- 2024 Mazda CX-90 First Look Review: New Flagship Makes Grand Entrance
- When Is The Mazda CX-90 Coming Out?
- 2024 Mazda CX-90 Price And Competition
- New Mazda CX-90 Exterior And Colors
- Mazda CX-90 Dimensions
- Mazda CX-90 Engine And Performance
- Gas Mileage
- Mazda CX-90 Interior And Cargo
- Mazda CX-90 News
2024 Mazda CX-90
- Review
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2024 Mazda CX-90 First Look Review: New Flagship Makes Grand Entrance
by Karl Furlong
Unlike fellow Japanese rivals Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, Mazda doesn't have a dedicated luxury arm (Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti, respectively). Perhaps that explains why, unlike those rival mass-market brands, Mazda has more resolutely sought to move its volume models into premium territory. After all, a badge is just a badge that doesn't have to dictate the quality of the car it's attached to. Now, the V-shaped wings that form part of the humble Mazda logo are attached to a new flagship that's anything but humble: the three-row CX-90 crossover.
Two electrified powertrains – a mild-hybrid and a plug-in hybrid – both make over 300 horsepower, topped by the 340-hp inline-six 3.3-liter turbocharged mill. That alone elevates the CX-90 above existing Mazda crossovers, but this classy chariot also raises the bar for refinement, style, and quality. More than any Mazda before it, the CX-90 underlines the silliness of badge snobbery and is a fitting culmination of the strides the brand has taken over the last decade or so.
When Is The Mazda CX-90 Coming Out?
Revealed in January 2023, the release date for the 2024 Mazda CX-90 in the USA is expected to be set for spring this year.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Price And Competition
While it hasn't been made explicitly clear whether the CX-90 will be sold alongside the CX-9 or replace it entirely, it's expected that the CX-90 will be the more expensive of the two. The CX-9 starts at an MSRP of $38,750 for the 2023 model, so we anticipate that the 2024 Mazda CX-90's price will begin at closer to $45,000.
There are many rivals to choose from, including one of our favorite three-row SUVs, the Kia Telluride. With 291 hp, the Kia isn't as powerful but starts at a cost of just $35,890; the base Telluride won't be equipped to the same standard as the CX-90, though. The same applies to the Hyundai Palisade, which shares many components with the Telluride.
But we think the CX-90 is aiming higher and that top-spec versions can legitimately be considered a threat to premium-badged crossovers like the Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60, and Jeep Grand Cherokee L, although the latter separates itself from the soft-roading pack with better off-road capabilities.
New Mazda CX-90 Exterior And Colors
While immediately identifiable as a member of the Mazda family, the CX-90 has a much more imposing design. Its confident aura partially stems from its large platform and bigger size, with a wide body and fenders.
As with the CX-9, the exterior of the Mazda CX-90 features a chrome grille surround that flows into the headlights. However, the CX-90 has a more masculine, squarer overall profile than the CX-9, and the front fascia is more upright. The grille is large but not an eyesore, and it features dark slats with the Mazda logo in the center.
Adding to the premium appeal of the CX-90 are available 21-inch diamond-cut wheels with a black metallic finish, along with available chrome garnishes on the lower bumpers. Depending on the engine choice, the side fenders ahead of the front doors feature either “PHEV” or “INLINE 6” badging; such is the dearth of six-cylinder mills that Mazda is now proudly reminding everyone that the CX-90 is powered by one.
Staying along the sides, some versions have body-color cladding around the wheel arches, another indication that luxury and not ruggedness was the goal here. The rear continues the uncluttered, modern appearance. The stretched taillights have an integrated lighting signature that bears a surprising resemblance to those on the BMW 4 Series Coupe. Other than that, it's a fairly generic but still attractive SUV design from this angle.
Based on the initial images and after seeing it in person, the Mazda CX-90 is flattered by darker colors. Specifically, the new Artisan Red, a deeper shade of red than we're used to, smartly complements the design. White is also available, but we'll have to wait a bit longer for the full color palette to be revealed.
Mazda CX-90 Dimensions
Based on the brand’s large platform and with three spacious rows of seats, the dimensions of the Mazda CX-90 should be quite sizable. However, Mazda hasn’t yet revealed final specs. We expect the CX-90 to be larger than the CX-9, though, and the latter already measures 199.4 inches in length, 77.5 inches in width, and 69 inches in height, with a 115.3-inch wheelbase.
At just over 4,400 pounds, the curb weight of the CX-9 gives us an idea of what to expect from the CX-90. However, we expect the CX-90 plug-in hybrid to be closer to 5,000 lbs.
