2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Ford Explorer

The Palisade is Hyundai’s largest SUV, debuting in 2020 as a replacement for the Hyundai Santa Fe XL. Since then, the automaker has steadily improved the SUV’s styling, technology, and packaging, and that’s also true of the 2025 Palisade. A redesigned 2026 Palisade is on the way and will undoubtedly improve on this outgoing version.

Verdict: Though the 2025 Palisade marks the last year for the current-generation model, you should still consider one, especially if the deal is too good to pass up. This Hyundai has aged remarkably well and remains more appealing than many of its rivals in the midsize three-row SUV arena.

The Explorer was one of the first truly family-friendly SUVs, and it continues in that role today as a midsize three-row crossover competing against the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander. The current-generation Explorer has been around since the 2020 model year, and the big news for 2026 is a Tremor model that replaces the Timberline as the most off-road-capable Explorer. The available BlueCruise driver-assist system also gets an update.

Verdict: Ford’s SUV stalwart still gets the job done, but it lacks personality unless you go for the ST or Tremor models.