2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Mazda CX-9

2021 Ford Explorer

#5 in Large SUVs

2021 Mazda CX-9

#8 in Large SUVs

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Select style

Base 4WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD	20	27	$33,635	$34,675
Explorer Base RWD	21	28	$31,695	$32,675
Explorer King Ranch 4WD	18	24	$52,176	$54,350
Explorer King Ranch RWD	18	24	$50,256	$52,350
Explorer Limited 4WD	20	27	$45,125	$47,005
Explorer Limited RWD	21	28	$43,205	$45,005
Explorer Platinum 4WD	18	24	$52,301	$54,480
Explorer ST 4WD	18	24	$50,717	$52,830
Explorer XLT 4WD	20	27	$35,352	$36,825
Explorer XLT RWD	21	28	$33,432	$34,825

Select style

Carbon Edition AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CX-9 Carbon Edition AWD	20	26	$40,848	$43,180
CX-9 Carbon Edition FWD	22	28	$39,049	$41,280
CX-9 Grand Touring AWD	20	26	$41,659	$44,040
CX-9 Grand Touring FWD	22	28	$39,863	$42,140
CX-9 Signature AWD	20	26	$44,273	$46,805
CX-9 Sport AWD	20	26	$34,116	$36,060
CX-9 Sport FWD	22	28	$32,319	$34,160
CX-9 Touring AWD	20	26	$35,808	$37,850
CX-9 Touring FWD	22	28	$34,012	$35,950

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$33,635

$40,848

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$34,675

$43,180

Monthly Payment Estimate

$578 / month

$720 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Ford Explorer is recognizable, but new. It should be on every family SUV shopper’s list.

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV rewards drivers with good road manners, but takes a penalty in third-row space.

TCC Likes

Wide range of powertrains
Good looks
Great active safety tech

Very attractive
Well-done interior
Good safety gear

TCC Dislikes

Hybrid isn’t refined
Not a great value
Cramped third row

Distracting infotainment controller
Cramped third-row and cargo space
Limited lineup

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

Highway

27 mpg

26 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard SUV 4WD

Small SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Third Leg Room (in)

32.2

29.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

152.7

135.8

Second Head Room (in)

40.5

38.5

Third Hip Room (in)

40.9

40.1

Second Shoulder Room (in)

61.9

58.1

Front Leg Room (in)

Third Head Room (in)

38.9

35.4

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

59.2

56.7

Third Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

53.1

Second Leg Room (in)

39.4

Front Head Room (in)

40.7

40.1

Second Hip Room (in)

59.1

57.4

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.8

57.9

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.9

77.5

Track Width, Front (in)

66.9

65.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.2

Length, Overall (in)

198.8

199.4

Liftover Height (in)

32.8

31.7

Height, Overall (in)

70.2

67.6

Track Width, Rear (in)

66.9

65.2

Wheelbase (in)

119.1

115.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

32.8

30.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

83.9

84.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

87.8

71.2

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

20.8

21.5

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

18.2

14.4

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

48.1

40.2

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

49.8

50.5

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

47.9

38.2

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

58.6

Brakes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

12.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.6

12.6

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

17.9

19.5

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.8

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P255/50VR20

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P255/50VR20

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

3500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5300

3500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

5300

3500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

530

350

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4345

4409

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

20 X 8.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

20 X 8.5

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310 @ 3500

310 @ 2000

Engine Order Code

99H

Displacement

2.3 L/140

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

300 @ 5500

227 @ 5000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.58

4.41

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.15

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.52

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

4.88

3.99

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.00

1.99

Trans Order Code

44T

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.77

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.27

0.60

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

3.49

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Explorer

Mazda CX-9

Body Style

Sport Utility

i-ACTIV AWD Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.7

7.8

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 Ford Explorer

2021 Explorer widely available
Lease: From $319 for 36 months
Rebates: Up to $1,250 off
Finance: From 0% APR for 36 months

Get Your Price

2021 Mazda CX-9

2021 CX-9 selection adequate
Lease: From $289 for 36 months
Rebates: $750 loyalty bonus available
Finance: From 0% APR for 60 months

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