Head-to-head
2026 Ford Expedition vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 88.7 to 77, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Ford Expedition is ahead on performance and safety.
B
2026 Ford Expedition
The 2026 Ford Expedition is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Expedition 2WD, is EPA-rated at…
vs
B2026 Hyundai Palisade
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Palisade Hybrid FWD…
More Ford Expedition head-to-heads More Hyundai Palisade head-to-heads Every Expedition vs Palisade model year
Verdict · default weights
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Clear winThe Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 88.7 to 77, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Ford Expedition is ahead on performance and safety.
Tech & comfort 2026 Hyundai Palisade leads by 51.3
Fuel & range 2026 Hyundai Palisade leads by 47.2
Performance 2026 Ford Expedition leads by 27.5
| Category · weight | 2026 Ford Expeditionoverall 77 | 2026 Hyundai Palisadeoverall 88.7 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 52.8 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 93.4 | 82.1 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 84 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 72.5 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 48.7 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 77 | 88.7 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Ford Expedition: base trim XL SSV 4WD · Hyundai Palisade: base trim SE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Hyundai Palisade wins
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (38 points against 18.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It costs $1,750 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,950 against $3,700).
- It is rated 34 combined against 18 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2026 Ford Expedition answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (11 against 136 filed with NHTSA).
- It turns out 480 lb-ft of torque against 260.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 8 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $39,435 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | 3,500 cc | 3,470 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 3.5L MPI + GDI DOHC 24-Valve V-Type 6-cylinder |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | TI-VCT | DOHC 24-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 400 hp | 287 hp |
| Torque | 480 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 19 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 21 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 25 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.73 | 3.510 |
| Transmission speeds | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 7.4 in |
| Overall height | 78 in | 69.5 in |
| Overall length | 210 in | 199 in |
| Overall width | 80 in | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | 123 in | 117 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 109 cu-ft | 86.7 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 60.8 cu-ft | 46.3 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 21.6 cu-ft | 19.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 181 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.7 in | 41.5 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40 in | 40.7 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.4 in | 37.8 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 43.9 in | 44.2 in |
| Second-row legroom | 41.1 in | 43 in |
| Third-row legroom | 36.5 in | 32.1 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 5,668 lbs | 4,575 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 5,668 lbs | 4,420 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 6,327 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent short- and long-arm (SLA) with stabilizer bar | MacPherson strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | Independent multi-link with stabilizer bar | Multi-link Independent, separated spring & shocks |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electronic power-assisted | Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion, column-mounted |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 41 ft | 39.2 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 345 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 325 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | 8.5 in | 8 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P265/70R18 | 235/65 R18 106H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 23.6 gal | 19 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Ford Connectivity Package | Bluelink |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 64.9 in | 61.4 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 64.8 in | 61 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 64.2 in | 55.6 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
135 features · differences first, then sharedSafety31 differ · 51 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection & JT/DO | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist 2 | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Forward Collision Warning | std | — |
| Surround View Monitor | std | — |
| Front center airbag (1) | — | std |
| Highway Driving Assist – HDA I | — | std |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go & Curve Control | — | std |
| 2x LATCH anchors & 3 tethers (for bench seat) in 2nd row; 2x LATCH & 3 tethers for 3rd row | — | std |
| Downhill Brake Control (DBC) – Driver Selectable | std | — |
| Front (2) and 2nd row (2) side impact airbags | — | std |
| Safe Exit Assist w/ rear door indicator | — | std |
| AdvanceTrac® w/RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) | std | — |
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning (Outside mirrors) | — | std |
| Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist | std | — |
| Driver Knee Airbag (1) | — | std |
| Electronic parking brake with Auto Vehicle Hold | — | std |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and brake assist | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0 – Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Predictive Speed Assist, Stop & Go | std | — |
| Ford Security Package (1-year included with activation) | std | — |
| Forward Attention Warning | — | std |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on all Second Row and Third Row Outboard Side Seating Positions | std | — |
| Personal Safety System™ (dual-stage front airbags, belt pretensioners, belt energy-management retractors, belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, restraint control module, Front-Passenger Sensing System) | std | — |
| Post-Collision Braking | std | — |
| Pro-Trailer Backup Assist | std | — |
| Pro-Trailer Hitch Assist | std | — |
| Rear child safety locks | — | std |
| Reverse Brake Assist | std | — |
| Seatbelt Pre-Tensioners and Load Limiters for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd row outboard seats | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | std | — |
| Vehicle stability management | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection & JT/DO | std | std |
| Smart Cruise Control 2 (w/ Emergency Stop) | std | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist | std | std |
| Driver and front passenger airbag (2) | std | std |
| Front (2) and 2nd row (2) side impact airbags | std | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist 2 | std | std |
| Rear view monitor with parking guidance | std | std |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | std | std |
| Driver Attention Warning | std | std |
| Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse | std | std |
| Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse | std | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | std | std |
| ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | std | std |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS) and brake assist | std | std |
| High Beam Assist | std | std |
| Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (door-logic system) | std | std |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | std | std |
| Immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with individual tire indicator | std | std |
Infotainment21 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Start | std | — |
| Ford app – Remotely start, lock and unlock vehicle | std | — |
| Ford app – Locate parked vehicle | std | — |
| 12.3" color touchscreen with onboard Navigation | — | std |
| 13.2" Center Stack Display | std | — |
| 24" Panoramic Display with Steering Wheel Controls | std | — |
| Alexa Built-in Voice Assistant | — | std |
| Bluelink® Connected Car System | — | std |
| Dynamic Voice Recognition | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-year included) – 5G Connectivity, Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot, Audio and Video Streaming, Productivity, Voice Assistant, Entertainment | std | — |
| Ford Connectivity Package (One-time purchase – 7 years) | opt | — |
| High Power USB-Cs: Two 1st row (2x USB-C Power) + Two 2nd row + Two 3rd row | — | std |
| In-Car Payment / Digital Features & Services | — | std |
| Multiple Device Connection (up to two devices) | — | std |
| Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates | — | std |
| Panoramic curved dual 12.3-in displays | — | std |
| Passenger Talk In-car intercom | — | std |
| Rear Seat Quiet Mode | — | std |
| SiriusXM / HD Radio | — | std |
| SiriusXM with 360L (3-month prepaid subscription standard; 3-year plan optional) | std | — |
| Steering Wheel – Audio and Cruise Controls | std | — |
| Wifi Hotspot | std | std |
Convenience7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Proximity key entry with push button start | — | std |
| Remote engine start (on key fob) | — | std |
| Ford Split Gate – Power Upper Liftgate and Power Lower Tailgate | std | — |
| Power window lock-out button | — | std |
| Remote release Hood | — | std |
| 12-volt outlet – 2 total: 1 Fr, 1 cargo | — | std |
| Power windows with safety front auto-down/up | — | std |
Climate1 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| PTC Heater | — | std |
| 3-Zone automatic climate control w/auto defog | std | std |
Seating8 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Row – 60/40 split fold-flat seats with recline & adjustable head restraints | — | std |
| 8-way power driver's seat | std | — |
| 6-way adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| 3rd row 60/40 split-fold seats with ingress/egress handles | — | std |
| 3rd Row Power Folding/Unfolding/Reclining/Sliding seats | std | — |
| 6-way adjustable passenger seat | — | std |
| One-touch 2nd row seat slide for 3rd row access | — | std |
| Tilting Walk-In Feature | — | std |
| Seating materials – Cloth | std | std |
Interior12 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2" Color multi-information display | — | std |
| Dashboard – Slush-molding | — | std |
| Dashboard – Wrapped, artificial leather | — | std |
| Door handles – Metal Paint | — | std |
| Front seat seatback pockets | — | std |
| Upper door panels / console armrest – Premium Soft Touch | — | std |
| Manual Adjusted Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column | std | — |
| Headliner/Pillar – Cloth | — | std |
| Overhead Console | std | — |
| Sunvisor – W/ sliding function | — | std |
| Trip Computer | std | — |
| Door storage pockets – Front and rear | — | std |
| Sunvisor – W/ illumination | std | std |
Exterior13 differ · 19 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED headlights (Projector) | — | std |
| Acoustic side glass – Front | — | std |
| Acoustic windshield | — | std |
| Door handle welcome lights | — | std |
| LED center positioning light | — | std |
| Off-Road Underbody Shield (51A) | opt | — |
| Running Boards, Fixed – Black | std | — |
| Shark-fin roof antenna | — | std |
| Signature Grille Lighting | std | — |
| Solar front glass – Front door, windshield | — | std |
| Compact Spare Tire / T155/90R18 | — | std |
| LED Roof-mounted center high-mount wide stop lamp | — | std |
| Rear spoiler – Wide Integrated with CHMSL, bodycolor | — | std |
| LED daytime running lights | std | std |
| LED rear combination lamps/taillights | std | std |
| Outside mirrors – Heated | std | std |
| Automatic headlights | std | std |
| Privacy glass – Rear/quarter/back glass | std | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | std | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| FWD | — | std |
| Terrain Mode Select (Mud, Snow, Sand) – Dash-mounted button + toggle switch | std | — |
| Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (e-LSD) | std | — |
| Shift-by-Wire w/paddle shifters | — | std |
| Two-Speed Transfer Case w/Torque on Demand (TOD) | std | — |
| Drive Mode Select (Eco, Sport, & My Drive) – Dash-mounted button + toggle switch | std | std |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Rear suspension – Self-Leveling suspension | — | std |
Cargo4 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tow Hitch | std | opt |
| Cargo – Underfloor storage compartment | — | std |
| Integrated Trailer Brake Controller | std | — |
| Trailering Package (trailer prewire, HD engine/trans coolers, sway control) | — | std |
| TOW mode – Dash-mounted button | std | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPFord Expedition
Safety Signal 85 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★☆☆
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 11 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Steering (4), Unspecified (4), Wheels (4)
Top recalls
- high Exterior Lighting 26V606000 · 41,748 vehicles
- high Electrical System 26V104000 · 4,381,878 vehicles
Hyundai Palisade
Safety Signal 83 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3
Owner complaints 136 · 4 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Seats (50), Electrical System (34), Forward Collision Avoidance (19)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V160000 · 61,307 vehicles
- moderate Seat Belts 26V169000 · 46,787 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Ford ExpeditionXL SSV 4WD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $39,435 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 8 trims | $39,435 – $58,780 21 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Expedition 4WD | Palisade Hybrid FWD Blue |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 18 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,700 | $1,950 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | — |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Ford Expedition or the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
The Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 88.7 to 77, on tech & comfort, fuel & range. The Ford Expedition is ahead on performance and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Palisade scores 88.7 and the 2026 Ford Expedition 77. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Ford Expedition or the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
2026 Ford Expedition: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 2 recalls. 2026 Hyundai Palisade: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Ford Expedition and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
Where the 2026 Hyundai Palisade wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (38 points against 18.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), costs $1,750 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,950 against $3,700), and is rated 34 combined against 18 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2026 Ford Expedition answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (11 against 136 filed with NHTSA) and turns out 480 lb-ft of torque against 260. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 8 seats.