2026 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV

2026 Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-70

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,938/ year to fuel
24 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,860/ year to fuel
25 MPG

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,860 a year to fuel (25 MPG), versus $1,938 for the 2026 Ford Explorer (24 MPG). That's roughly $78 a year, or about $388 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

Side by side

Ford ExplorerMazda CX-70
$1,938 Your annual fuel cost $1,860
24 MPG Combined efficiency 25 MPG
20 MPG City 24 MPG
29 MPG Highway 28 MPG
377 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 350 g/mi
5/10 EPA fuel economy score 5/10
5/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 5/10
Gas Powertrain Hybrid
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.3L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 3.3L 6-cyl turbo
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 across model years

  • Ford Explorer
  • Mazda CX-70

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 29th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Ford Explorer is a conventional gas model, while the Mazda CX-70 is a full hybrid.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Ford Explorer or the 2026 Mazda CX-70?

Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda CX-70. The Ford Explorer is rated 24 MPG combined and the Mazda CX-70 25 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Ford Explorer vs. the Mazda CX-70 per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,938 for the Ford Explorer and $1,860 for the Mazda CX-70.

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-70 in other years

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