Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Mazda CX-90
Overview
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | 3.3 Turbo Select |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | mild hybrid |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 (best) | $39,300 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,302 (best) | $23,995 |
| Median listing price | $45,275 (best) | $48,500 |
| Highest listing price | $64,810 | $60,530 (best) |
| For sale now | 637 (best) | 249 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG | 25 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 23 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp (best) | 280 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.3 L | 3.3 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I6 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats | 8 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft (best) | 74.2 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs (best) | 3,500 lbs |
| Curb weight | — | 4,846 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in | 8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in | 122.8 in (best) |
| Length | 198.8 in | 200.8 in (best) |
| Width | 78.9 in (best) | 78.5 in |
| Height | 69.9 in (best) | 68.3 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select |
|---|---|---|
| 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-90 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) | 3.3 Turbo Select $39,300 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | 3.3 Turbo Preferred $43,450 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | 3.3 Turbo Premium Sport $47,480 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus $50,270 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | PHEV Preferred $50,695 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | 3.3 Turbo S Premium Sport $54,140 MSRP |
| 7 | Tremor $49,200 MSRP | PHEV Premium Sport $55,500 MSRP |
| 8 | Tremor $56,460 MSRP | 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus $57,570 MSRP |
| 9 | Platinum $50,660 MSRP | PHEV Premium Plus $58,700 MSRP |
| 10 | Platinum $52,660 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST $53,660 MSRP | — |
| 12 | ST $55,660 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Explorer637 for sale
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Used2024 Ford Explorer
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New2026 Ford Explorer
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Carbonized Gray Metallic4,535 mi$42,852J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler
Pooler, GA
New2026 Ford Explorer
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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-90249 for sale
See all
Certified2026 Mazda CX-90
3.3 Turbo Premium
Red7,022 mi$38,500Ocean Mazda West Kendall
Miami, FL
Used2024 Mazda CX-90
3.3 Turbo Preferred Plus
Platinum•Black27,906 mi$29,000Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
New2026 Mazda CX-90
Premium Sport
Soul Red Crystal Metallic•Black Leather3 mi$45,199Westshore Mazda Tampa
Tampa, FL
New2026 Mazda CX-90
Premium Sport
Jet Black Mica•Black Leather3 mi$44,675Westshore Mazda Tampa
Tampa, FL
New2026 Mazda CX-90
Premium Plus
Soul Red Crystal Metallic•Black Nappa Leather Leather3 mi$48,747Westshore Mazda Tampa
Tampa, FL
New2026 Mazda CX-90
Premium Plus
Jet Black Mica•Black Nappa Leather Leather3 mi$48,063Westshore Mazda Tampa
Tampa, FL
Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90 FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Mazda CX-90 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 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $10,302. Live Mazda CX-90 listings start at $23,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (26).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (27).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better seats: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads on seats in this comparison (8).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,600).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Mazda CX-90?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Mazda CX-90 (5/5 NHTSA overall).