Head-to-head
2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Mazda CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 wins clearly, 96 to 88.4, on safety, tech & comfort. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.
F
2026 Ford Explorer
The 2026 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …
vs
A2026 Mazda CX-90
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and hybrid large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-90 4WD, is…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Mazda CX-90
Clear winThe Mazda CX-90 wins clearly, 96 to 88.4, on safety, tech & comfort. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.
Safety 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads by 21.4
Fuel & range 2026 Ford Explorer leads by 4.8
Tech & comfort 2026 Mazda CX-90 leads by 1.7
| Category · weight | 2026 Ford Exploreroverall 88.4 | 2026 Mazda CX-90overall 96 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 97.4 | 92.6 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 74.1 | 95.5 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 98.3 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 88.4 | 96 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 3 of 7 categories compared
Ford Explorer: base trim Active Base RWD · Mazda CX-90: base trim 3.3 Turbo Select AWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Mazda CX-90 wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (15 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 53).
- It is rated 26 combined against 24 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2026 Ford Explorer answers
- It lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 21.
- It costs $350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,800 against $3,150).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $39,300 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | — | 3,283 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop | e-SKYACTIV G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbocharged |
| Fuel injection system | — | Electrically Controlled Fuel Injection |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 280 hp |
| Torque | — | 332 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 23 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 25 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 28 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.58 | 3.692 |
| Transmission speeds | 10 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | manual |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 8 in |
| Overall height | — | 68.3 in |
| Overall length | — | 201 in |
| Overall width | — | 78.5 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 123 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 74.2 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 40 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | — | 14.9 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 142 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 39.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 39.3 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 36.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 41.7 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 39.4 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 30.4 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 4,846 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | — | 4,846 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 6,854 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent | Double-Wishbone |
| Rear suspension type | Independent | Multi-Link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | Rack and Pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 38.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 328 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | Electric parking brake |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 350 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 19 in |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 8.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P255/65R18 | 265/55 R19 M+S |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 17.9 gal | 18.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Ford Connectivity Package | Mazda Connected Services |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 84 months | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 59.2 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 58.1 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 53.3 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
141 features · differences first, then sharedSafety34 differ · 44 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Pedestrian Detection | std | — |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Forward Collision Warning | std | — |
| Airbags – All Rows: Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | std | — |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front | std | — |
| Airbags – First Row: Front-seat Side | std | — |
| Evasive Steering Assist | std | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | std | — |
| Airbags – First Row: Driver Knee | std | — |
| Auto-hold Function | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning | — | std |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Exit Warning and Trailer Coverage | std | — |
| Curve Control | std | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | std |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold | std | — |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (base ADAS suite) | std | — |
| Hill Descent Control | — | std |
| Intersection Assist | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) on Second and Third Row Outboard Seating Positions | std | — |
| LATCH system - rear seat (2nd row) child safety seat lower anchors & upper tethers | — | std |
| LATCH system - rear seat (3rd row) child safety anchor top upper tethers | — | std |
| Perimeter Alarm | std | — |
| Personal Safety System™ (driver and front passenger – dual-stage front airbags, belt pretensioners, energy-management retractors, belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, restraint control module, Front-Passenger Sensing System) | std | — |
| Post-Collision Braking | std | — |
| Rear Seat Alert | — | std |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | std | — |
| Rear View Monitor (static guide lines) | — | std |
| Roll Stability Control | — | std |
| Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | std | — |
| Side-Wind Stabilization | std | — |
| Smart Brake Support (Automatic Emergency Braking) | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | std | — |
| Speed Sign Recognition | std | — |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | std | — |
| Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go | std | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | std |
| Lane Departure Warning System | std | std |
| Lane-keep Assist | std | std |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) w/ Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) | std | std |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Trailer Stability Control | std | std |
| High Beam Control (HBC) | std | std |
| Hill Launch Assist | std | std |
| Engine immobilizer anti-theft system | std | std |
Infotainment21 differ · 21 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Ford App – Remotely lock and unlock vehicle | std | — |
| Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot (via Ford Connectivity Package) | std | — |
| Ford App – Locate parked vehicle | std | — |
| 10.25" Full Color Center Display | — | std |
| 5G Modem | std | — |
| 8-speaker sound system | — | std |
| 911 Assist® | std | — |
| Alexa Built-In | — | std |
| Android Auto™ integration (wired) | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay™ integration (wired) | — | std |
| Audio – AM/FM Stereo, MP3 Capable, Six (6) Speakers, Speed-Compensated Volume, SiriusXM® with 360L | std | — |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-year Included) | std | — |
