2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Mazda CX-70

$40,050 · Crossover

$40,445 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Ford Explorer explodes onto the scene with raw muscle, boasting 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, channeling that power through a standard rear-wheel-drive platform for a surprisingly athletic feel, despite its 198.8-inch length. In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 offers sophisticated poise with 280 hp but leads significantly in torque delivery at 332 lb-ft, paired with an All-Wheel Drive system for superior traction. While the Explorer offers marginally better outright highway mileage at 29 MPG, the CX-70 achieves a slightly superior combined rating of 25 MPG. For sheer usability, the CX-70 dwarfs the Explorer's rear cargo space, offering an enormous 39.6 cu ft compared to the Explorer's meager 18.2 cu ft. Both start near the $40,000 mark, but these fundamentally different approaches—RWD power versus AWD efficiency and space—define the competition.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-70

The Mazda CX-70 wins for commuters due to its superior 25 MPG combined fuel economy versus the Explorer's 24 MPG combined rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70 is the clear choice for families, offering more than double the utility with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ford Explorer

Enthusiasts will prefer the Explorer for its higher peak horsepower rating of 300 hp and its rear-wheel-drive layout.

💰 Best Value

2025 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer offers a lower barrier to entry at an MSRP of $40,050, slightly undercutting the CX-70's $40,445 starting price.

Choose the Ford Explorer if...

You prioritize maximum brute horsepower, as the Explorer leads with 300 hp.
You prefer the dynamics of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle architecture.
You want the lowest entry price point, starting at $40,050.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

Maximum hauling capability is essential, given its massive 39.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
You desire the highest low-end pulling power, reflected in its 332 lb-ft of torque.
You need standard All-Wheel Drive capability for varied road conditions.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Explorer	Mazda CX-70
Length	198.8"	200.8"
Width	78.9"	-
Height	69.9"	68.2"
Wheelbase	119.1"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber)	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.3 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	300 hp @ 5500 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Transmission Type	10-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	358.0/519.1 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.9 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Mazda
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Infotainment Display	—	12.3 in
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Ford	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	43.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.8 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 in.	56.2 in.
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Rear Head Room	40.5 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.0 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	59.1 in.	55.5 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P255/65R18	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	19 x 8.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Ford	Mazda
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Mazda CX-70.

Which crossover is better equipped for bad weather driving?

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 is likely better equipped as it comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, while the Ford Explorer utilizes a Rear-Wheel Drive configuration.

How significant is the difference in horsepower and torque between the two?

The Explorer has a 20 hp advantage with 300 hp, but the CX-70 counters with significantly more torque, producing 332 lb-ft versus the Explorer's 310 lb-ft.

Is the MPG difference between these crossovers noticeable for daily driving?

The difference is slight, with the CX-70 achieving 25 MPG combined versus the Explorer's 24 MPG combined. However, the Explorer has a better highway rating at 29 MPG.

Which vehicle is substantially larger in physical dimensions?

The CX-70 is slightly longer at 200.8 inches compared to the Explorer’s 198.8 inches, and it sits lower at 68.2 inches high versus the Explorer's 69.9 inches.

If I carry large gear, which crossover provides more usable storage?

The Mazda CX-70 is vastly superior for cargo, offering 39.6 cubic feet of space. The Explorer trails significantly with only 18.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seats.