2025 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

$40,050 · Crossover

$40,075 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between a robust, traditional gasoline crossover like the 2025 Ford Explorer and a fuel-sipping hybrid alternative like the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid can be tough. If you prioritize outright grunt, the Explorer leads with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, offering a powerful rear-wheel-drive setup. However, the Tucson PHEV delivers significant long-term savings by boasting a combined 35 MPG compared to the Explorer's 24 MPG, plus it offers 32 miles of pure electric range. While the Explorer is substantially larger at 198.8 inches long, the Tucson provides nearly double the standard cargo space at 31.9 cu ft, despite its smaller 182.7-inch footprint. Both vehicles start almost identically in price, with the Explorer at $40,050 and the Tucson at $40,075, forcing buyers to weigh immediate power versus efficiency and utility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The 2026 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid wins for commuters due to its superior 35 MPG combined efficiency and ability to cover 32 miles purely on electricity.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

Families will benefit more from the Tucson’s significantly larger 31.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ford Explorer

The 2025 Ford Explorer appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its higher output of 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

Despite a nearly identical starting MSRP of around $40,000, the Tucson offers vastly better running costs through its 35 MPG rating.

Choose the Ford Explorer if...

You frequently tow or need maximum engine power, leveraging the Explorer's 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the confident handling and traditional setup provided by a rear-wheel-drive platform.
You need maximum physical size for larger families or bulky hauling, utilizing the Explorer's 198.8-inch length.

Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...

Minimizing trips to the gas station is crucial, thanks to the Tucson’s impressive 35 MPG combined efficiency.
You have a short daily commute allowing you to utilize the full 32 miles of all-electric range.
You prioritize easily accessible cargo hauling, benefiting from the Tucson’s superior 31.9 cu ft capacity.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Explorer	Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Length	198.8"	182.7"
Width	78.9"	73.4"
Height	69.9"	66.3"
Wheelbase	119.1"	108.5"

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 (with Head Protection Chamber)	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row 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
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.3 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	300 hp @ 5500 rpm	268 hp
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm	271 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	16
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	10-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	35/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	358.0/519.1 mi.	388.5/388.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.9 gal.	11.1 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	80/73 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	77 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	32 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	44
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Extended Cabin Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Infotainment Display	—	12.3 in
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	2	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	40.1 in.
Front Leg Room	43.0 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.8 in.	57.6 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 in.	54.5 in.
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	40.5 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.0 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	56.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	59.1 in.	53.9 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P255/65R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 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.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more efficient is the Tucson PHEV compared to the Ford Explorer?

The difference is substantial; the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid achieves a combined 35 MPG, whereas the 2025 Ford Explorer is rated at only 24 MPG combined. This 11 MPG advantage means significantly lower fueling costs for the Tucson.

Is the Ford Explorer substantially larger than the Tucson?

Yes, the Explorer is considerably longer at 198.8 inches compared to the Tucson's 182.7 inches in overall length. However, the smaller Tucson surprisingly offers nearly 14 cubic feet more cargo capacity at 31.9 cu ft versus the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft.

Which vehicle has more horsepower and what fuel is required?

The 2025 Ford Explorer has more power, producing 300 hp, compared to the Tucson's 268 hp. Fortunately for budgeting, both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel.

What is the main benefit of the Tucson being a Plug-In Hybrid?

The primary benefit is the 32 miles of electric-only range. If your daily driving falls under this distance, you might operate primarily on electricity, saving gasoline entirely during those trips.

Which vehicle is better suited for spirited driving based on specs?

The Ford Explorer generally caters better to performance driving enthusiasts, as it produces 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than the Tucson's 268 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.

Are the MSRPs similar for these two crossovers?

Yes, they are remarkably close; the Ford Explorer starts at $40,050, and the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is priced almost identically at $40,075 before any incentives or options are considered.