Overview
Mazda’s current CX-9 crossover has long been a favorite among our staff but the larger and more premium 2024 CX-90 three-row SUV is poised to move the company’s biggest SUV further up the luxury mountain. The CX-90 has debuted with a new turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine, making either 280 or 340 horsepower, as well as a plug-in-hybrid powertrain option. Mazda’s premium aspirations are on full display here, with range-topping variants of the three-row eight-seater offering more luxury features than the brand’s current crop of SUVs. Its styling is handsome, and the CX-90’s cabin design borrows cues from the smaller CX-50 and MX-30 SUVs. The all-new architecture that the CX-90 is built on is expected to also spawn a two-row SUV named CX-70, which should go on sale shortly after the CX-90.
What’s New for 2024?
The CX-90 is a new nameplate for the Mazda brand that will replace the CX-9 when it goes on sale in spring 2023 as a 2024 model.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’re most enamored by the new inline-six in its top S tune which pumps out 340 horsepower. The S model also comes well equipped with niceties such as second-row captain’s chairs, a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, interior ambient lighting, 21-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power liftgate, and more.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The CX-90 is the first Mazda to use a new turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine that is augmented by a 48-volt hybrid system. Mazda says the powertrain is good for 280 horsepower in non-S trims and 340 in S trims. An inline-six-cylinder engine is a hallmark of SUVs such as the BMW X5 and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, signaling Mazda’s desire to move its brand even more toward the premium end of the market. A plug-in-hybrid variant is also offered, using the same 323-hp setup used in the European-market CX-60 SUV, comprised of an inline four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 17.8-kWh battery pack. All models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and, much like the rest of the Mazda SUV lineup, the CX-90 has all-wheel drive standard. During our initial test drive, we sampled both the plug-in hybrid and the top-spec S model, both of which offered plenty of power for city and highway driving. The 340-hp inline-six is particularly smooth, but we weren’t satisfied with the lagginess of the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and found it best to let the eight-speed automatic shift for itself. The PHEV model surprised us with a rorty exhaust note and when running on electric-only power it scooted the big CX-90 along in traffic without needing to activate the four-cylinder gas engine. Both delivered refined road manners with the athleticism Mazdas are known for. When we get a chance, we’ll take the CX-90 to our test track and update this story with acceleration results and more driving impressions.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The plug-in hybrid model comes with a 17.8-kWh battery pack that’s good for and EPA-estimated 26 miles of electric driving per charge. Charging at home on a 120-volt outlet will replenish the battery in a lengthy timeframe, so that’d be best left for overnight charging. But Mazda says just an hour and a half on a 240-volt connection will be enough to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent full.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA has not released fuel economy estimates for the plug-in hybrid CX-90 model yet, but the inline-six is rated for up to 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The plug-in hybrid powertrain will likely be more efficient and is good for 26 miles of electric driving per charge according to the EPA. For more information about the CX-90’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
To accompany its upscale exterior, Mazda has endowed the CX-90 with a stylish cabin design that features room for up to eight passengers. Opt for the second-row captain’s chairs and the total seating drops to seven. The fabric dashboard upholstery in the high-end models looks striking, and the seats in those trims are also wrapped in soft nappa leather. Base Select trims are less plush but no less handsomely styled. Although leather is standard starting on the Preferred trim, the more upscale and buttery-looking nappa leather upholstery is reserved for Premium Plus trims.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 10.3- or larger 12.3-inch infotainment display is nestled into the dashboard and controlled via a click wheel on the CX-90’s center console. Mazda’s latest infotainment interface is easy to navigate and relatively intuitive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, and we expect that there will be wireless connectivity for both. The CX-90 lower trims feature a 7.0-inch digital gauge display and an eight-speaker stereo system. A larger 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is optional, as is a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
All CX-90s come with a suite of driver-assistance features called i-Activsense which includes automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. For more information about the CX-90’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mazda offers an adequate protection plan for buyers of new CX-90s. What it doesn’t offer is something that both the Hyundai Palisade and the Toyota Highlander do: complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2024 Mazda CX-90
Vehicle Type: front-engine or front-engine, front-motor; all-wheel-drive, 6- to 8-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
3.3 Turbo Select, $40,970; 3.3 Turbo Preferred, $44,820; 3.3 Turbo Preferred Plus, $47,275; PHEV Preferred, $48,820; 3.3 Turbo Premium, $50,275; 3.3 Turbo S, $53,125; PHEV Premium, $54,275; 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus, $54,325; 3.3 Turbo S Premium, $57,825; PHEV Premium Plus, $58,325; 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus, $61,325
POWERTRAINS
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.3-liter inline-6, 280 or 340 hp, 332 or 369 lb-ft; DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 189 hp, 192 lb-ft + AC motor, 173 hp, 192 lb-ft (combined output: 323 hp, 369 lb-ft; 14.8-kWh (est) lithium-ion battery pack; 7.2-kW onboard charger)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 122.8 in
Length: 200.8 in
Width: 78.5 in
Height: 68.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 56–57/51–52/33 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 74–75/40/15–16 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4750–5250 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.0–6.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.4–15.2 sec
Top Speed: 118–130 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (3.3L)
Combined/City/Highway: 25/23–24/28 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (PHEV, C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 25/24/28 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 56 MPGe
EV Range: 26 mi
