Head-to-head
2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 94.1 to 75.9, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, safety.
F
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …
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 Explorer head-to-heads More Hyundai Palisade head-to-heads Every Explorer vs Palisade model year
Verdict · default weights
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Clear winThe Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 94.1 to 75.9, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, safety.
Fuel & range 2026 Hyundai Palisade leads by 30.1
Tech & comfort 2026 Hyundai Palisade leads by 25
Safety 2026 Hyundai Palisade leads by 4.2
| Category · weight | 2026 Ford Exploreroverall 75.9 | 2026 Hyundai Palisadeoverall 94.1 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 69.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 81 | 85.2 | |||||||||||||||
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 & cargonot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 75 | 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 | 75.9 | 94.1 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 3 of 7 categories compared
Ford Explorer: base trim Active Base RWD · 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 has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 83 against 53).
- It costs $850 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,950 against $2,800).
- It is rated 34 combined against 24 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2026 Ford Explorer answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (44 against 136 filed with NHTSA).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
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
55 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $39,435 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | — | 3,470 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop | 3.5L MPI + GDI DOHC 24-Valve V-Type 6-cylinder |
| Fuel injection system | — | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC 24-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 287 hp |
| Torque | — | 260 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 19 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 21 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 25 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.58 | 3.510 |
| Transmission speeds | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 7.4 in |
| Overall height | — | 69.5 in |
| Overall length | — | 199 in |
| Overall width | — | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 117 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 86.7 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 46.3 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | — | 19.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 181 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 41.5 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 40.7 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 37.8 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 44.2 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 43 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 32.1 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 4,575 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | — | 4,420 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 6,327 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent | MacPherson strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | Independent | Multi-link Independent, separated spring & shocks |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion, column-mounted |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 39.2 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 345 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 325 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 8 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P255/65R18 | 235/65 R18 106H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.9 gal | 19 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Ford Connectivity Package | Bluelink |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 84 months | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 61.4 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 61 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 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
152 features · differences first, then sharedSafety36 differ · 53 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | 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 | — |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection & JT/DO/LO/LS/JC/Evasive Steering Assist | std | — |
| Front center airbag (1) | — | std |
| Highway Driving Assist – HDA I | — | std |
| Lane-Keeping System – Lane-Keeping Alert / Driver Alert | std | — |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go & Curve Control | — | std |
| Rear view monitor with parking guidance | — | std |
| 2x LATCH anchors & 3 tethers (for bench seat) in 2nd row; 2x LATCH & 3 tethers for 3rd row | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning | — | std |
| Front (2) and 2nd row (2) side impact airbags | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse | — | std |
| Safe Exit Assist w/ rear door indicator | — | std |
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning (Outside mirrors) | — | std |
| Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist | std | — |
| Curve Control | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | 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+ (base ADAS suite) | std | — |
| Forward Attention Warning | — | std |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | — | std |
| Intersection Assist | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on Second and Third Row Outboard Seating Positions | std | — |
| Perimeter Alarm | std | — |
| Personal Safety System™ (driver and front passenger – dual-stage front airbags, belt pretensioners, 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 | — |
| Rear child safety locks | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (door-logic system) | — | std |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | std | — |
| Seatbelt Pre-Tensioners and Load Limiters for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd row outboard seats | — | std |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | std | — |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | std | — |
| Speed Sign Recognition | 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 |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | std | std |
| Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse | std | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | std | std |
| ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | std | std |
| Driver Knee Airbag (1) | 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 |
| 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 |
Infotainment22 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle | std | — |
| Ford App – Locate parked vehicle | std | — |
