2022 Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-9

2022 Ford Explorer

Table of Contents Show

Invoice Price
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
Monthly Payment Estimate
The Car Connection's Take
TCC’s Bottom Line
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
EPA Classification
Interior Dimensions
Third Leg Room (in)
Passenger Volume (ft³)
Second Head Room (in)
Third Hip Room (in)
Second Shoulder Room (in)
Front Leg Room (in)
Third Head Room (in)
Passenger Capacity
Front Hip Room (in)
Third Shoulder Room (in)
Second Leg Room (in)
Front Head Room (in)
Second Hip Room (in)
Front Shoulder Room (in)
Exterior Dimensions
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
Track Width, Front (in)
Min Ground Clearance (in)
Length, Overall (in)
Liftover Height (in)
Height, Overall (in)
Track Width, Rear (in)
Wheelbase (in)
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
Brake ABS System
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
Steering Type
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
Rear Tire Size
Rear Tire Order Code
Front Tire Size
Spare Tire Size
Front Tire Order Code
Spare Tire Order Code
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
Front Wheel Material
Spare Wheel Material
Front Wheel Size (in)
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Rear Wheel Material
Rear Wheel Size (in)
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
Engine Order Code
Displacement
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
Engine Type
Fuel System
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
Transmission
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
Trans Description Cont. Again
Reverse Ratio (:1)
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
Trans Order Code
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
Trans Description Cont.
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
First Gear Ratio (:1)
Vehicle Name
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Suspension Type - Front
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Suspension Type - Rear
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
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
Which is better CX
Is the Mazda CX
What is the CX
Does the Mazda CX

#4 in Large SUVs

2022 Mazda CX-9

#7 in Large SUVs

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Get Your Price

Select style

Base 4WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD	20	27	$36,385	$37,510
Explorer Base RWD	21	28	$34,445	$35,510
Explorer King Ranch 4WD	18	24	$53,405	$55,630
Explorer King Ranch RWD	18	25	$51,485	$53,630
Explorer Limited 4WD	20	27	$47,107	$49,070
Explorer Limited RWD	21	28	$45,187	$47,070
Explorer Platinum 4WD	23	24	$52,201	$54,375
Explorer Platinum RWD	25	26	$50,281	$52,375
Explorer ST 4WD	18	24	$49,209	$51,260
Explorer ST RWD	18	25	$47,289	$49,260
Explorer ST-Line 4WD	20	27	$45,849	$47,760
Explorer ST-Line RWD	21	28	$43,929	$45,760
Explorer Timberline 4WD	19	22	$46,387	$48,320
Explorer XLT 4WD	20	27	$38,947	$40,570
Explorer XLT RWD	21	28	$37,027	$38,570

Select style

Carbon Edition AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CX-9 Carbon Edition AWD	20	26	$41,556	$43,930
CX-9 Grand Touring AWD	20	26	$42,370	$44,790
CX-9 Signature AWD	20	26	$44,989	$47,560
CX-9 Sport AWD	20	26	$33,707	$35,630
CX-9 Touring AWD	20	26	$35,742	$37,780
CX-9 Touring Plus AWD	20	26	$38,655	$40,860

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$36,385

$41,556

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$37,510

$43,930

Monthly Payment Estimate

$625 / month

$732 / 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 2022 Ford Explorer hits the spot for families who want more choice in a family SUV—although value for money isn’t a strong point.

The 2022 Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV has slim third-row and cargo space, but has good road manners to spare.

TCC Likes

Lots of options under the hood
Handsome profile
Quiet cabin

Pretty, inside and out
Fab Signature trim
Good safety scores

TCC Dislikes

Hybrid’s disappointing drivability
Cramped third row
Second row’s clumsy adjustability

Poor infotainment interface
Slim on cargo and third-row space
Average warranty

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 Drive

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

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

2022 Ford Explorer

2022 Explorer in stock; 2023s available for order
Lease: From $459/mo
Rebates: No cash offers
Finance: From 0.9% APR

Get Your Price

2022 Mazda CX-9

2022 CX-9 in stock; 2023 coming soon
Lease: From $355/month
Rebates: Up to $500 off
Finance: From 1.9% APR

Get Your Price

Which is better CX

Conclusion. The Mazda CX-9 is good for drivers who need a practical 3-row SUV with AWD but also want something that's fun to drive with a nice interior. The Explorer has more variety in its model range with offerings like the sporty Explorer ST, the off-road-ready Explorer Timberline, and a hybrid option.

Is the Mazda CX

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 and the 2021 Ford Explorer are both midsize, three-row SUVs with seating for seven passengers.

What is the CX

Some of those rivals include the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, and Chevrolet Traverse. But each of those vehicles has a difficult time matching up to the 2020 Mazda CX-9's high points, as we'll show you here.

Does the Mazda CX

The first generation CX-9 was originally fitted with a 3.5 L Ford V6 engine, but, in 2008, the engine was changed to a 3.7 L unit producing 204 kW (274 hp) and 366 N⋅m (270 lb⋅ft) of torque.