The 2020 Ford Explorer is a brand new design, not simply a new model year upgrade. As America's best selling three-row Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), the Ford Explorer finds itself in the ring with two new competitors - the 2020 Kia Telluride and the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. These two new Korean entrants into the Explorer's home territory drove us at Gillie Hyde Ford in Glasgow, Kentucky to see just how these two new three-row SUVs compare to the redesigned 2020 Ford Explorer.

Engine Choices of the New Ford Explorer Over Kia & Hyundai SUVs

 

Engine choice is a really good place to begin assessing the strength of Explorer's new competition. The 2020 Ford Explorer has four engine choices. With both the 2020 Kia Telluride and 2020 Hyundai Palisade you don't have a choice. The Kia and Hyundai three seat SUVs come with one engine only, a direct-injected 3.8L V6 engine that produces only 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine doesn't even produce as much horsepower and torque as the Explorer's smaller standard 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which powers up 300 horses with 310 lb-ft of torque. 

The 2020 Explorer's 2.3L EcoBoost engine can tow up to a maximum of 5,300 pounds, which is 300 pounds more than the Kia or Hyundai. Consider that this Ford engine has two fewer pistons and 1.5L less displacement, making it over 40% smaller than Kia or Hyundai's engine. And, that's the smallest, base Explorer engine. 

Explorer's three larger engine options, a 3.0L V6 EcoBoost, an enhanced, higher-output 3.0L V6 and a 3.3L Atkinson cycle hybrid all develop more horsepower and torque than the Kia and Hyundai engine. And, all can tow significantly more, too.

But, let's not beat a dead horse.

New Ford Explorer Has More Selectable Drive Modes than Kia & Hyundia SUVs

 

Ford, Kia, and Hyundai offer selectable drive modes to adjust the vehicle to different road and driving conditions. While the Ford Explorer has seven different drive modes: Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Deep Snow/Sand, Trail and Eco modes, the Kia and Hyundai SUVs only have four: Eco, Smart, Sport, and Comfort.

Similar Safety Options of the New Explorer, Kia and Hyundai SUVs

Where the 2020 Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade do come close to Ford is with their safety and convenience options. Features such as lane-keeping assist, blind-spot information monitoring, forward collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and pedestrian detection and braking, are all found on the 2020 Ford Explorer and the 2020 Kia Telluride and 2020 Hyundai Palisade.

It looks as if Hyundai and Kia will have to go back to the drawing board and try again if they are going to even come close to beating the new 2020 Ford Explorer. At Gillie Hyde Ford in Glasgow, Kentucky there is one thing we are sure of - the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade won't be getting close to beating Ford Explorer in 2020.

When you're ready to test drive the all-new Ford Explorer for 2020, contact us at Gillie Hyde Ford in Glasgow, Kentucky. We have a large stock of 2020 Ford Explorers, newly designed and newly arrived. We'd be delighted to show you all the new features the new Ford Explorer has to beat its competition, both foreign or domestic.

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Gillie Hyde Ford Lincoln Inc.

610 Happy Valley Road
Directions Glasgow, KY 42141

  • Sales: (270) 651-2125
  • Service: (270) 651-2125
  • Parts: (270) 651-2125

Hours

  • Monday 8am-6pm
  • Tuesday 8am-6pm
  • Wednesday 8am-6pm
  • Thursday 8am-6pm
  • Friday 8am-6pm
  • Saturday 9am-4pm
  • Sunday Closed