Ford Expedition vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2025 Ford Expedition was a testament to the form-over-function design ethos, reminiscent of a modern school bus but with a more attractive flair. Its slab sides and rectilinear silhouette ensured ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, making it clear that this vehicle was designed for transporting people comfortably. Despite its functional design, Ford's designers did not completely disregard styling. The Expedition featured horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights framing a bold grille, integrated headlights, and off-roading lamps on the Tremor trim, contributing to its full-width appearance. The blacked-out pillars and distinct character line added subtle sophistication, while the new split-gate tailgate design offered practical benefits for luggage management and seating convenience.

The Expedition was available in four trim levels: Active, Platinum, Tremor, and King Ranch, with two lengths to choose from. The King Ranch trim boasted luxurious Del Rio leather seating, while the entry-level Active trim impressed with its ActiveX synthetic leather upholstery and standard features like tri-zone automatic climate control and a 24-inch panoramic driver information display. The interior's minimalist design, highlighted by the futuristic displays, provided a surprisingly modern feel for such a large vehicle.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, sold in Canada in Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, integrated seamlessly into the gas-only Palisade lineup. The base Luxury trim came standard with 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille framed by LED projector headlights and five large LED daytime running lights. The Palisade's profile featured body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities on the Luxury Hybrid trim, and acoustic side glass for a quieter ride. The rear view was equally striking, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name and stacks of LED taillights wrapping around the corners.

Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with its thoughtful design and craftsmanship. The base gas-only trims offered H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, while higher trims added features like Nappa leather upholstery and integrated driver’s seat memory settings. The interior was filled with organic shapes and well-considered storage solutions, providing a richer feeling of craftsmanship compared to other non-luxury crossovers. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was comfortable and spacious, with dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C power outlets, and a variety of seating configurations to accommodate different needs.

The 2025 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged “EcoBoost” 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Tremor trim offered a high-output version with 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Despite its 2,628-kilogram curb weight, the Expedition's powertrain excelled on highways, providing a comfortable and quiet ride. The ten-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth shifts, and the multi-link rear suspension handled rough terrain with ease. The Tremor trim, with its increased ground clearance and off-road enhancements, performed admirably on challenging courses, although its size limited its hardcore off-roading capabilities. However, the Expedition's fuel economy was a downside, with ratings of 15.4 L/100 km in the city and 10.7 on the highway.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system optimized power distribution, resulting in impressive performance and fuel efficiency. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was notably quiet, thanks to noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass. The steering was sharp and responsive, although the pedal feel was somewhat soft. Overall, the Palisade Hybrid offered a delightful driving experience, with a balance of power and efficiency.

The 2025 Ford Expedition excelled in towing capacity, with a maximum of 4,350 kilograms, surpassing the Chevrolet Tahoe. Inside, the Expedition offered ample cargo space, with 611 litres behind the third row in the standard model and 1,022 litres in the Expedition Max. With all rear seats down, the Expedition provided up to 3,072 litres of space, while the Expedition MAX offered 3,485 litres. The minimalist interior design featured touch-sensitive trackpads and a touchscreen for climate controls, which some users found high-tech but potentially cumbersome.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others like the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90. The second-row legroom was slightly compromised due to the battery's position, but the cabin remained comfortable and spacious. The Palisade Hybrid featured dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C power outlets, and various seating configurations. The interior was filled with thoughtful storage solutions, providing convenience and comfort for passengers.

The 2025 Ford Expedition featured a groundbreaking 24-inch driver information display, offering ample space for Google Maps projection and customizable widgets. The 13.2-inch touchscreen display, powered by a Google-based operating system, provided access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play store. However, the Ford Connectivity Package was required for full functionality, with a subscription cost after the first year.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The standard Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows, and higher trims added a 14-speaker Bose stereo and a built-in dashcam. The Palisade Hybrid introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the gas engine was off, provided the hybrid battery had sufficient charge.

The 2025 Ford Expedition had not yet been rated by the NHTSA, and the IIHS ratings were based on a previous-generation model. However, it came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. BlueCruise 1.4 was available on all trims, offering hands-free driving capabilities with a subscription cost after a 90-day trial.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a robust suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors included a safe-exit alert indicator. The 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.