Compare

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90

2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Mazda CX-90 — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Ford Explorer

2026 Ford Explorer

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS0 – 6Mazda CX-90 wins 6 of 6 categories
Mazda CX-90

2026 Mazda CX-90

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Mazda CX-90 is more fuel-efficient: 26 vs 24 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $100 a year less in fuel for the Mazda CX-90 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Mazda CX-90 is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Mazda CX-90 has had fewer recall campaigns (11 vs 105).

The two cars

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,458 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.3L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 201 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 123-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,786 lb (Cx90 Mild Hybrid 4dr SUV).

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
26 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
24 city
$2,800
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,700

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
280 hp
–
Seats (most)
8
198.8 in
Length
200.8 in
78.7 in
Width
77.6 in
70.1 in
Height
68.1 in
4,458 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,786 lb

Safety & reliability

10
Driver-assist features standard
13
15
Recalls (2026)
0
105
Recalls, all years since 2005
11
42
Owner complaints (latest year)
13

Interest

23,294
Wikipedia views, 30 days
7,099

Buying used

2024
Best used year
–
2016
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Ford Explorer if…

It doesn't clearly beat the Mazda CX-90 on any measure we track.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (26 vs 24 MPG)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (11 vs 105 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Ford Explorer

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 15 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Mazda CX-90

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 26 MPG combined — 30% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Ford Explorer specs →Full 2026 Mazda CX-90 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →