A common myth trails the 2026 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade around the showroom. People treat the two as basically the same SUV, so it’s tempting to just buy whichever one looks better. Both seat seven. Both tow 5,000 pounds. Both have big screens and three rows. Close enough, right?
That framing misses real differences. Each of these SUVs wins specific categories by a meaningful margin, and which one wins for your family depends entirely on what you’re doing with it around Greenville and Upstate SC. We’ll lay out those differences so you can stop guessing and start deciding.
- Myth: The Explorer and Palisade are essentially tied in capability, so the decision comes down to looks or brand preference.
- Reality: The Explorer leads on powertrain output (300 hp base vs 287 hp) and NHTSA crash-test ratings (5-star frontal and side for the Explorer; no comparable Palisade rating published yet for the redesigned 2026 model).
- Reality: The Palisade wins on cargo behind the third row (19.1 cu ft vs 16.3 cu ft, per Hyundai and Ford specifications) and adds a hybrid powertrain option the Explorer does not offer.
- Reality: Both tow 5,000 lbs when properly equipped, but the Explorer’s standard Class III Tow Package is included on every trim, no add-on required.
- Bottom line: If you tow a boat to Lake Keowee and need the stronger safety scorecard, the Explorer earns it. If your third row is always full of kids and you want more behind-seat breathing room, the Palisade’s extra cargo space is real.
Is the Palisade Really the Better-Space SUV in Every Category?
Only behind the third row, and that single caveat quietly undoes the whole assumption, because families shopping on raw cargo volume hear 19.1 versus 16.3 cubic feet behind row three and figure the Palisade has to dominate every other measure too. Hyundai lists 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.7 cubic feet maximum (all rows down) on the 2026 Palisade. Ford lists 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 85.8 cubic feet maximum on the 2026 Explorer. So the Palisade does carry a real, verified 17 percent more cargo when all three rows are occupied and you’ve got gear to fit back there.
That win is genuine. If your family road-trips fully loaded with six or seven people and real luggage, you’ll notice the Palisade’s rear compartment is the better place to be. No asterisk needed.
But fold the second row, and the gap narrows in a hurry. The Explorer’s 4WD-capable rear-wheel-drive architecture and its flat cargo floor catch up fast, and you’ll find the total volume numbers land nearly identical. Check available 2026 Ford Explorer trims and match a configuration to your typical load. The Palisade wins row three, seats up.
| What You’re Comparing | 2026 Ford Explorer | 2026 Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo behind row 3 | 16.3 cu ft | 19.1 cu ft |
| Max cargo (all rows down) | 85.8 cu ft | 86.7 cu ft |
| Base engine output | 300 hp / 310 lb-ft | 287 hp / 260 lb-ft |
| Standard tow package | Yes, every trim | Requires proper equipment |
| Max towing capacity | 5,000 lbs (standard) | 5,000 lbs (V6, equipped) |
| NHTSA frontal crash (2026) | 5 stars | Rating pending (redesign) |
| Base infotainment screen | 13.2 inches | 12.3 inches |
| Hybrid option | No | Yes (329 hp, est. 34 mpg combined) |
What the Space Difference Actually Means for Upstate SC Families
For Upstate SC families, the space difference splits cleanly along two lines, the trailer you pull to Lake Keowee on a Saturday and the kids you haul to school on Monday, and the two SUVs answer those questions in noticeably different ways. Roll onto our lot on East Wade Hampton Boulevard on a summer afternoon and you’ll hear the same two concerns surface together, a hitch question and a third-row question in one breath. The specs tell a different story for each.
For towing, the Explorer’s setup is the cleaner one. Ford builds the Class III Trailer Tow Package into every single 2026 Explorer trim as standard equipment, which means you’re not shopping for add-ons before you can hitch a pontoon boat for a run down to Lake Keowee. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder puts out 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. If you need the full 5,600 lb rating (and you’re thinking about a heavier travel trailer on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway), that requires stepping up to the Explorer ST’s 3.0L EcoBoost V6, which Ford rates at 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque.
The Palisade’s 3.5L V6 makes 287 hp and 260 lb-ft. It still tows 5,000 lbs when properly equipped, and it’s smooth about it, for what it’s worth. But if you opt for the new Palisade Hybrid (329 hp, rated up to an estimated 34 mpg combined), towing capacity drops to 4,000 lbs. That tradeoff matters if a boat is in the picture.
On fuel economy, the Explorer’s 2.3L EcoBoost in rear-wheel drive earns an EPA-estimated 20 city / 29 highway. On I-85 between Greer and Greenville, that 29 highway figure is the one you’ll feel. The Palisade V6 with front-wheel drive earns an EPA-estimated 19 city / 25 highway. The Explorer’s efficiency edge with the base engine is real, not marginal.
So What Should You Actually Do With This Information?
The straight answer is to buy the one that fits how your family’s miles actually break down, and that means you’re weighing the trailer, the third row, and the highway commute against each other instead of settling it on badge or looks alone. If your situation is larger, a Ford Expedition scales up from here. For most Greenville families, one of these two three-row SUVs is the right-sized answer.
Lean Explorer if you’re towing regularly, if the NHTSA’s 5-star frontal and side crash ratings matter to your household, or if your daily driver math favors the EPA’s 29 mpg highway estimate on I-85. The ST trim’s 400 hp V6 also pushes the Explorer into a different performance tier than anything the Palisade’s base V6 reaches.
The Palisade is the better call if all three rows are genuinely occupied on most trips, if the verified 19.1 cubic feet behind row three matters to your gear-hauling routine, or if the hybrid’s estimated 34 mpg combined rate makes the fuel math work over 15,000-plus annual miles. The redesigned 2026 interior is also legitimately more upscale than the Explorer’s base cabin. We’ll call that a real tradeoff and say it plainly.
Neither SUV is wrong. Each is just wrong for the wrong family. Start a financing application once you know which way you’re leaning, and we’ll have the specific trim you’re eyeing ready on the lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2026 Ford Explorer really outpower the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
On base engines, yes. The 2026 Explorer’s standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder is rated at 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Palisade’s standard 3.5L V6 produces 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and the Explorer’s optional 3.0L EcoBoost V6, available on the ST trim, reaches 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft. The Palisade’s new hybrid powertrain hits 329 horsepower, so that version does surpass the Explorer’s base output. It depends which engines you’re comparing, but the Explorer’s standard power advantage is real.
Which SUV is safer for a family in 2026?
Per NHTSA testing, the 2026 Ford Explorer earned five stars in both the frontal and side crash tests regardless of drivetrain configuration. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a full redesign for this model year, and equivalent NHTSA five-star crash ratings for the 2026 model had not been published as of this writing. Both vehicles include modern active safety systems as standard equipment. For Greenville families where crash-test results are a deciding factor, the Explorer’s published NHTSA scores are the stronger documented record right now.
Which one has more cargo space behind the third row?
The Palisade wins this one. With all three rows in place, the Palisade offers 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, compared to the Explorer’s 16.3 cubic feet. That’s a real advantage if your family travels with all seven seats occupied and needs to pack gear.
By the D&D Ford Motors Team | July 2026