Mazda CX-90 Engine And Performance
Mazda only recently confirmed the details of the much-anticipated six-cylinder engine in the CX-90. Dubbed the e-Skyactiv G, this 3.3-liter inline-six turbocharged engine has the highest horsepower and torque of any mass-production Mazda gas engine. The numbers are good, rather than spectacular, at 340 hp and 369 lb-ft, but it's easily more powerful than the CX-9. In addition, the M-Hybrid Boost system – essentially a mild-hybrid system – features a small electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission. Instead of adding to power outputs, this motor allows for smooth getaways and contributes to improved efficiency.
With the engine mounted longitudinally, Mazda has confirmed that the CX-90 will have an all-wheel-drive system with a rear-wheel bias. That hints at sportier driving dynamics than is typical in this segment. Mazda also promises an “engaging sound” from the six-pot mill, which will come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The second engine choice for the Mazda CX-90 is the e-Skyactive PHEV. This pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to make a combined 323 hp. Torque, however, matches the six-cylinder engine at 369 lb-ft.
As with the non-PHEV model, the multi-speed automatic transmission doesn't use a torque converter. Instead, the eight-speeder used an integrated electric motor, multi-plate clutches, and planetary gears. This not only saves space and granted engineers more freedom for the steering angle and suspension, but allowed them to move the engine further back. The CX-90 also borrows a piece of tech that appeared on the MX-5 Miata called Kinematic Posture Control; this utilizes software to suppress body lift in sharper corners, both improving grip and preventing passengers from being tossed around.
While no 0-60 times have been claimed, the 340-hp model should be capable of completing the benchmark sprint in just under six seconds. As for the PHEV, the CX-60 PHEV sold overseas takes 5.8 seconds for the longer 0-62 mph sprint, so the larger CX-90 with the same powertrain will probably need around 6.5 seconds for the 0-60 run.
Gas Mileage
We don't have EPA-rated gas mileage figures yet, but a large-capacity six-cylinder, even one with a mild-hybrid system, isn't likely to be the most efficient car around. If Mazda can get close to the four-cylinder CX-9's 20/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined, that would be more than satisfactory.
Buyers wanting a more economical alternative should consider the PHEV version. In the CX-60 PHEV sold overseas, which has the same powertrain, Mazda claims an all-electric range of 39 miles. The larger, heavier CX-90 will probably get a bit less than that.
As far as charging the PHEV goes, the CX-60 provides another reference point. Its battery can be fully recharged in under eight hours with a normal household socket, or it can achieve a 20%-80% charge in around 90 minutes with a 7.4 kW AC home charger.
Mazda CX-90 Interior And Cargo
Aside from the new six-cylinder mill, the restrained luxuriousness of the Mazda CX-90's interior may just be its finest attribute. Mazda has a knack for nailing the basics like usability and quality, and always manages to prioritize the driver. Customers of German or Italian vehicles who prefer a bit more flash may be a bit underwhelmed by the simple layout, but we find it elegant and refreshing.
The CX-90's cabin was inspired by Japanese design, and this is present in elements like the hanging stitches on the dashboard that are a nod to hand-bookbinding and a Japanese weaving technique known as Kumihimo. The deliberate use of negative space has helped to create an airiness to the layout, as has the use of light tone-on-tone fabrics.
Nappa leather will cover the seats in the Mazda CX-90, but we have to wait and see if this applies to upper trims only. The leather is complemented neatly by light wood trim on the center console and doors, but some versions use sportier silver trim.
Mazda seems to be immune to gimmicks, so instead of a touchscreen-heavy control layout and weird button-type gear selectors inside, you get a neat row of physical buttons for often-used features, a rotary controller linked to the central screen, and a stubby shift lever that you can actually grab hold of. Those physical controls are primarily for the ventilation system, but it’s a relief to find buttons for the heated seats and volume knob as well.
We expect features like dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto to be standard, but we’ll have to wait and see what each trim offers in more detail. Cupholders for those at the back, along with separate ventilation outlets and available USB-C ports for the third row, will ensure that all passengers are comfortable. Second-row captain’s chairs are available, but it seems a second-row bench seat will be standard.
Besides the 12.3-inch central display, there is also a digital driver’s display. New technologies will include the See-Through View monitor that makes parking easier, while the more familiar i-Activesense safety suite will include radar adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and smart brake support as standard.
Cargo space in the new Mazda CX-90 crossover is unknown, but the CX-9 offered 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 38.2 cubes behind the second row. We’d love to see a little more space behind the third row of the new CX-90.
Mazda CX-90 News
Mazda CX-90 Revealed As Classy Three-Row Crossover Flagship
And you can have it with a turbocharged inline-six.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Interior Almost Completely Revealed In Latest Teaser
As expected, the cabin blends classy design and premium materials to great effect.
Watch Mazda Unbox The CX-90's Epic 340-HP Straight-Six Engine
Piece by piece, the new CX-90 is being unboxed before our very eyes.
Keyword: 2024 Mazda CX-90