Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-9
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2023 Mazda CX-9
Overview
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | Touring |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2023 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 (best) | $38,750 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,302 | $8,980 (best) |
| Median listing price | $45,275 | $26,800 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $64,810 | $32,478 (best) |
| For sale now | 637 (best) | 13 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG (best) | 23 MPG |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal | 19.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp (best) | 227 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.3 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats | 6 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 5 (best) |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft (best) | 71.2 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs (best) | 3,500 lbs |
| Payload | — | 1,434 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | — | 4,409 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in | 8.8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (best) | 115.3 in |
| Length | 198.8 in | 199.4 in (best) |
| Width | 78.9 in (best) | 77.5 in |
| Height | 69.9 in (best) | 69 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-9Touring |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Explorer | Mazda CX-9 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Touring $38,750 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | Touring Plus $41,350 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | Carbon Edition $44,830 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | Grand Touring $45,690 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | Signature $48,460 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | — |
| 7 | Tremor $49,200 MSRP | — |
| 8 | Tremor $56,460 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Platinum $50,660 MSRP | — |
| 10 | Platinum $52,660 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST $53,660 MSRP | — |
| 12 | ST $55,660 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Explorer637 for sale
See all
Used2024 Ford Explorer
Timberline
White Metallic•Deep Cypress12,064 mi$38,246Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
Carbonized Gray Metallic4,535 mi$42,852J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Vapor Blue Metallic4,754 mi$51,942J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
White Metallic•Dark Space Gray2,582 mi$43,878J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Agate Black Metallic2 mi$53,021J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
Active
Agate Black Metallic•Dark Space Gray2 mi$39,024J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
Mazda CX-913 for sale
See all
Used2023 Mazda CX-9
Touring
Jet Black•black46,105 mi$26,800Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Certified2023 Mazda CX-9
Touring
Deep Crystal Blue Mica•Black35,933 mi$30,937Mall of Georgia Mazda
Buford, GA
Certified2023 Mazda CX-9
Carbon Edition
Polymetal Gray Metallic•red41,247 mi$30,000Holiday Mazda
Fond du Lac, WI
Used2023 Mazda CX-9
Carbon Edition
Gray•Red22,386 mi$30,532Coconut Creek Mazda
Coconut Creek, FL
Used2019 Mazda CX-9
Touring
machine gray metallic•black34,835 mi$24,188Knudtsen Foothills Mazda
Spokane, WA
Used2016 Mazda CX-9
Touring
Sonic Silver Metallic•Black196,203 mi$8,980Leith Nissan
Cary, NC
Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-9 FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Mazda CX-9 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $10,302. Live Mazda CX-9 listings start at $8,980.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (24).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,600).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Mazda CX-9?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Mazda CX-9 (5/5 NHTSA overall).