| Ford Connectivity Package (One-time purchase – 7 years) (91D) | opt | — |
| Ford Digital Experience – 13.2" Color LCD Touchscreen in IP Center-Stack with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Wireless Compatibility | std | — |
| Ford Power-Up Software Update Capability | std | — |
| Mazda Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi powered by AT&T | — | std |
| Paddle Shifters | — | std |
| SiriusXM with 360L (3-year plan) (94B) | opt | — |
| Steering Wheel with Mounted Features – Audio Controls | std | — |
| USB Inputs - Center Console Type C x 4 (Front x 2 and Rear x 2) | — | std |
| USB Ports, First Row and Second Row (Ford Digital Experience standard); Third Row USB included on 200A+ | std | — |
Convenience5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power Rear Liftgate with programmable height adjustment | — | std |
| Power Windows with one-touch auto up/down feature (4) | — | std |
| Manual Liftgate | std | — |
| 12V power outlet | — | std |
| Powerpoints (12V) – three (3) | std | — |
| Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System | std | std |
Climate2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Row AC vents | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | std | — |
| Air conditioning - automatic climate control operation with three zones | std | std |
Seating10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-row bench seats with 60/40 split fold-down reclining | — | std |
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat w/ power lumbar support and 2-position memory | — | std |
| 2nd-row captain's chairs with armrests and center walk through, reclining seatback | std | — |
| 3rd row seats - 3 seats (60/40 split fold-down) | — | std |
| 4-way manual front passenger seat | — | std |
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat w/ power lumbar support (without memory) | — | std |
| Max Seating Capacity | — | std |
| Seat Material - Leatherette | — | std |
| Seats – Second Row 35/30/35 Bench with E-Z Entry and Armrests (17U) | opt | — |
| Unique Cloth Seating | std | — |
Interior7 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 7-inch TFT LCD meter display | — | std |
| Compass | std | — |
| Fully Digital Cluster/Meter Display - 12.3 in | std | — |
| Interior Mid Panel - Hard Black | — | std |
| Rotary Gear Shift Dial | std | — |
| Steering wheel - leather-wrapped w/ bright ring decoration | — | std |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | std | — |
| Rearview mirror - manual day/night | std | std |
| Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors w/ illumination | std | std |
| Floor mats - carpeted front, 2nd-row and 3rd-row | std | std |
| Storage - overhead console with sunglasses holder | std | std |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B | std | std |
Exterior22 differ · 25 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18" Spare Wheel and Jack Kit (76U) | opt | — |
| 19X8.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish | — | std |
| 265/55 R19 tires w/ Alloy - Silver | — | std |
| Active Grille Shutters | std | — |
| Badging - AWD | — | std |
| Badging - Inline6 - Chrome | — | std |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | std | — |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | std | — |
| Front Grill Mesh - Honeycomb - with Black Finish | — | std |
| Headlights - LED with Auto-Leveling | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lamp | — | std |
| LED Low and High Beam Headlamps with Courtesy Delay / Wiper-Activated | std | — |
| LED Taillamps | std | — |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Rear window defogger with timer | — | std |
| Roof Rails - aluminum with satin chrome finish | — | std |
| Signature Wing - Chrome | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | std | — |
| Wheel arch Molding - Black | — | std |
| Windshield Wipers - Rain-Sensing, Variable-Intermittent | — | std |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | std | — |
| Spare Tire Type - Temporary | — | std |
| Side mirrors - driver and passenger heated | std | std |
| Privacy glass - rear side windows and rear liftgate glass | std | std |
| Rear Roof Spoiler - Body Color | std | std |
Powertrain13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| Battery Saver | std | — |
| e-SKYACTIV® G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbocharged engine | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) | — | std |
| Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) | std | — |
| Engine – 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop | std | — |
| Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® | std | — |
| M Hybrid Boost (48V Mild Hybrid) | — | std |
| Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive): Sports/Off Road | — | std |
| Off-Road Traction Assist | — | std |
| Selectable Drive Modes | std | — |
| Transmission – 10-Speed Automatic | std | — |
| Transmission, SKYACTIV®-Drive 8-Speed AT with manual-shift mode | — | std |
Chassis4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Double Wishbone Suspension | — | std |
| Independent Front and Rear Suspension | std | — |
| Independent rear multi-link suspension with stabilizer bar | — | std |
| Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) | — | std |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | std | — |
| Storage - cargo area storage boxes and under floor storage | — | std |
| Towing Capacity up to 3,500 lbs. | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPFord Explorer
Safety Signal 53 F
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 15 · 3 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 44 · 3 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (11), Unspecified (11), Visibility/Wiper (7)
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 26V581000 · 7 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V548000 · 10,001 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V532000 · 6 vehicles
- high Seats 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles · filed unfixed
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V205000 · 278 vehicles
Mazda CX-90
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 15 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (9), Unspecified (3), Steering (3)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Ford ExplorerActive Base RWD | Mazda CX-903.3 Turbo Select AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $39,300 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 12 trims | $39,300 – $58,700 9 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | PHEV, HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Explorer RWD | CX-90 4WD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 24 | 26 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,800 | $3,150 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Ford Explorer or the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
The Mazda CX-90 wins clearly, 96 to 88.4, on safety, tech & comfort. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Mazda CX-90 scores 96 and the 2026 Ford Explorer 88.4. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Ford Explorer or the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
2026 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 15 recalls (3 filed with no repair available). 2026 Mazda CX-90: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Ford Explorer and the 2026 Mazda CX-90?
Where the 2026 Mazda CX-90 wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (15 against 44 filed with NHTSA), has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 53), and is rated 26 combined against 24 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2026 Ford Explorer answers: it lists 33 standard driver-assist features against 21 and costs $350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($2,800 against $3,150). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars.