2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vs 2026 Ford Explorer
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid (car1) and the 2026 Ford Explorer (car2) is fuel economy, where the Tucson PHEV delivers 11 MPG combined more than the Explorer (35 MPG vs. 24 MPG). The Tucson further extends its efficiency advantage with a 32-mile all-electric range, which the Explorer lacks entirely. However, the Explorer counters with superior raw performance, boasting 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the Tucson's 268 hp and 258 lb-ft. At the entry level, the Explorer has a slightly lower MSRP of $38,330 versus $39,730 for the Tucson. Size differences are also pronounced: the Explorer is 16.1 inches longer (198.8 in vs. 182.7 in) and offers significantly less cargo space at 16.3 cu ft compared to the Tucson's 31.9 cu ft minimum capacity, despite being the larger vehicle overall.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid offers 32 miles of electric range and a 35 MPG combined rating, drastically reducing daily fuel costs.
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer is substantially larger, measuring 198.8 inches in length, providing greater overall scale for family transport.
2026 Ford Explorer
The Explorer generates more power with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, utilizing a responsive 10-speed automatic transmission.
2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Tucson PHEV delivers exceptional long-term running cost savings through its hybridization, despite a slightly higher initial MSRP of $39,730.
Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...
- Daily driving routes are generally under 32 miles, allowing for significant reliance on electric-only power.
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is critical, as evidenced by its 35 MPG combined rating versus the Explorer’s 24 MPG.
- A tighter turning radius and smaller footprint are preferred for navigating urban environments, given its 182.7-inch length.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- Maximum achievable power is required, where the Explorer’s 300 hp significantly outpaces the Tucson’s 268 hp.
- Long-haul stability and towing capability are prioritized, benefiting from the Explorer's longer 198.8-inch frame and RWD configuration.
- More passenger or equipment capacity is needed, even though the Explorer's stated cargo space (16.3 cu ft) is lower than car1's minimum (31.9 cu ft).
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.7" | 198.8" |
| Width | 73.4" | 78.9" |
| Height | 66.3" | 69.9" |
| Wheelbase | 108.5" | 119.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Dual Rear 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 |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| 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 | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.6 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | plug-in hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
| 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 | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 35/35 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 388.5/388.5 mi. | 358.0/519.1 mi. |
| 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. | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 11.1 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | SAE J1772 | — |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | — |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 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 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.1 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.1 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.6 in. | 61.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 59.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.5 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 61.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.9 in. | 59.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | P255/65R18 |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and 2026 Ford Explorer.
How does the electric range of the Tucson PHEV compare to the Ford Explorer?
The 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid offers a dedicated 32 miles of electric range before requiring gasoline usage. The 2026 Ford Explorer, as specified, does not offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain or an all-electric driving mode.
Which vehicle provides better acceleration figures?
The 2026 Ford Explorer is engineered for superior acceleration, achieving 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Tucson PHEV provides a respectable 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, prioritizing efficiency over outright speed.
What is the difference in base price and how does MPG factor into the long-term value?
The Explorer has a lower MSRP at $38,330 compared to the Tucson’s $39,730. However, the Tucson's 11 MPG advantage (35 MPG combined vs. 24 MPG combined) will offset the initial price difference quickly through lower fuel expenditure.
Is the Ford Explorer or the Hyundai Tucson physically larger?
The 2026 Ford Explorer is considerably larger, measuring 198.8 inches in length and 69.9 inches in height. The Tucson is more compact at 182.7 inches long and 66.3 inches high.
How do the transmission types differ between these two crossovers?
The Tucson utilizes a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission coupled with its hybrid system. Conversely, the more powerful Explorer employs a more modern 10-speed automatic transmission designed to manage its higher output efficiently.
Which vehicle offers better utility based on cargo specifications?
Despite being smaller overall, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson PHEV offers superior published cargo volume at 31.9 cu ft. The 2026 Ford Explorer lists a cargo capacity of only 16.3 cu ft in the provided specifications.
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