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Features Comparison: Mazda RX-8 vs. Ford Explorer
| Model Year | 2006 | 2006 | 2006--2018 | 2006--2018 | 2006--2018 | 2006--2018 |
| Model | RX-8 | RX-8 | Explorer | Explorer | Explorer | Explorer |
| Trim | Base (automatic) | Base (manual) | XLS | XLT | Eddie Bauer | Limited |
| Engines | ||||||
| Transmissions | ||||||
| Drivetrains | ||||||
| Final Drive Ratios | ||||||
| Tires | ||||||
| Audio Systems | ||||||
| Accessories | ||||||
| Unlock the car by entering a code on a door-mounted keypad. | ||||||
| Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||||
| Pedals adjust fore-and-aft to provide the optimal relationship with the steering wheel. | ||||||
| Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | ||||||
| Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||
| Homelink. | ||||||
| Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||||
| Rear disc brakes. | ||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||
| Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||||
| Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||||
| Torso-level front row airbags, usually contained in the seats. Many also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||
| Deploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others. | ||||||
| Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||||
| Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||||
| Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||||
| When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||||
| Cargo Management | ||||||
| Above floor system for organizing cargo. | ||||||
| Hitch rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Capacity of the vehicle could be lower. | ||||||
| Hitch rated for up to 5,000 pounds. Capacity of the vehicle could be lower. | ||||||
| Usually part of an overhead console. | ||||||
| Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||||
| Requires roof rails. Together constitute a roof rack. | ||||||
| No crossbars. | ||||||
| Second-row center console that rises to armrest height, and usually includes storage. | ||||||
| Large storage area beneath the load floor, often compartmentalized. | ||||||
| Includes four-wire harness, limited to relatively small trailers. | ||||||
| Includes seven-wire harness, necessary for larger trailers. | ||||||
| Climate Control | ||||||
| Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||
| Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||
| Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||||
| Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | ||||||
| Fan speed and/or temperature can be manually set for vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Includes value of rear vents. | ||||||
| Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||||
| A second evaporator provides cool air to rear vents. Does not include the value of these vents. Includes rear heater. | ||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||
| Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||||
| Makes rain bead up and roll off the windows. | ||||||
| Drivetrain | ||||||
| When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction. | ||||||
| Exterior | ||||||
| Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | ||||||
| Protective cladding extending partly onto the doors. | ||||||
| Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | ||||||
| Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||||
| Flaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks. | ||||||
| Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||
| Extensions to the wheel opening, both decorative and protective. | ||||||
| Infotainment | ||||||
| Includes CD player. | ||||||
| A DVD player and ceiling-mounted screen. Often includes a pair of wireless headphones. | ||||||
| Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||||
| Screen-based navigation system. | ||||||
| XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||||
| Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||||
| Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||
| Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||||
| Headlights automatically turn off. | ||||||
| We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||||
| Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||||
| Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||
| Front row reading lights. | ||||||
| Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||||
| Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||||
| Reports engine speed. | ||||||
| Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||||
| Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||||
| Seats and Interior Trim | ||||||
| All-weather floormats. | ||||||
| Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||
| Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||
| Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||||
| Manually adjustable lower back support. | ||||||
| Manually adjustable lower back support. | ||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||
| Seat powers flat to enlarge cargo area. Also powers back upright. Replaces manual folding seat, and includes the value of that feature. | ||||||
| Seating surfaces are part leather, part synthetic suede. | ||||||
| Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||
| Outer surface of alloy wheels machines to yield a bright finish. Replace and include value of reqular alloy wheels. | ||||||
| Alloy wheels highly polished to yield an almost chrome-like finish. In the past valued more highly than regular alloy wheels. But the term is used so broadly lately, often meaning that only some of the wheel face is machined, that they have the same defau | ||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||
| The letters on the tire sidewalls are white rather than black. | ||||||
| Transmission | ||||||
| Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. | ||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||
Option Package Contents
R3
Touring Package
Grand Touring Package
GT / R3
Premium Package
Touring Package
Grand Touring Package
GT / R3
Premium Package
Package 201A
Trailer Tow Package - Class III
Multicontour front seats
Package 401A
Package 301A
Trailer Tow Package - Class III
Package 302A / 303A
Multicontour front seats
Package 301A
Trailer Tow Package - Class III
Package 302A / 303A
Multicontour front seats
See TrueDelta's information for all Coupes
See TrueDelta's information for all Mazda models.
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2006 Mazda RX-8
6-speed manual RWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2006--2018 Ford Explorer
5-speed automatic 4WD w/low range
6-speed automatic 4WD w/low range