Just gone done driving the new 2025 Explorer. I can't get the feeling of how "plasticy" everything felt and looked from the interior. It's a drastic difference when compared to the CX90. Night and day difference just starting with that. When you consider that the Explorer starts with a 4-cylinder compared to the turbo inline-6 from Mazda, it then begins to be a real hard sale for the Explorer. The upper trim Explorers can only compare to the base CX90 in my opinion, but even then, there's thousands of dollars difference in what price they are going for. Really hard to favor the Explorer, and I like to root for Ford! Ben's statement about Ford and other needing to catch up to Mazda and some Korean brands is very valid.
I like both. Bought the 2023 ST due to 0% financing. Check the window sticker, ST comes with the Ford SUV Experience. I attended the one in Asheville, NC. It was amazing. Welcome dinner, free night at the Biltmore (discount with extended stay), amazing breakfast and lunch included the next day, professional instructors to show you the performance and features of the ST on public roads and track for the entire day. By the way, you can bring your spouse/guest as well. The fit and finish of Mazda a bit better but the feeling I got when my foot hit the accelerator made me pick the ST. Left me grinning from ear to ear. Also safety features are amazing. I drive about 35-50k miles annually for work. Love two functions some may not care about due to my long drives: ventilated seats and automatic vehicle hold (saves my back).😊Plus Ford Pass app is free not sure about Mazda but other car manufacturers like Toyota charge extra for the same feature in the app. My previous Explorer XLT didn’t come with remote start on the key fob but I could use my Ford Pass app and remote start my Explorer. Did I mention it was free?😂
It seems like Ford needs to offer extra incentives to make their vehicles appealing, while Mazda sells itself. The Ford ST 2025 was at the top of my list until I saw it at the dealership. The quality and execution were disappointing. On paper, it seems like the best option available, but the actual execution is lacking. After seeing it, I’m leaning towards VW or Mazda as better options ( or even Acure due to price tag for ST around 60k, even if I have to sacrifice some performance. I can’t overlook how poor the quality is.
I’m chiming in just a few days before taking delivery of the (clearly a bit sportier, with dark wheels and blacked-out trim, though identically sized and shaped to the CX-90) TWO-row Mazda CX70 PHEV Premium in Melting Copper Metallic with a Greige leather int. I drive ~20K miles/yr. (hence the 198K miles in my fwd 2015 CX-5 6-sp M/T) for work (contract consulting). I have a feeling the 56 MPGe and 26 miles of electric-power only will suit me more than the slight performance advantage of the (notably more expensive) Ford. But obviously to each their own!
I know it’s sporty but not a fan of the red pipe stitching on the Explorer, nor do I like having to pay a subscription for blue cruise. Not sure about reliability on either
Hi Ben , hope you doing well… if you can do a comparison between the new QX80 and the old one please, that would be awesome. And review the entry level of the new QX80 if you can, big fan of your work. Take care!
The Mazda interior is nicer. For example there was some thought on how the dash and the door panel flow into each other. The trim around the vent on the dash continues into the trim on the door. This gives it a more cohesive and upscale look.
Platinum Explorer should have been used vs ST version. The Platinum Explorer is more luxurious than the ST. It's really not a fair comparison in aestetics 😒
@bk27117 but why did mazda take over toyota Spot in JD rank . I know JD rank isn't really a credible source most times it's false information they literally put chevy as more reliable as toyota haha 😆 🤣
I have owned two Fords in the past and have unfortunately rented Ford products while away from home. I will never buy a Ford again- numerous problems with engine, paint, suspension, electronics, and more. No thanks.
@@angelmontiel9481 Saw one of those Chevys in the supermarket parking lot yesterday. Walked around to the side and that vehicle was in city/county government. Your tax dollars at work!
@issavibez394 "nicer" is subjective and I don't care about resale value. I buy my vehicles and keep them over 10 years. The Mazda does have higher quality materials, but I like the (touch)screen and dash design in the ford more.
IF the Soccer Mom wants to get to the game, and home again,she will not buy the Explorer. Its going to spend a lot of time in the dealership Service Department. Mazda by a mile!
The Explorer isn’t even that bad. Both the 2.3 and 3.0 ecoboost engines are proven and haven’t had major issues. If you don’t need the power then the 2.3 is more than enough.
Just gone done driving the new 2025 Explorer. I can't get the feeling of how "plasticy" everything felt and looked from the interior. It's a drastic difference when compared to the CX90. Night and day difference just starting with that. When you consider that the Explorer starts with a 4-cylinder compared to the turbo inline-6 from Mazda, it then begins to be a real hard sale for the Explorer. The upper trim Explorers can only compare to the base CX90 in my opinion, but even then, there's thousands of dollars difference in what price they are going for. Really hard to favor the Explorer, and I like to root for Ford! Ben's statement about Ford and other needing to catch up to Mazda and some Korean brands is very valid.
Ben Hardy, great content keep up the amazing work
Not easy to pick between these two. I like both!
Ben Hardy, Subscribed because your videos are always awesome!
