Families around the Metairie, Harvey, and New Orleans, LA, areas, are searching for a great vehicle to help them explore the road in style, and the 2021 Mazda CX-9 and the Ford Explorer are two desirable options. But which one is better suited to your specific needs?
To help you answer this question, the team at Paretti Mazda put together this comparison of the two SUVs. Read on to see what sets these vehicles apart—and contact us if you’d like to learn more.
Families come in all sizes, so the interiors of the Mazda CX-9 and the Ford Explorer are customizable to meet your needs. Enjoy seating for six with available captain’s chairs. These second-row seats are designed to add sophistication to your vehicle’s interior while also creating a more luxurious ride for your passengers. Larger families can also enjoy the standard 7-passenger seating configuration that still allows ample space in the cabin for everyone onboard to stretch their legs.
If you’re looking for standard amenities, however, you may prefer what the Mazda CX-9 has to offer. Its baseline model boasts a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob to provide you with superior style, no matter the trim. If you want these comforts with the Explorer, you’ll have to upgrade to a higher trim level.
Not only do the 2021 Mazda CX-9 and Ford Explorer look refined, but they also offer a cozy ride to your entire cabin with standard 3-zone automatic climate control. This system allows you, your front-seat passenger, and second-row riders to each choose the temperature they prefer, so there’s no need to spar over the controls.
During the winter months, you may prefer the added baseline features of the Mazda CX-9, though, which comes with standard heated front seats as well. Choose from three levels of heating to find the best level of comfort to combat chilly winter mornings.
Once again, if you want this feature on the Explorer, you’ll need to choose a higher trim level since it doesn’t come standard.
Technology has the power to enhance your drive, making the ride more enjoyable for you and your passengers. The entertainment systems in the 2021 Mazda CX-9 and the Ford Explorer come with smartphone integration, so you can easily pair your compatible device and enjoy access to your customized music library and favorite podcasts.
With the Mazda Connect™ Infotainment System in the Mazda CX-9, you’ll be treated to a multifunction Commander Control that provides easier access to your listening experience with minimal distractions. This feature is exclusive to Mazda, though, so you won’t find it on the Explorer.
The standard entertainment system in the Mazda CX-9 also measures 10.25 inches—making it perfect for quick glances when jetting down the fast-paced road.
The baseline display in the Explorer is smaller at eight inches. If you’d like a larger 10.1-inch display, you’ll need to add on a special package.
Also only found in the Mazda CX-9 is an available Active Driving Display with Traffic Sign Recognition. This intelligent system projects essential driving information—such as Stop and speed limit signs, navigational directions, and equipped safety system warnings—onto your windshield to help minimize look-away time.
Without this technology in the Explorer, you may not be as alert and could have a less informed drive.
Building upon the security of the Active Driving Display, the Mazda CX-9 comes standard with the following:
Comparable systems are also found in the base Ford Explorer model, so both SUVs will keep your family safe and out of harm’s way by detecting and warning you of potential collisions.
You may find highway driving easier in the Mazda CX-9, though, with Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go coming standard as well. This system automates highway driving by maintaining a set following speed and distance between your car and the car ahead. As traffic slows and accelerates, so will your Mazda CX-9, even grinding to a halt if traffic calls for it.
Want a similar system in the Explorer? You’ll need to upgrade to a higher trim level since this is not a baseline feature.
Of course, you can never be too safe on the road, so the 2021 Mazda CX-9 and Ford Explorer are available with a range of additional extra safety systems.
When parking, these SUVs will lend a hand with an available 360º View Monitor. This system places cameras all around your vehicle to provide a comprehensive view of your surroundings when navigating in and out of tight parking spaces.
The Mazda CX-9 is also available with Driver Attention Alert. This system monitors your driving habits to detect when you may be distracted or drowsy. It then alerts you and urges you to take a break at a rest stop or grab a cup of coffee.
Since this feature isn’t available in the Explorer, you won’t have an extra set of eyes looking out for you on long road trips.
The competition was close at times, but we think our neighbors near the areas of Metairie, Harvey, and New Orleans, Louisiana, will prefer what the Mazda CX-9 has to offer over the Ford Explorer: more interior accommodations, available safety features, and top-of-the-line technology.
So, contact Paretti Mazda today to schedule a test drive of the 2021 Mazda CX-9!
