Compare 2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Mazda CX-9

2021 Ford Explorer
2021 Mazda CX-9
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Base 4WD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD 20 27 $33,878 $34,925
Explorer Base RWD 21 28 $31,938 $32,925
Explorer King Ranch 4WD 18 24 $52,416 $54,600
Explorer King Ranch RWD 18 24 $50,496 $52,600
Explorer Limited 4WD 20 27 $45,365 $47,255
Explorer Limited RWD 21 28 $43,445 $45,255
Explorer Platinum 4WD 23 26 $51,202 $53,335
Explorer Platinum RWD 18 24 $50,621 $52,730
Explorer ST 4WD 18 24 $47,040 $49,000
Explorer Timberline 4WD 19 23 $44,174 $46,015
Explorer XLT 4WD 20 27 $35,592 $37,075
Explorer XLT RWD 21 28 $33,672 $35,075
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
Pricing
Invoice Price
$33,878
$40,848
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$34,925
$43,180
Monthly Payment Estimate
$582 / month
$720 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.0
6.5
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
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
20 mpg 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)
43 41
Third Head Room (in)
38.9 35.4
Passenger Capacity
7 6
Front Hip Room (in)
59.2 56.7
Third Shoulder Room (in)
54.6 53.1
Second Leg Room (in)
39 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)
59 58.6
Brakes
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.6 12.8
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
13.6 12.6
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
17.9 19.5
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
- 38.8
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P255/65HR18 P255/50VR20
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P255/65HR18 P255/50VR20
Spare Tire Size
Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
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 Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 X 7.5 20 X 8.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum 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 NA
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 Gasoline Direct Injection
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
23 23
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
27 26
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
20 20
Transmission
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.58 4.41
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
2.15 1.45
Trans Type
10 6
Drivetrain
Four Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.52 0.71
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
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 NA
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.77 1.00
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/OD 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 Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Multi-Link
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.7 7.7
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

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