The 2026 Ford Explorer remains a performance-heavy hitter in the SUV world, but it’s facing some serious competition from the Hyundai Palisade, which just rolled out a radical second-generation redesign. While Ford sticks to its rugged roots, Hyundai is leaning into a more futuristic, high-end vibe. Here is how these two mid-size giants compare for the 2026 model year.