2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 MAZDA CX-90 Dothan, AL

You won’t find it hard to be satisfied with the 2026 Ford Explorer, but it’s understandable if you’re considering all of your options when it comes to midsize SUVs. We at Gilland Ford have done the research to see how this model stacks up against its competitors in the industry, and this brief overview will show you some of the advantages that it has over the 2026 Mazda CX-90, another high quality vehicle within the same segment!

Technology

Being able to tailor your driving experiences in Dothan to your liking is crucial for your enjoyment, and the Ford Explorer has a standard 12.3-inch instrument panel display that’s fully configurable and significantly larger than the Mazda CX-90’s standard 7.0-inch LCD meter display. You’ll discover that both of these SUVs provide mobile Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities through their respective FordPass Connect and Mazda Connected Services¹, but where the Mazda CX-90 opts to use 4G LTE, the Ford Explorer has a 5G modem that’ll provide faster downloading speeds, less latency, and better capacity across the board. If you’re really looking to dive into the most advanced technological aspects of driving, then the available BlueCruise hands-free system provided by the Explorer will enhance overall control for steering, braking, and acceleration, all while ensuring you don’t drift out of your designated lane on the highway. For comparison, the Mazda CX-90 offers no comparable hands-free driving option.

Cabin

Being able to navigate the interior space of your midsize SUV shouldn’t be a hassle, and with the 2026 Ford Explorer, it certainly won’t if you take advantage of the available PowerFold® third-row seats that are easy to reposition to your liking. Alongside that, the second-row captain’s chairs feature an E-Z Entry system to make accessing the third row more convenient. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 has standard 60/40 split fold-down and reclining second-row bench seats with easy tilt and slide third-row access, as well as a 60/40 split fold-down system for the third-row chairs, so you’ll still get a similar experience to the Explorer, albeit a bit less user-friendly due to the lack of power-folding functionality. Lastly, the Mazda SUV does have a cozy 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and two-position memory, but you’ll simply get a better experience with the Ford Explorer’s available 10-way power-adjustable pilot’s chair for its additional customization.

Performance

When the weekend arrives and you have plans to take a journey to Forever Wild Trails with some friends and family, the 2026 Mazda CX-90’s e-SKYACTIV®-G 3.3L turbocharged 6-cylinder engine can certainly get the job done with its 280 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque, which the Turbo S editions can enhance to 340 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. However, that valiant effort will be outclassed by the Ford Explorer, as it has both a standard 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 3.0L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 motor with 385 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque. The Mazda CX-90 also only features AWD, while the Explorer lets you pick your preference between standard RWD and available Intelligent 4WD, both of which offer six different drive modes to make your journeys to Eastgate Park and other destinations around town feel more unique. Do you still have questions or are you ready to see the 2026 Ford Explorer in action for yourself? If it’s the latter, then review our dealership location details to see how you can reach us!