2022 Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Palisade: Ultimate Comparison for 2022 SUV Buyers

When choosing between the 2022 Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade, both stand out as top contenders in the midsize SUV segment—but which one delivers the better blend of space, tech, and value?

The 2022 Ford Explorer offers rugged capability with a bold design and strong off-road potential, while the Hyundai Palisade leads with premium interiors, cutting-edge convenience, and refined ride quality. This detailed comparison breaks down critical aspects to help you make the smartest decision for your needs.



**H2: Interior Space and Comfort – Spacious yet Practical Design**

The 2022 Ford Explorer delivers a roomy cabin with generous legroom and flexible cargo capacity, making it ideal for families on the go. With a bold, driver-focused layout and a comfortable seating experience, it balances ruggedness with everyday practicality. The Palisade, however, elevates interior refinement with premium materials, generous overhead space, and a quieter cabin—perfect for long road trips. While both offer seating for five, the Palisade’s higher trims feature upscale touches like massaging seats and ambient lighting that enhance luxury feel.



**H2: Technology and Features – Infotainment and Driving Tech**

The Hyundai Palisade shines with its intuitive Hyundai SmartSense suite, including a large 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and available steer-by-wire system. Its infotainment system is consistently praised for responsiveness and user-friendly design. In contrast, the Explorer relies on Ford’s SYNC 4 system, which offers solid connectivity but lags slightly in customization and third-party app integration. Both vehicles support over-the-air updates, but Palisade delivers a more polished digital experience tailored to modern drivers.



**H2: Performance and Fuel Efficiency – Balance of Power and Economy**

Under the hood, the 2022 Explorer offers a choice of a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder or a 3.0L V6, delivering strong acceleration suited for light off-roading and towing. Fuel economy averages around 18-22 mpg, depending on trim. The Palisade pairs a 2.5L four-cylinder with smooth handling and better fuel efficiency—hovering near 25 mpg city/highway—thanks to its balanced powertrain and weight distribution. While the Explorer leads in raw power, the Palisade offers more efficient driving, especially in daily commutes.



**Conclusion**
The 2022 Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade each deliver compelling advantages: the Explorer excels in off-road capability, bold styling, and rugged charm, while the Palisade dominates with premium interiors, advanced tech, and refined driving dynamics. For families valuing luxury and comfort, the Palisade is the standout. For those seeking a dynamic, capable SUV with adventure-ready features, the Explorer is unmatched. Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you prioritize innovation and refinement or rugged performance—both are excellence in the 2022 midsize SUV market.

Both the 2022 Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade are powerful choices in their own right—evaluate your priorities in space, tech, and driving experience to pick the perfect 2022 SUV for your lifestyle.

Discover the differences between the 2022 Hyundai Palisade and 2022 Ford Explorer with CarGurus. Compare price, expert/user reviews, popular features, vehicle specs and more. How do the 2022 Ford Explorer and 2022 Hyundai PALISADE compare? Use our comparison tool to see over 140 data points, including price, trims, reliability ratings, mpg, rankings, horsepower, depreciation, and standard and optional equipment.

Compare MSRP, invoice pricing, and other features on the 2022 Ford Explorer and 2022 Hyundai PALISADE. The 2022 Hyundai Palisade is a 8-, or 7-seat SUV starting at $41,499 with 6 different trims, and this Luxury trim earns a 4.00 out of 5 overall in our data. It leads to heated competition like the head-to-head 2022 Hyundai Palisade vs Ford Explorer comparison we have here.

The Explorer is a pioneer of this segment going back 30 years and continues to present as an athletic vehicle, especially with the new generation kicking off in 2020. Not sure if the Hyundai Palisade or Ford Explorer is the right car for you? Not an issue. Use Carfax's comparison below to compare reviews, configurations, price and more.

See how the 2022 Ford Explorer compares to the Hyundai Palisade. Compare features, mpg, engines, safety, cargo capacity and other specs at a glance. A fully optioned Palisade - the decadently trimmed-out Calligraphy, like our test vehicle - is less than $50,000, while top Explorers approach $60,000.

The Palisade also has neat exclusive features like a blind-spot camera and an in-cabin intercom, and Hyundai includes three years of free scheduled maintenance. Hyundai Palisade. The Ford Explorer, on the other hand, has just a twin-panel moonroof.

The Palisade is also available with a roof-mounted high-mount stop light centered, but the Explorer is not. 2022 Ford Explorer vs. Hyundai Palisade: Performance The 2022 Hyundai Palisade comes standard with a 3.8L GDI V6 engine while the Ford Explorer has a 2.3L Ecoboost Engine.

2022 Ford Explorer vs. 2022 Hyundai Palisade As Akins Ford analyses the Ford Explorer with the Hyundai Palisade, it's time to settle the SUV score in a head-to-head duel. Both of these SUVs are capable three-row vehicles, yet they differ in certain respects and are comparable in others.