2025 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV
2025 Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90 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 · 56 MPGe + 25 MPG
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, the most efficient 2025 Ford Explorer (24 MPG) costs about $1,938 a year to fuel and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid (56 MPGe + 25 MPG) about $1,939.
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-90 Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Ford Explorer | Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,938 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,939 |
| 24 MPG | Combined efficiency | 56 MPGe + 25 MPG |
| 20 MPG | City | 53 MPGe / 24 MPG |
| 29 MPG | Highway | 61 MPGe / 27 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 58 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 490 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 26 mi |
| 377 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 168 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 8/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2.1 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-90 Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Ford Explorer
- Mazda CX-90 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 94 2025 midsize & large SUVs, the Ford Explorer ranks 30th and the Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid 32nd for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Ford Explorer is a conventional gas model, while the Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2025 Ford Explorer or the 2025 Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Ford Explorer. The Ford Explorer is rated 24 MPG combined and the Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid 56 MPGe + 25 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2025 Ford Explorer vs. the Mazda CX-90 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 $1,939 for the Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid.
Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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