I like both. Bought the 2023 ST due to 0% financing. Check the window sticker, ST comes with the Ford SUV Experience. I attended the one in Asheville, NC. It was amazing. Welcome dinner, free night at the Biltmore (discount with extended stay), amazing breakfast and lunch included the next day, professional instructors to show you the performance and features of the ST on public roads and track for the entire day. By the way, you can bring your spouse/guest as well. The fit and finish of Mazda a bit better but the feeling I got when my foot hit the accelerator made me pick the ST. Left me grinning from ear to ear. Also safety features are amazing. I drive about 35-50k miles annually for work. Love two functions some may not care about due to my long drives: ventilated seats and automatic vehicle hold (saves my back).😊Plus Ford Pass app is free not sure about Mazda but other car manufacturers like Toyota charge extra for the same feature in the app. My previous Explorer XLT didn’t come with remote start on the key fob but I could use my Ford Pass app and remote start my Explorer. Did I mention it was free?😂
It seems like Ford needs to offer extra incentives to make their vehicles appealing, while Mazda sells itself. The Ford ST 2025 was at the top of my list until I saw it at the dealership. The quality and execution were disappointing. On paper, it seems like the best option available, but the actual execution is lacking. After seeing it, I’m leaning towards VW or Mazda as better options ( or even Acure due to price tag for ST around 60k, even if I have to sacrifice some performance. I can’t overlook how poor the quality is.
I’m chiming in just a few days before taking delivery of the (clearly a bit sportier, with dark wheels and blacked-out trim, though identically sized and shaped to the CX-90) TWO-row Mazda CX70 PHEV Premium in Melting Copper Metallic with a Greige leather int. I drive ~20K miles/yr. (hence the 198K miles in my fwd 2015 CX-5 6-sp M/T) for work (contract consulting). I have a feeling the 56 MPGe and 26 miles of electric-power only will suit me more than the slight performance advantage of the (notably more expensive) Ford. But obviously to each their own!
I know it’s sporty but not a fan of the red pipe stitching on the Explorer, nor do I like having to pay a subscription for blue cruise. Not sure about reliability on either
No comparison! I just bought the Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium. The only critique, thin body paint. After, being a generational Toyota 4Runner buyer.
The ecoboost engines have questionable reliability in the Fords. I would take the CX-90.
I’ll take the reliability of Mazda any day.
Hi Ben , hope you doing well… if you can do a comparison between the new QX80 and the old one please, that would be awesome. And review the entry level of the new QX80 if you can, big fan of your work. Take care!
The Mazda interior is nicer. For example there was some thought on how the dash and the door panel flow into each other. The trim around the vent on the dash continues into the trim on the door. This gives it a more cohesive and upscale look.
Both interiors are just as nice
Just drove them both no comparison the explorer st is much quicker and fun to drive
Platinum Explorer should have been used vs ST version. The Platinum Explorer is more luxurious than the ST. It's really not a fair comparison in aestetics 😒
What is the alternating light on the steering column of the Explorer?
Cx90 for the win
Maybe Im missing something, but didn't you say you were retiring from doing these reviews?
All of these content creators come out with videos titles saying they are retiring or they’re dead (Scotty)…. It gets people to click on their videos.
@@killerb5726 Oh, now I see. This guy was simply lying. Interesting 😒
Are you talking about the video "It's time to say goodbye" where he talks about getting rid of his Jeep? lol
Mazda will last longer
yea
@EclipticKitten yes mazda will hold its value much stronger and the quality is better more attractive and also looks luxury but is more reliable
@@EclipticKitten explorer is good to but the mazda is just much nicer
Have you seen their reliability ratings on the engine in this vehicle....not great
@bk27117 but why did mazda take over toyota Spot in JD rank . I know JD rank isn't really a credible source most times it's false information they literally put chevy as more reliable as toyota haha 😆 🤣
Misleading trim comparison! The explorer doesn't come with 400hp!
I have owned two Fords in the past and have unfortunately rented Ford products while away from home. I will never buy a Ford again- numerous problems with engine, paint, suspension, electronics, and more. No thanks.
Great comparison. You should compare the 2025 Explorer ST against the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse RS.
@@angelmontiel9481 Chevy is trash 🗑 everything about it and quality trash 🗑
@@angelmontiel9481 Saw one of those Chevys in the supermarket parking lot yesterday. Walked around to the side and that vehicle was in city/county government. Your tax dollars at work!
They gave you a car with no fuel practically lol
57k and no vented seats?? Talk about a ripoff.
@@PatrickC139 which car is that
They are dealership vehicle. They never keep them full
$61K for a Ford? No Thank you.
I like the ford explorer
The Mazda just looks like it's too fat and low to the ground
Yes it looks very ballbus looking
@@jmc6000 Or “bulbous,” if you will.
@@bk27117 Fat & low means “sporty,” whereas slim & raised means “goofy”!
Nice Mazda has some serious mechanical issues with engine
@jayczyzyk9707 as if ford doesn't mazda will still last longer
I like the explorer a lot more interior and powertrain wise.
@@dtay8913 mazda is far nicer and will hold value longer
@issavibez394 "nicer" is subjective and I don't care about resale value. I buy my vehicles and keep them over 10 years. The Mazda does have higher quality materials, but I like the (touch)screen and dash design in the ford more.
I love more the explorer.
IF the Soccer Mom wants to get to the game, and home again,she will not buy the Explorer. Its going to spend a lot of time in the dealership Service Department. Mazda by a mile!
@@arnick2 false Explorer isn't that bad
The Explorer isn’t even that bad. Both the 2.3 and 3.0 ecoboost engines are proven and haven’t had major issues. If you don’t need the power then the 2.3 is more than enough.
Explorer by a mile.
Explorer still using a prop rod in 2024. Fail
Yea and the Mazda is 57k without ventilated seat, FAIL!!
Cop car.
The Mazda, only because I don't want to look like police 😂
neither. its the honda odyssey or dodge grand caravan or kia soul
I don’t like the Mazda’s look. The Explorer ST is more exciting and much faster.