2026 Ford Explorer vs 2027 Kia Telluride
No matter if you’re a busy parent, daily commuter, weekend adventurer, or all of the above, three-row midsize SUVs like the Ford Explorer can offer you what you require during your travels. The Explorer isn’t just spacious and accommodating for families, it’s also rugged and confident on any terrain and loaded with the features today’s drivers are looking for in their rides.
There are quite a few models to choose from in the three-row SUV segment, and one competitor of the Explorer is the Kia Telluride. It’s known for its great use of space, commanding design, and feature-packed interior. But comparing the 2026 Ford Explorer vs 2027 Kia Telluride, which model best meets your needs wherever you choose to roam?
Here at DePaula Ford, we make it our mission to get our customers behind the wheel of the right vehicles for their needs. In the areas of performance and capabilities, interior and exterior styling, and technology and safety, you’re sure to notice some stark differences between these two models.
| 2026 Ford Explorer | VS | 2027 Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| $38,465 [a] | MSRP | $39,190 |
| 385 | Horsepower | 329 |
| 13.2 in | Screen Size | 12.3 in |
| Yes | Hands-Free Driving | No |
Performance & Capabilities
When you’re interested in models like the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2027 Kia Telluride, chances are you require a powerful and enjoyable ride. Both SUVs can be equipped with your choice of two powertrains; however, if you want a bit more liveliness in your ride, you’ll want to choose the Explorer.
The 2026 Explorer comes standard with a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 300 hp to really add excitement to your daily journey to the office or to school. Unfortunately, the Telluride’s standard 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder only makes 274 hp, which can affect the quality of your ride.
Opting for the Explorer’s 3.0L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 allows you to surge forward with 385 hp at the reins. The Telluride’s only other available engine is a hybrid, which makes 329 hp. Choosing the Explorer not only allows you to enjoy a more invigorating ride, but also ample power to tow your camper to the campsite or your boat to the river, as it’s able to tow up to 5,000 lbs.
Off-Road Excitement
Both SUVs can hold their own on the pavement, but what about when the concrete slips away, and you find yourself in the rugged wilderness? Well, the great news is that the Explorer has welcomed in a new off-road-oriented Tremor trim for the 2026 model year, making it easier than ever to coast over gritty terrain with authority.
With an off-road tuned suspension, increased ride height, and a Torsen limited-slip rear axle, you’ll be able to take on unruly environments with absolute ease in the Explorer Tremor. Although the Telluride has its X-Pro trims in its lineup, which also feature improved ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and more durable elements, nothing beats the Tremor.
If you find yourself off the beaten path at any time, you can rely on the Explorer Tremor’s features and capabilities to deal with any terrain you encounter. With reinforced underbody protection and a commanding build, no territory is out of bounds for this Ford icon.
Interior & Exterior
Both the Explorer and Telluride were built for a crowd, offering three spacious rows and plenty of space for gear, perfect for larger families and drivers traveling with more people and cargo. Although both offer similar amounts of space for cargo, as well as for everyone joining you for the ride, it’s the Explorer that stands out with its comfortably elegant interior.
This is especially the case when you choose a higher-level trim like the Platinum, which is adorned with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, leather upholstery, an available panoramic fixed-glass roof, and other alluring elements. Ambient lighting allows you to customize your ride to suit your mood, while an open cabin design envelops you in a peaceful, modern ambiance.
While the 2027 Telluride has plenty of trims in its lineup that showcase high-quality appointments, its overall look isn’t for everyone. It has adopted an exceptionally modern design for its latest year on the streets, which may be too futuristic for some. Still, you’ll find nicely styled features, including faux-wood trim, captain’s chairs, and plenty of legroom throughout.
Exterior Impressions
Again, the Telluride has adopted a new design for 2027, which is a lot bolder and more rugged than previous models. This may or may not suit everyone’s taste in vehicles, which is why the Explorer stands out with its exterior design. It shows off a more familiar SUV design, with the ideal blend of ruggedness and contemporary styling today’s drivers love.