| 12.3" color touchscreen with onboard Navigation | — | std |
| 5G Modem | std | — |
| 911 Assist® | std | — |
| Alexa Built-in Voice Assistant | — | std |
| Audio – AM/FM Stereo, MP3 Capable, Six (6) Speakers, Speed-Compensated Volume, SiriusXM® with 360L | std | — |
| Bluelink® Connected Car System | — | std |
| Dynamic Voice Recognition | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-year Included) | std | — |
| Ford Connectivity Package (One-time purchase – 7 years) (91D) | opt | — |
| Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility | std | — |
| 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 |
| 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-year plan) (94B) | opt | — |
| Steering Wheel with Mounted Features – Audio Controls | std | — |
| USB Ports, First Row and Second Row (Ford Digital Experience standard); Third Row USB included on 200A+ | std | — |
| Wifi Hotspot | std | std |
| Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates | std | std |
Convenience7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote engine start (on key fob) | — | std |
| Power window lock-out button | — | std |
| Remote release Hood | — | std |
| Manual Liftgate | std | — |
| 12-volt outlet – 2 total: 1 Fr, 1 cargo | — | std |
| Power windows with safety front auto-down/up | — | std |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | std | — |
| Proximity key entry with push button start | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | std | — |
| PTC Heater | — | std |
| 3-Zone automatic climate control w/auto defog | std | std |
Seating8 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Row – 60/40 split fold-flat seats with recline & adjustable head restraints | — | std |
| 6-way adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| 2nd Row – Captain's Chairs | std | — |
| 3rd row 60/40 split-fold seats with ingress/egress handles | — | std |
| 6-way adjustable passenger seat | — | std |
| One-touch 2nd row seat slide for 3rd row access | — | std |
| Seats – Second Row 35/30/35 Bench with E-Z Entry and Armrests (17U) | opt | — |
| Tilting Walk-In Feature | — | std |
| Seating materials – Cloth | std | std |
Interior17 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2" Color multi-information display | — | std |
| 12.3" Digital Instrument Cluster | std | — |
| Compass | std | — |
| Dashboard – Slush-molding | — | std |
| Dashboard – Wrapped, artificial leather | — | std |
| Door handles – Metal Paint | — | std |
| Front seat seatback pockets | — | std |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | std | — |
| Upper door panels / console armrest – Premium Soft Touch | — | std |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | std | — |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | std | — |
| Floor Mats – Black Carpet, Front and Second Rows | std | — |
| Headliner/Pillar – Cloth | — | std |
| Overhead Console with Sunglasses Storage | std | — |
| Sunvisor – W/ sliding function | — | std |
| Trip Computer | std | — |
| Door storage pockets – Front and rear | — | std |
| Sunvisor – W/ illumination | std | std |
Exterior19 differ · 23 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED headlights (Projector) | — | std |
| 18" Spare Wheel and Jack Kit (76U) | opt | — |
| Acoustic side glass – Front | — | std |
| Acoustic windshield | — | std |
| Active Grille Shutters | std | — |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | std | — |
| Door handle welcome lights | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | std | — |
| LED center positioning light | — | std |
| LED daytime running lights | — | std |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay / Wiper-Activated | std | — |
| LED rear combination lamps/taillights | — | std |
| LED Taillamps | std | — |
| Shark-fin roof antenna | — | std |
| Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) | std | — |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
| Solar front glass – Front door, windshield | — | std |
| Compact Spare Tire / T155/90R18 | — | std |
| LED Roof-mounted center high-mount wide stop lamp | — | std |
| Outside mirrors – Heated | std | std |
| Privacy glass – Rear/quarter/back glass | std | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | std | std |
| Rear spoiler – Wide Integrated with CHMSL, bodycolor | std | std |
Powertrain7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| FWD | — | std |
| Battery Saver | std | — |
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | std | — |
| Engine – 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop | std | — |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | std | — |
| Shift-by-Wire w/paddle shifters | — | std |
| Transmission – 10-Speed Automatic | std | — |
| Drive Mode Select (Eco, Sport, & My Drive) – Dash-mounted button + toggle switch | std | std |
Chassis2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | std | — |
| Rear suspension – Self-Leveling suspension | — | std |
Cargo3 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tow Hitch | — | opt |
| Cargo – Underfloor storage compartment | — | 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 Explorer
Safety Signal 53 F
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 15 · 3 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 44 · 3 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (11), Unspecified (11), Visibility/Wiper (7)
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 26V581000 · 7 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V532000 · 6 vehicles
- high Seats 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V205000 · 278 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 ExplorerActive Base RWD | Hyundai PalisadeSE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $39,435 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 12 trims | $39,435 – $58,780 21 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Explorer RWD | Palisade Hybrid FWD Blue |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 24 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,800 | $1,950 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Ford Explorer or the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
The Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 94.1 to 75.9, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Palisade scores 94.1 and the 2026 Ford Explorer 75.9. 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 Explorer or the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
2026 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 15 recalls (3 filed with no repair available). 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 Explorer and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
Where the 2026 Hyundai Palisade wins: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 83 against 53), costs $850 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,950 against $2,800), and is rated 34 combined against 24 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2026 Ford Explorer answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (44 against 136 filed with NHTSA). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars.