Largest-yet Mazda SUV revealed globally, offered with six-cylinder petrol and diesel power – Australian specs coming later in the day
Mazda this morning revealed its new flagship SUV, with the 2023 CX-90 set to sit above the existing CX-9 model in the company’s global and Australian ranges.
The Japanese manufacturer unveiled the CX-90 at an event in California early in the morning of February 1, 2023, with more detailed Australian specifications expected later in the day.
The three-row CX-90 is larger than the previously-revealed, two-row CX-60
Sitting atop Mazda’s new large product group architecture platform, the CX-90 becomes the second new large, premium SUV to be shown by the company, following the reveal of the upper-midsize CX-60 luxury SUV last year.
Later, Mazda will unveil a wider version of the CX-60, called the CX-70, and also a narrower version of the CX-90 called the CX-80. It is not known whether Mazda Australia will move to bring the entire set to Australia or whether the CX-60 and CX-90 will be deemed sufficient.
The new CX-90 will slot above today’s Mazda CX-9 large SUV
Mazda has already revealed Australian pricing for the smaller of the pair – the CX-60, which will launch locally from $59,800 before on-road costs.
Local specs for the bigger CX-90 are not yet available. However, the model is likely to be the new range flagship, sitting above the four-cylinder CX-9 model that tops out at $74,710.
The styling is similar to the CX-60, but with an elongated rear end
The CX-90 will bridge the gap between large family SUVs like the CX-9 and the Hyundai Palisade and large luxury crossovers like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90.
Unlike the CX-60, a plug-in hybrid version of the CX-90 is not understood to be available to buyers from launch.
Instead, the CX-90 will be available with two 3.3-litre mild-hybrid turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines globally.
The interior of this car features white nappa leather and maple wood trim
These include a powerful 254kW/500Nm petrol six-cylinder engine, while globally there will also be the option of an equally-large diesel engine that makes 187kW/550Nm.
The CX-90 has a higher-output version of the same petrol engine offered in the CX-60, but the diesel engine appears to have an identical tune.
Petrol and diesel engines are both available – they are each 3.3-litres in displacement
Both engines have a 48-volt mild hybrid system that Mazda says boosts efficiency while enhancing refinement from the powertrain, which also includes an eight-speed multi-plate clutch automatic transmission.
A rear-biased all-wheel drive (AWD) system is standard on both powertrains.
Externally, the seven-seat, three row CX-90 is larger in dimensions and proportion than the CX-60, but the two crossovers share many design cues.
There are seven seats across three rows
The photographs Mazda has published of the CX-90 feature the car in the brand’s new artisan red signature paint colour, which is darker than the more familiar soul red crystal.
Silver trim and roof bars features on the model in the photos released this morning, while the large 21-inch alloy wheels are finished in two-tone black and silver.
This CX-90 is painted in artisan red with silver trim and 21-inch wheels
Inside, the CX-90 features a similar cabin design to the CX-60, but with the particular addition of a third row. It appears that captain’s chairs will be available for the second row in some markets.
Multiple interior colours will likely be offered, but the initial photographs depict a white nappa leather interior with Mazda’s new genuine maple wood trim and textile surfaces.
Keyword: Mazda CX-90 2023 fully revealed! New flagship SUV targets Q7, XC90