The battle for midsize SUV supremacy is on. The 2026 Ford Explorer faces a formidable opponent in the newly overhauled Kia Telluride. If you're trying to decide which of these three-row haulers you should take home, find out which one stands out below in this Ford Explorer vs Kia Telluride family SUV guide!
Key Takeaways
- Ford introduces the rugged, trail-ready Tremor model to the Explorer family for 2026.
- Kia chose to skip this model year to work on a Telluride redesign.
- As of June 3, 2026, pricing between both competing midsize SUVs remains neck-and-neck.
New Trim Levels and Bottom-Line Costs
Ford injects some serious off-road capability into the lineup this year with the Explorer Tremor. This adventure-focused SUV rolls off the line with a lifted factory suspension, steel skid plates, a rear Torsen limited-slip differential, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in grippy all-terrain tires. The automaker reshaped the front and rear bumpers for better clearance over rocks and steep hills, and the cabin gets ActiveX upholstery that resists staining and wipes down easily after a muddy weekend.
Instead of rolling out a minor face-lift for the current generation, Kia bypassed the '26 model year to drop a total ground-up redesign for the next-gen Telluride.
The entry-level Explorer Active gives you a slightly lower financial barrier to entry, but the price spread across both lineups is close. Here is how the Explorer trims shake out:
- Active: $40,260 (Standard or w/100A Pkg)
- Active w/200A Pkg: $42,380
- ST-Line: $46,950
- Tremor: $50,260
- Platinum: $52,760
- ST: $56,700
Meanwhile, the pricing for the overhauled Telluride is:
- LX: $40,735
- S: $43,635
- EX: $45,335
- EX X-Line: $48,835
- SX: $50,335
- SX X-Line: $53,335
- SX X-Pro: $55,235
- SX-Prestige: $55,435
- SX-Prestige X-Line: $56,435
- SX-Prestige X-Pro: $58,335
Horsepower and Drivetrains in the Explorer vs. Telluride
If you want raw muscle under your foot, Ford takes the prize. Most Explorer trim rely on a 300-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and you have the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. If you step up to the outdoorsy Tremor trim, the luxurious Platinum, or the high-performance ST, Ford gives you a standard 400-hp twin-turbocharged V6.
The next-gen Telluride offers only one less powerful engine--a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 274 horses through an eight-speed automatic and your choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
Powertrains
| 2026 Ford Explorer |
2027 Kia Telluride |
| Standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine; available 3.0L twin-turbo V6 |
Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder |
| 10-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
| Standard RWD; available AWD |
Standard FWD; available AWD |
Explorer vs. Telluride Dashboard Screens and Audio
Ford offers its modern Digital Experience via a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen. With families in mind, it loaded the cabin with eight USB ports scattered across all three rows so everyone's devices stay charged. Upgrading to the premium trims unlocks a concert-quality Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The Telluride counters with a smaller 12.3-inch infotainment screen that you can pair with a matching 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The big news for the Telluride is a new generative AI voice assistant, and music lovers you can upgrade from the standard 12-speaker layout to a more immersive 14-speaker Meridian premium audio package.
Which Three-Row SUV Should You Consider?
While the Telluride is a refined choice for families, the Explorer delivers a much wider range of real-world capability and gives you more ways to match your truck to your actual lifestyle. Reach out today at Jarrett-Gordon Ford in Davenport to schedule a test drive and feel the difference yourself!