2026 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV
2026 Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
4WD · 2.5L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic · 61 MPGe + 26 MPG
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,776 a year to fuel (61 MPGe + 26 MPG), versus $1,938 for the 2026 Ford Explorer (24 MPG). That's roughly $161 a year, or about $805 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Ford Explorer
- Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Ford Explorer | Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,938 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,776 |
| 24 MPG | Combined efficiency | 61 MPGe + 26 MPG |
| 20 MPG | City | 59 MPGe / 25 MPG |
| 29 MPG | Highway | 65 MPGe / 28 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 54 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 520 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 32 mi |
| 377 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 133 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2 hrs |
| Gas | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| 10-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | 4WD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Ford Explorer
- Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 91 2026 midsize & large SUVs, the Ford Explorer ranks 31st and the Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid 25th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Ford Explorer is a conventional gas model, while the Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Ford Explorer or the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid. The Ford Explorer is rated 24 MPG combined and the Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid 61 MPGe + 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Ford Explorer vs. the Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,938 for the Ford Explorer and $1,776 for the Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid.
Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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