2026 Santa Fe vs. Ford Explorer: Breaking Down Cargo, Towing, and Features for Three-Row SUV Shoppers in Ontario
2026 Santa Fe vs. Ford Explorer: Breaking Down Cargo, Towing, and Features for Three-Row SUV Shoppers in Ontario
Posted on July 1, 2026
Ontario families shopping three-row SUVs often land on two names: the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and the 2026 Ford Explorer. Both seat up to seven, both cover daily school runs and weekend getaways, and both arrive with a solid tech list. The difference is in the trade-offs, and those trade-offs shape the total cost of ownership more than the shared feature count.
The Santa Fe is offered as a hybrid by default. There is no gas-only version to accidentally spec. Every trim gets AWD and a 1.6L turbo hybrid system rated at 6.9 L/100 km combined. The Explorer offers more powertrain variety and a higher tow rating. Which one fits your life comes down to how you actually use the vehicle.
2026 Santa Fe HEV vs. 2026 Explorer: Side by Side
| Feature | 2026 Santa Fe HEV | 2026 Explorer |
| Base powertrain | 1.6L turbo hybrid, 231 hp / 271 lb-ft | 2.3L turbo I4, 300 hp / 310 lb-ft |
| Top powertrain | 1.6L turbo hybrid (all trims) | 3.0L twin-turbo V6, 400 hp / 415 lb-ft |
| Combined fuel economy | 6.9 L/100 km | 10.4 L/100 km |
| Terrain modes | Snow, Mud, Sand (all trims) | Select trims |
| Max towing (braked) | 2,000 lbs (907 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 413 L | 462 L |
| Cargo behind 2nd row | 1,148 L | 1,303 L |
| Seating | 7 (6 on Ultimate Calligraphy) | 7 (6 on ST) |
Powertrain and Efficiency: The Core Difference
Every 2026 Santa Fe runs Hyundai’s Smartstream 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with a 59 hp electric motor. Combined system output is 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, sent through a 6-speed hybrid automatic to HTRAC AWD. That AWD is not an upgrade; it comes on the entry Preferred trim and every trim above it.
The hybrid system returns 6.9 L/100 km city and combined, 7.0 L/100 km highway on EnerGuide estimates. For a family filling up weekly, that number matters year-round, not just on road trips.
The Explorer offers a 2.3L turbo I4 at 300 hp, or a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 at 400 hp and 415 lb-ft on the ST, Platinum, and Tremor. Power runs through a 10-speed automatic. Base Explorer trims start with rear-wheel drive; four-wheel drive is standard on the Active, ST-Line, ST, Platinum, and Tremor trims.
Just like for the Explorer, the Santa Fe Preferred buyer gets AWD from the factory. The Santa Fe also includes Snow, Mud, and Sand terrain modes across all four Canadian trims, adding real-world confidence on slippery pavement and soft surfaces.
Interior, Tech, and the Trim Ladder
The Preferred starts with 7-passenger seating, heated front seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and HTRAC AWD. The Trend Package steps up to 20-inch wheels, a dual-panel sunroof, wireless charging, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Luxury adds ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, built-in navigation, a surround-view camera, and Highway Driving Assist 1.
The Ultimate Calligraphy is a different vehicle in feel. It trades the third-row bench for second-row captain’s chairs (dropping to 6 passengers), and adds Nappa leather, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a 12-inch head-up display, and Highway Driving Assist 2. HDA2 is standard equipment on that trim, not a subscription feature.
The Explorer carries a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. The Tremor trim includes a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and available BlueCruise 1.5 hands-free highway driving, though BlueCruise requires a subscription. The Santa Fe’s HDA2 on the Ultimate Calligraphy is included in the vehicle price.
Towing and Off-Road Capability
The Explorer’s maximum braked tow rating is 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg). The Santa Fe HEV is rated at 2,000 lbs (907 kg) braked. That is a meaningful gap: if pulling a boat or a loaded utility trailer is a regular part of your life, the Explorer’s figure covers more ground.
The Explorer Tremor adds off-road-tuned suspension with approximately 25 mm of extra ride height, underbody protection front and rear, all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Ground clearance on the Active and ST-Line trims reaches approximately 193 mm; the Platinum goes to approximately 208 mm. The Santa Fe’s ground clearance is 177 mm.
For technical trail work, the Tremor’s hardware package is built specifically for that purpose. For the mixed-surface driving that defines most Ontario weekends, the Santa Fe’s HTRAC AWD, 177 mm of clearance, and Snow/Mud/Sand terrain modes cover the cottage laneway, the winter road, and the light gravel path without needing a dedicated off-road trim.
Which 2026 SUV Fits Your Ontario Family?
For the vast majority of Ontario families covering daily commutes, school runs, and seasonal road trips, the Santa Fe HEV answers the key questions at the entry trim: 6.9 L/100 km combined, standard AWD, Snow/Mud/Sand terrain modes, and a 5-year / 100,000 km comprehensive and powertrain warranty backed by 8 years / 160,000 km of hybrid battery coverage.
The Explorer’s towing lead and Tremor off-road capability are real, but they serve a specific buyer who regularly tows or needs dedicated trail hardware. For families who prioritize fuel costs, year-round AWD without an upgrade fee, and long-term warranty confidence, the Santa Fe delivers those advantages from the base Preferred trim. Those are not features you have to pay into a higher trim to access; they are simply what the Santa Fe is.
Find the 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid at 401 Dixie Hyundai
The 2026 Santa Fe Hybrid arrives with standard HTRAC AWD, a 6.9 L/100 km hybrid powertrain, and an 8-year / 160,000 km hybrid battery warranty across all four Canadian trim levels, from Preferred to Ultimate Calligraphy.
Visit 401 Dixie Hyundai in Mississauga to walk the Santa Fe lineup, explore trim differences in person, and book a test drive that matches your family’s priorities.