2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport ignites the trail with rugged capability, promising adventure right off the lot with its agile 172.7-inch frame. Its spirited 1.5L engine delivers 181 hp and an impressive 27 MPG combined, making it the economical choice for explorers. Contrasting sharply, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade boasts executive presence and substantial muscle, unleashing 287 hp from its larger architecture, though that power comes at the cost of fuel economy, netting only 21 MPG combined. The Palisade commands a higher price tag at $39,435 versus the Bronco Sport's starting MSRP of $31,695, reflecting a $7,740 difference. While the Bronco Sport focuses on accessible efficiency and off-road readiness with its standard AWD, the larger Palisade prioritizes passenger space, despite offering 106 fewer horsepower to maintain its FWD economy baseline in city driving.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport wins for daily driving due to its superior 27 MPG combined fuel efficiency compared to the Palisade's 21 MPG.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The Palisade is the clear family choice, offering a much longer overall length of 199.2 inches versus the Bronco Sport's 172.7 inches for enhanced passenger comfort.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Enthusiasts will favor the Palisade for its commanding 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, significantly outgunning the Bronco Sport's 181 hp.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport offers substantial value by saving buyers $7,740 upfront while still providing capable all-wheel drive.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You prioritize stretching every dollar, as the MSRP is $7,740 lower than the Palisade.
- You demand better fuel economy, netting 27 MPG combined versus the competition's 21 MPG.
- Your adventures require standard all-wheel drive performance right out of the box.
Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...
- You need maximum interior hauling capability, evidenced by the Palisade's superior 287 hp.
- You routinely carry many passengers, as its significantly larger dimensions accommodate them better.
- You prefer a higher performance baseline, boasting 260 lb-ft of torque compared to Car 1's 190 lb-ft.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Bronco Sport | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 172.7" | 199.2" |
| Width | 74.3" | 78.0" |
| Height | 70.2" | 69.5" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 116.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Folding Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 3.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | 287 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Torque | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 12 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/30 MPG | 19/25 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 21 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 400.0/480.0 mi. | 361.0/475.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 19.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 44.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | 61.4 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.2 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 6-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 41.7 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.9 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 61.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/65R H | 235/65R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 8.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
Which vehicle is significantly more powerful?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is substantially more powerful, generating 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This is a huge margin over the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport, which produces only 181 horsepower.
How much more space does the Palisade offer for cargo?
The Bronco Sport actually offers more dedicated cargo space behind the rear seats at 32.5 cubic feet, compared to the Palisade's 19.1 cubic feet.
Is the Bronco Sport a better choice for city commuting based on specs?
Yes, the Bronco Sport excels in commuter efficiency with 25 MPG city versus the Palisade's 19 MPG city rating. Furthermore, its smaller 172.7-inch length makes maneuvering and parking easier.
What is the main trade-off for the Palisade's higher performance figures?
The main trade-off is efficiency; the Palisade sacrifices 6 MPG in combined fuel economy (21 MPG vs. 27 MPG) and requires buyers to accept a $7,740 higher initial price.
Do both models come standard with all-wheel drive?
No, the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the listed 2026 Hyundai Palisade configuration uses a front-wheel drive layout.
How do these two crossovers differ in physical size?
The Palisade is a much larger vehicle, measuring 199.2 inches long and 78.0 inches wide. The Bronco Sport is notably more compact at 172.7 inches long and 74.3 inches wide.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool