Mazda continues to prove that it can truly be a more luxurious rival to Honda and Toyota. With each new model, Mazda adds an extra level of style and luxury to set it apart. This is very evident with the introduction of the 2024 CX-90 three-row SUV. The CX-90 picks up from where the CX-9 left off, with its sleek styling, inline-six engine and rear-wheel drive architecture.
Does the CX-90 elevate the family three-row SUV? The simple answer is yes.
While rivals, like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander are based on front-wheel drive platforms, with optional all-wheel drive. The CX-90 goes with a sportier approach, by being based on a rear-wheel drive setup, with the all-wheel drive system sending more power to the rear wheels than the front.
Under the hood, buyers can either choose a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain or a slick new turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six with a 48-volt electric motor housed between the engine and transmission. The base inline-six has 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the more powerful version has 340 hp and 369 lb-ft. Those specs easily put the CX-90 ahead of the Honda Pilot and right on par with the most powerful version of the Toyota Grand Highlander.
On the road, the inline-six gets the CX-90 feels far sportier than you would expect from a large family SUV. The engine is silky smooth and has a level of refinement that’s missing from other SUVs in this segment. The turbocharged CX-90 is quick on its feet and rarely leaves you wanting more.
The same can mostly be said for the automatic transmission with its responsive behavior, although at low speeds it does seem to need a bit more refinement.
We pretty much classify every Mazda as the “driver’s car” in each of the segments it competes in. Just like the CX-9 before it, the CX-90 brings a level of enjoyment behind the wheel that’s lacking from the Grand Highlander and Pilot. The CX-90 is fun to drive with its planted feel and firm suspension. The ride does get a bit choppy when the road isn’t very smooth, but if you’re trying to find an SUV that drives more like a sports car, then you won’t find anything better in this class.
Moving inside, the CX-90’s cabin could easily be mistaken for something from a luxury brand. The materials are top notch and the minimalistic styling exudes a more upscale feel. Even the base version has a nice interior. The availability of optional Kumihimo cloth dashboard trim and exposed-grain Maple trim make the CX-90 a lovely place to be.
But just like the CX-9 the CX-90 doesn’t have as much space, especially in the third row. The CX-90 has a much longer wheelbase than the CX-9, but the overall length hasn’t changed much. Which means that riders in the third row are going to complain. It’s cramped in the third row and it doesn’t help that the seats are so close to the floor, which leads to an awkward sitting position. Headroom is also limited.
There’s almost 15 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which increases to 40 cubic feet if you fold the third row. Those specs are lower than many other three-row SUVs.
Mazda has made great strides in terms of styling and enjoyment behind the wheel, but one thing that continues to bug us, is the infotainment system. While touchscreen infotainment systems are the norm, Mazda continues to make us use a rotary dial most of the time to operate the infotainment system. This is especially tedious to use when you’re trying to keep your eyes on the road. While it isn’t the easiest system to use, the infotainment screen looks modern in its two available sizes, 10.25-inches of 12.3-inches.
The pricing for the 2024 Mazda CX-90 starts at $39,300.
At the end of the day, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 elevates what you’d expect from a family three-row SUV. It’s styling and fun to drive nature set it apart, but if space for the whole family is a must, then you’ll want to check out some other competitors. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the MX-5 Miata, but need to more seats then the CX-90 is just for you.