The 2026 Explorer is equal parts adventurous and elegant, making it a great pick for many drivers. With its distinctive grille design and LED lighting elements, the Explorer certainly makes a statement on the streets. Its available panoramic fixed-glass roof provides an open oasis on board, flooding the cabin with natural light while in transit.
Several wheel designs are also available to help you complete the look of this stylish machine, including 21-inch options on the top trims. Overall, if you want a more traditional SUV design, the Explorer offers it. Unfortunately, the Kia Telluride’s bold, new look isn’t for everyone, with a boxy body and a futuristic front end. If you want a more timeless look with your SUV, the Explorer is the model to choose.
Technology
If you’re looking for a better way to access all of your must-have tech features on board your vehicle, you’ll want to turn to the 2026 Ford Explorer. The Explorer shows off a large and immersive 13.2-inch center touchscreen display, as opposed to the Telluride, which only has a 12.3-inch display available.
This large and exciting display hosts the Ford Digital Experience, which lets you personalize your vehicle like never before. With the ability to download all your favorite apps, personalize your vehicle’s settings to your needs, and more, the Explorer allows you to make the most of any journey you’re taking.
Other Must-Have Tech
In addition to this advanced software experience, the 2026 Explorer offers access to unlimited Wi-Fi capabilities for up to 10 devices. It also shows off voice assistant features and gaming options to help you remain connected and entertained while you’re traveling, perfect for rambunctious youngsters.
Like the Explorer, the 2027 Telluride offers access to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice assistant capabilities, and premium sound systems. Unlike the Explorer, the Telluride isn’t equipped with a software system as customizable as the Ford Digital Experience. If you want a larger touchscreen and a more advanced software interface, the Explorer offers it.
Safety & Assistance
You will find that today’s vehicles are equipped to handle virtually any scenario that occurs out on the open road. With state-of-the-art safety systems in place, your vehicle is watching out for you, even when you’re not expecting it. The 2026 Explorer is equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, while the 2027 Telluride offers an abundance of standard and available safety features.
Both models have earned IIHS Top Safety Pick honors and offer sturdy builds, making them ideal for families and individual drivers who prioritize safety. You’ll find everything from blind-spot assistance and collision alerts to lane-keeping help and automatic braking in these vehicles, making any journey a safer experience for all on board.
Hands-Free Driving
However, the 2026 Ford Explorer pulls ahead when it comes to groundbreaking features that add true value to your drive. Perhaps most exciting is that BlueCruise hands-free driving technology is available for the Explorer, allowing you to operate your vehicle hands-free on 97% of controlled-access highways across the continent.
No equivalent feature is available for the 2027 Telluride. You can take advantage of Highway Driving Assist, which provides you with hands-on driving capabilities; however, this system is not as advanced as BlueCruise. In fact, BlueCruise has been named the top active driving assistance system by Consumer Reports multiple times, performing better than GM’s Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot. If you want a true hands-free driving experience, you’ll find it in the 2026 Explorer.
Visit Us for a Ford Explorer Today
Whether you’re shuttling the little ones around town or embarking on an off-road adventure, you can count on the 2026 Ford Explorer to be able to handle anything you toss its way. It’s a fan favorite for a reason: it offers ample space, impressive capabilities, and advanced features, making any ride more enjoyable and satisfying for all.
That’s why we keep our inventory stocked with Explorer models to appeal to our local drivers here at DePaula Ford. Along with our fabulous inventory, you can also expect to enjoy access to a highly knowledgeable team, competitive financing rates, flexible payment options, and more. We seek to make the car-buying process as seamless as possible, which is why so many drivers choose to partner with us when they have models like the Explorer on their minds.
What are you waiting for? If you want to maximize the quality of any ride, you’ll want to be behind the wheel of the 2026 Ford Explorer. Stop by today, see what we have to offer, and get ready to revolutionize the way you take on your daily journeys, family travels with the kids, weekend adventures, and so much more!
