2025 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

2024 Mazda CX-50
2024 Mazda CX-50
$30,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer
$40,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2024 Mazda CX-50
$30,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Ford Explorer
$40,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$30,300

MSRP

$40,050

Listings

110

Listings

248

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

6.8 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Standard all-wheel drive

  • Classy interior design

Cons

  • Fairly pedestrian performance

  • Noisy (Meridian Edition)

  • Poor value for money

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Comfortable

  • Easy-to-use technology

Cons

  • No hybrid or plug-in hybrid option

  • No off-road trim level

  • Cramped third-row

2024 Mazda CX-50 Reviews Summary

Now in its second model year, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 sits on the more rugged end of the compact crossover SUV spectrum. It’s close in size to the Mazda CX-5, but is aimed at more outdoorsy customers. Those customers have plenty of other choices, though, including popular and well-established nameplates like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. The CX-50 doesn’t offend, but it doesn’t charm either.

2025 Ford Explorer Reviews Summary

Thanks to numerous changes for 2025, the Ford Explorer is a more appealing alternative to the seemingly countless choices in the midsize three-row SUV segment. Highlights include sophisticated new infotainment and safety technologies, improved interior quality, bolder styling, and a simplified lineup offering Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST trim levels. Also, as the prices of rivals have risen, the 2025 Ford Explorer seems properly priced in comparison.

Verdict: Ford’s updates to the Explorer for the 2025 model year have a positive effect on the SUV’s desirability. It looks tougher, it feels nicer inside, and the family-friendly SUV leaps forward technologically. Turbocharged power and a rear-drive platform add driving enjoyment. All that’s missing is a more comfortable third-row seat, an electrified powertrain option, and an off-road trim level.

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 187 hp I4

Engine

2.3L 300 hp I4

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

RWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

7

Horsepower

187 hp @ 6000 rpm

Horsepower

300 hp @ 5500 rpm

MPG City

24

MPG City

20

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

29
2024 Mazda CX-50
2024 Mazda CX-50
$30,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Ford Explorer
2025 Ford Explorer
$40,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2024 Mazda CX-50
$30,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Ford Explorer
$40,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$30,300
$40,050
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.8

Expert reviews

6.8 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Standard all-wheel drive

  • Classy interior design

Cons

  • Fairly pedestrian performance

  • Noisy (Meridian Edition)

  • Poor value for money

Pros

  • Fun to drive

  • Comfortable

  • Easy-to-use technology

Cons

  • No hybrid or plug-in hybrid option

  • No off-road trim level

  • Cramped third-row

Summary
Now in its second model year, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 sits on the more rugged end of the compact crossover SUV spectrum. It’s close in size to the Mazda CX-5, but is aimed at more outdoorsy customers. Those customers have plenty of other choices, though, including popular and well-established nameplates like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. The CX-50 doesn’t offend, but it doesn’t charm either.

Thanks to numerous changes for 2025, the Ford Explorer is a more appealing alternative to the seemingly countless choices in the midsize three-row SUV segment. Highlights include sophisticated new infotainment and safety technologies, improved interior quality, bolder styling, and a simplified lineup offering Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST trim levels. Also, as the prices of rivals have risen, the 2025 Ford Explorer seems properly priced in comparison.

Verdict: Ford’s updates to the Explorer for the 2025 model year have a positive effect on the SUV’s desirability. It looks tougher, it feels nicer inside, and the family-friendly SUV leaps forward technologically. Turbocharged power and a rear-drive platform add driving enjoyment. All that’s missing is a more comfortable third-row seat, an electrified powertrain option, and an off-road trim level.

Video

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.5L 187 hp I4
2.3L 300 hp I4
Drive Train
AWD
RWD
Seating Capacity
5
7
Horsepower
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
MPG City
24
20
MPG Highway
30
29
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

2025 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Ford Explorer2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade2024 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Buick Enclave2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Nissan Rogue2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Chrysler Pacifica2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Acura MDX2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 MINI Countryman2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Lexus GX2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Dodge Hornet2023 Lincoln Aviator vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 INFINITI QX602023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Mazda CX-52023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 52023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L2023 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 INFINITI QX60 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Kia EV62023 MINI Countryman vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Ford Bronco vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Buick Enclave vs 2023 Ford Explorer2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Ford Bronco Sport2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Honda Odyssey2023 Buick Enclave vs 2024 Ford Explorer2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Lincoln Aviator2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Ford Bronco2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Lexus RX Hybrid2023 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Dodge Durango2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Toyota Sienna2022 Ford Bronco vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 MINI Countryman vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Buick Enclave vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Buick Enclave vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Lincoln Aviator vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Lincoln Aviator vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 MINI Countryman vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Kia EV6 vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Lexus GX vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Lexus NX vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Acura MDX vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Ford Explorer2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Toyota Sienna vs 2023 Mazda CX-502022 Honda Odyssey vs 2023 Ford Explorer