2026 Ford Explorer vs 2027 Kia Telluride

• Compare the 2026 Ford Explorer vs Kia Telluride to evaluate performance, technology, passenger space, safety, and overall three-row SUV capability for your family.
• The 2026 Ford Explorer adds the new Tremor off-road trim, enhanced BlueCruise technology, and updated convenience features, making it a versatile choice for everyday driving and adventure.
• Learn how the Ford Explorer compares with the next-generation Kia Telluride, including the Telluride's redesigned platform, new turbocharged and hybrid powertrains, and expanded family-friendly features.

The 2026 Ford Explorer builds on the significant refresh introduced for 2025 with a series of targeted updates rather than a complete redesign. The biggest addition is the new Tremor trim, which replaces the former Timberline as the Explorer's dedicated off-road model. It features a 1-inch suspension lift, all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, and distinctive orange trim accents.

Buyers can pair the Tremor with either the standard 300-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine or the optional 400-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, providing a choice between efficiency and higher performance.

Ford also updates its technology and equipment for 2026. BlueCruise 1.5 adds Automatic Lane Change capability, allowing the vehicle to perform hands-free lane changes on compatible highways when conditions permit. Inside, the panoramic roof has been redesigned as a fixed glass panel, eliminating the opening sunroof while creating a larger uninterrupted glass surface. Additional updates include revised trim configurations, an available hands-free "Open On Approach" power liftgate, refreshed wheel and grille designs, and the addition of Marsh Gray to the exterior color palette.

These changes further refine the Explorer while preserving the redesigned styling, technology, and powertrains introduced for the 2025 model year.

Kia does not offer a 2026 Kia Telluride. Instead, the company transitions directly from the first-generation 2025 model to the all-new 2027 Telluride, which introduces a complete redesign. The new generation adopts a more upright, boxier exterior inspired by the EV9, grows in size with a longer wheelbase and overall length, and provides additional passenger room, particularly for second- and third-row occupants. Inside, the redesigned cabin features a modern dashboard with a large curved dual-screen display and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the lineup.

The biggest changes come under the hood. Kia replaces the outgoing 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. For the first time, the Telluride is also available with a hybrid powertrain that combines turbocharged performance with improved fuel efficiency, producing 329 horsepower and delivering an estimated 34 to 35 mpg.

Off-road-oriented X-Pro models also receive enhancements to their all-wheel-drive system, terrain management modes, and ground clearance, making the redesigned Telluride more capable while expanding its appeal to buyers seeking both efficiency and versatility.