2026 Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade
When you’re determining the right SUV for your family adventures around Salisbury, Kannapolis, Lexington, and Mooresville, there’s a lot to consider. There are many new and redesigned choices, including the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. If you’re considering the Palisade versus the Ford Explorer, you’ve come to the right place because our team at Cloninger Ford is here to help!
This guide to the Explorer vs. Palisade will show you what each vehicle offers and how they differ. By learning more about these differences, you’ll be able to determine which of these SUVs is the right fit for your household.
Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade Performance & Efficiency
Explorer and Palisade each come standard with completely different engines. The Ford Explorer features a 2.3L Turbocharged EcoBoost® 4-cylinder engine, putting out 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
The standard engine in the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a 3.5L V6 engine that makes less power and torque. It generates up to 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. While the standard Explorer powertrain already offers more strength, if you seek even more power, a 400-horsepower 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 engine with 415 lb-ft of torque is also available on Explorer.
Despite offering more power, Explorer is also rated for better efficiency and has a larger fuel tank for greater cruising range. The standard 2WD Explorer is rated for up to an EPA estimated 20 MPG city/29 MPG highway/24 MPG combined, compared to the 2WD Palisade's rating of 19/25/21 respectively. In fact, Explorers with the 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 and AWD are rated for up to 25 mpg highway, same as the less powerful standard Palisade. EcoBoost® V6 Explorers also have a 20.2 gallon fuel tank compared to the 19 gallon tank in Palisade and resulting in a longer highway cruising range of more than 500 miles for the Explorer, compared to 475 miles for Palisade.
Explorer also features greater standard ground clearance over Palisade: 7.9 inches versus 7.4 inches.
Interior Comfort & Technology
The Hyundai Palisade and the Ford Explorer each offer spacious cabins, with 3 rows of seating for their passengers. Both SUVs include more than 152 cubic feet of passenger space, or more than 85 cubic feet of cargo space with all rear seats folded. The Explorer is nearly an inch wider outside than Palisade, meaning it offers a bit more width inside as well. The Explorer first row features 59.2" hip and 62.1" shoulder room compared to Palisade's 58.8" and 61.4" respectively. The second row of Explorer has 59.1" hip and 61.9" shoulder room versus Palisade's 56.7" and 61" respectively.
Explorer also offers a variety of tech and convenience over Palisade. The 2026 Palisade featuers a standard 12.3" center infotainment display, but this is still smaller than Explorer's 13.2" screen. Explorer also features a 12.3" instrument panel display standard, while Palisade's standard display is 4.2". The standard Explorer Active also features a power driver's seat standard, a feature not found on the base Palisade SE.
Safety
The Ford Explorer and the Honda Pilot both come standard with driver-assisting technology features. These features use exterior sensors to measure distance and speed to help you avoid a potential collision or unintentional lane departure. In addition to features, a high safety rating is also important in a family vehicle. This is another area that Ford ranks highly: Explorer is rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, higher than Hyundai Palisade's Top Safety Pick rating.
Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade: Choosing Your Next SUV
We hope this side-by-side comparison of the Explorer vs. Palisade has helped to detail what these respective SUVs offer, and how they differ. While you’re now aware what they come with and what they can do on the road, you also know the Ford Explorer simply offers you more.
One area that Explorer isn't more than Palisade is price. The 2026 Explorer starts at $38,465, while 2026 Palisade starts higher at $39,435 (prices exclude destination). Explorer offers safety, capability, convenience, all in a more affordable package. And see what special Cloninger Ford offers and manufacturer incentives may also be available on Explorer for even greater savings.
Find out more by scheduling a test drive with us to see how the Ford Explorer will handle on the roads of Salisbury, Kannapolis, Lexington, and Mooresville!
| Monday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Thursday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Friday | 9:00AM - 7:00PM |
| Saturday | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Thursday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Friday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Saturday | 8:00AM - 1:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Thursday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Friday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Saturday | 8:00AM - 1:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Thursday | 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Friday | 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |