2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Ford Explorer comparison comes down to what matters for modern families: space that works, technology that protects, and confidence the moment you turn the key. At Jones Bel Air Hyundai, we see shoppers near Towson, MD weighing those priorities every day, and the redesigned Santa Fe answers with a smart blend of versatility and advanced driver assistance. Hyundai builds in three rows across the lineup, available HTRAC AWD for year-round traction, and thoughtful touches like an available full-display digital rearview mirror and dual wireless device charging. The Explorer remains familiar and capable, but its third row is tighter and many of its standout features stay locked to specific trims. With available Remote Smart Parking Assist that lets the Santa Fe pull itself into or out of a space while you stand outside, plus Hyundai’s confidence-boosting 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, the advantages add up quickly. Visit us near Towson, MD to see why we recommend the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe as the three-row SUV that makes everyday life simpler, safer, and more flexible.
| Feature | 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2026 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Three-row seating | Yes | Yes |
| Available all-wheel drive | Yes (HTRAC AWD available) | Yes (AWD available) |
| Max towing capacity of at least 4,500 lb | Yes | Yes |
| 360-degree camera view | Yes | Yes |
| Remote parking from outside the vehicle | Yes (RSPA available) | No |
| Full-display digital rearview mirror | Yes | No |
| Dual wireless device charging | Yes | No |
| Phone-based Digital Key | Yes | No |
| C-pillar assist handle for roof access | Yes | No |
| 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty | Yes | No |
Exterior - Hyundai Dealer serving Towson, MD
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe makes a bold first impression with its H-motif signature LED lighting, squared-off silhouette, and long, upright profile that telegraphs space and capability. The look is clean yet substantial, whether you choose confident hues like Serenity White, Ultimate Red, or Phantom Black, or go adventurous with Earthy Brass Matte. Practical innovations reinforce the design: the hands-free smart liftgate with auto open makes loading a breeze, while the available C-pillar assist handle acts as a step and grab point to reach roof cargo safely. Trim choices tailor the statement. XRT turns up the adventure with all-terrain tires, added ground clearance, and a black chrome grille, while Calligraphy caps the lineup with 21-inch alloy wheels and premium details. The available Surround View Monitor stitches camera feeds into a 360-degree bird’s-eye image that helps with tight maneuvers. The Explorer’s styling was refreshed recently and remains familiar and purposeful, but the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe blends presence with function in ways that curb appeal can’t fully capture—every exterior element feels engineered to serve families as much as aesthetics.
Interior - 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe near Towson, MD
Inside, the Santa Fe turns every seat into the good seat. The long, upright cabin provides real three-row usability, with generous legroom in the first two rows and an accommodating third row, especially with the available captain’s chairs. Available Nappa leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a relaxation function for the driver seat, and H-Tex seating on value-focused trims keep comfort high, while the expansive 12.3-inch touchscreen and available 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster put navigation, media, and vehicle data right where you expect them. Families appreciate the dual wireless device charging up front, and the clever front-and-back-opening center console that’s accessible from both rows. An available full-display digital rearview mirror uses a rear spoiler camera to deliver a clear, wide-angle view that stays bright even when the cargo area is stacked to the roof. Hyundai Digital Key 2 Premium turns your smartphone or smartwatch into a key, so you can leave the fob at home. Compared to the Explorer’s functional cabin, the Santa Fe’s space planning and everyday conveniences feel more intuitive, with standard Bluelink+ connected services included with purchase providing remote start, door lock/unlock, and climate control on compatible trims through the MyHyundai app. For our guests at Jones Bel Air Hyundai, these are the features that turn commutes and kid shuttles into calm, connected drives.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs Ford Explorer Mechanical Specs
From its structure to its traction technologies, the Santa Fe is tuned for daily confidence and weekend exploration. Available HTRAC AWD helps balance traction front-to-rear proactively, and the XRT’s extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires build in exactly the capability most families actually use—stability on muddy soccer fields, gravel roads to cabins, and snow days around the region. The chassis feels planted yet compliant, and the cabin stays quiet even as the road surface changes. Towing is rated up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped, and the integrated roof rails plus that handy C-pillar assist handle make rooftop gear a realistic, safe option. The Explorer’s new Tremor variant adds a lifted suspension, limited-slip rear differential, and all-terrain tires, but the rest of the lineup stays closer to a traditional family hauler. For many shoppers choosing between the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Ford Explorer, the Hyundai delivers a more consistent blend of comfort and poise across its trims, not just the off-road oriented ones. Drivers shopping from Owings Mills and Clarksville will also appreciate how the Santa Fe’s thoughtful packaging makes every parking lot, school loop, and road trip easier to navigate and enjoy.
Powertrain - Hyundai Dealership near Towson, MD
Hyundai’s 2.5L Turbocharged GDI/MPI 4-cylinder delivers an eager 277 hp and a confident torque curve that works beautifully with the gearing to feel strong at city speeds and composed merging onto fast highways. With available HTRAC AWD, power distribution reacts quickly to changing conditions, and selectable drive modes let you tailor responses to weather and load. The Explorer offers variety—a 300-hp turbo 2.3-liter inline-four on most trims and a 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 on the ST and optional on Platinum—each paired to a 10-speed automatic with standard RWD and available AWD. The Ford’s V-6 is undeniably quick, but many families prioritize smooth, predictable response over maximum output, and the Santa Fe feels right-sized for that mission. Up to 4,500 pounds of towing meets the needs of pop-up campers, small boats, and utility trailers, while the Hyundai’s clean engine bay layout helps make routine checks straightforward. Factor in Hyundai’s 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, and the daily peace of mind has a long horizon. As a practical, confident partner, the Hyundai powertrain plays to real-world strengths in this 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Ford Explorer matchup.
Safety - Hyundai Santa Fe vs Ford Explorer
Hyundai SmartSense stacks advanced driver assistance high, starting where others stop. Every Santa Fe includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. Available upgrades raise situational awareness even further: Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and an available full-display digital rearview mirror expand visibility, while Highway Driving Assist or Highway Driving Assist 2 can help with lane centering and even assist with lane changes on the Calligraphy trim. Families love Safe Exit Assist and Advanced Rear Occupant Alert—vital peace-of-mind features for busy schedules near Towson, MD. The Explorer comes well equipped with standard forward collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist, plus available self-parking assist and hands-free BlueCruise on select trims. Still, Hyundai’s breadth of standard features across the lineup, plus Remote Smart Parking Assist that can pull into or out of a space while you stand outside, set a higher bar for daily safety and convenience.
Request more 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2026 Ford Explorer near Towson, MD information
Choosing a three-row SUV is about more than specs—it is about how the vehicle supports your routines, big trips, and the unexpected. The Hyundai checks the boxes that matter most: spacious seating with smart storage, technologies that reduce stress rather than add it, confident power with usable towing, and a long warranty that keeps ownership worry low. At Jones Bel Air Hyundai, we see that focus resonate with families near Towson, MD who want their SUV to be a seamless extension of daily life. The Explorer remains capable and familiar, but the Santa Fe’s thoughtful design—available Remote Smart Parking Assist, dual wireless device charging, full-display digital rearview mirror, HTRAC AWD, and Hyundai Digital Key 2 Premium—consistently proves its value week after week. Visit our showroom to compare both sets of strengths, and take the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe on a road loop that matches your routine. Our team at Jones Bel Air Hyundai will tailor recommendations and explain features in context so your decision feels as confident as the SUV you choose. That is how we help you make the right call, and why the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe stands out as the smarter family choice.
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