icon in its own right, but unfortunately, it leaves much to be desired when stacked up against the Hyundai.
Performance
Buyers wanting a smooth and powerful engine without sacrificing fuel economy will be pleased to find the 2026 Hyundai Palisade comes standard with a 3.8-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder that pumps out 291 pulse-pounding horsepower. This full-size SUV generates 262 pound-feet of torque while delivering an impressive 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. An eight-speed automatic transmission is the perfect complement to this engineering masterpiece and glides the Palisade to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds.
The 2026 Ford Explorer is available with two powertrain options. The standard is a 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower. Buyers desiring quicker acceleration can opt for the Explorer ST, which has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder engine that produces 400 horsepower. This comes at a huge cost, however, in the fuel efficiency category. While the Palisade wonderfully combines power and performance, the Explorer makes you choose with abysmal fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Safety Features
Hyundai’s customers have come to expect a full gamut of advanced safety tech as standard equipment, and we’re pleased to report the 2026 Palisade does not disappoint. Standard active safety tech includes:
- Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Curve Control
- Lane Following Assist
- Safe Exit Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
The 2026 Ford Explorer, on the other hand, comes standard with passive safety features that have been standard on most Hyundai models for years and are becoming quite commonplace these days, such as:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure Warning
- Adaptive Cruise Control, which, unlike the system in the Palisade, is only available at highway speeds
Interior
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade’s highly attractive sheet metal gives way to an incredibly spacious cabin that can be configured to seat either 6 (with w/Captain’s Chairs) or 7 passengers, furthering this SUV’s impressive versatility. Once out on the open road, the Palisade’s serene and quiet cabin is sure to please the entire family. Available USB-C ports in the 3rd row ensure there’s not a bad seat in the house. The front passengers are treated to a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen that handles radio and navigation controls.
When compared to the effort Hyundai’s engineering powerhouse put into the Palisade, the 2026 Explorer simply can’t compete. The Palisade’s interior does a convincing Range Rover impression, whereas the hard plastics that adorn the cabin of the Explorer make it feel more like an economy car.
Bottom Line
While both these vehicles have good attributes, the 2026 Palisade provides more compelling design, advanced standard equipment, and a nicer cabin, all for a lower base price than the 2026 Ford Explorer.
Take the 2026 Hyundai Palisade for a Test Drive
Come down to Delray Hyundai, where we’ll show you around some of our best family SUVs like the new 2026 Hyundai Palisade. View our new inventory online before you stop by, or call our team at (561) 462-1994 for more information about Palisades available near Delray Beach, FL.