The Mazda CX-90 has quietly grow to be a extra inexpensive means into the big, luxury-style SUV area. Most patrons nonetheless default to BMW, Mercedes, and Audi on this phase, however Mazda has been steadily pushing a extra premium picture with the CX-90 sitting on the high of that effort.
It’s full of high-end options you’d usually anticipate in a lot pricier SUVs, and that worth angle is beginning to resonate. In a crowded phase, Mazda leans on consolation, refinement, and a extra upmarket driving really feel to face out.
The CX-90 additionally brings a powerful powertrain and a degree of polish that makes on a regular basis driving really feel extra premium than the value suggests. Listed below are 10 issues serving to it maintain its personal towards established luxurious rivals.
To be able to provide the most recent and correct info doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Mazda and different authoritative sources, together with the EPA and TopSpeed.
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Rear-biased AWD provides the CX-90 a extra participating drive
It feels extra balanced and responsive on twisty roads
Most three-row SUVs are constructed on front-wheel-drive platforms that solely actually ship energy to the rear when the entrance begins to slide. The CX-90 is totally different, with a longitudinal engine format that helps shift weight extra evenly and provides it a extra pure, balanced really feel on the street.
Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system is about as much as ship extra energy to the rear than you’d anticipate, which helps reduce down on torque steer in stronger setups. It nonetheless brings the entrance wheels in when traction drops, however the entire setup leans noticeably extra towards a sporty, rear-driven character than most rivals on this class.
Mazda Commander Management retains key features easy and centered
Credit score: Mazda
Mazda’s rotary infotainment setup will really feel a bit uncommon in case you’re used to tapping a giant touchscreen for all the things. Within the CX-90, the dial takes cost of most features, whereas the display itself is principally used for maps and some choose inputs.
The place a whole lot of newer SUVs go all-in on big contact shows and full-on digital menus, Mazda retains issues extra managed and driver-focused. It would take a day or two to get used to, however when you do, it’s simpler to navigate menus with out leaning ahead or always reaching for the display.
There’s additionally a broader shift occurring within the business, with security testing our bodies like Euro NCAP more and more recognizing the worth of bodily controls for key features. Mazda’s strategy feels prefer it’s leaning into that course somewhat than chasing the most important display development.
Advantages of the central command middle:
- Bodily controls allow you to full duties quicker than touchscreen menus
- Touchscreens encourage leaning ahead, which may have an effect on lane place
- Bumpy roads make touchscreens tougher to make use of precisely
- Properly-made bodily controls add a extra premium, tactile really feel
The MyMazda app permits you to management key CX-90 features out of your telephone
Lock, begin, and test your SUV remotely for added comfort
Credit score: Mazda
Touchscreens contained in the cabin might be hit and miss, however utilizing your telephone to handle your automobile tends to be much more handy. The MyMazda app permits you to deal with a couple of on a regular basis duties with out even being close to the car.
You can begin the engine remotely to get the cabin to a snug temperature earlier than you get in, which is particularly useful in excessive climate. It additionally helps you find your automobile in busy or unfamiliar automobile parks.
Mazda normally features a three-year trial with the service, after which it switches to a subscription of round $10 monthly.
Extra options of the CX-90 and MyMazda app:
- You possibly can test if the automobile is locked or if any doorways are left open
- Set your navigation route earlier than you even get within the automobile
- The automobile can robotically activate the heated steering wheel in chilly climate
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The CX-90’s Bose audio system is tuned particularly for the cabin
It delivers clear, balanced sound whether or not you’re driving or sitting within the again
Credit score: Mazda
Mazda didn’t simply drop a Bose system into the CX-90 and name it a day. The cabin and speaker format had been designed collectively to create a correctly tuned audio atmosphere.
The setup takes all three rows under consideration, so passengers within the again get the identical degree of sound high quality as these up entrance. Audio system and subwoofers are additionally positioned in rigorously formed areas, together with the entrance cowl corners, which helps reduce down on undesirable vibration.
On high of that, Bose tech like Centerpoint 2 and SurroundStage helps construct a extra immersive soundstage all through the cabin. There’s even noise compensation that listens for street hum and adjusts frequencies to assist cancel it out.
Premium consolation runs by way of all three rows of the CX-90
Sensible local weather management retains each seat comfy, irrespective of the place you sit
Credit score: Mazda
The CX-90 makes use of its methods in a fairly sensible option to maintain issues comfy with out fixed tweaking. Seat sensors and local weather management work collectively to regulate temperature and airflow relying on who’s truly within the automobile.
If the third row isn’t in use, airflow is robotically redirected to the entrance and center rows for higher effectivity. When it’s, the rear passengers nonetheless get their very own correct local weather zone, supported by C-pillar and flooring vents designed for higher protection.
The center row additionally will get its personal digital local weather controls, so it doesn’t really feel like a downgrade from the entrance. All of it comes collectively to make each seat really feel correctly taken care of, not simply the motive force’s.
Base Trim Engine
3.3L Skyactiv-G 16
Base Trim Transmission
8-Velocity Automated
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Base Trim Torque
332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Base Trim Gasoline Financial system (metropolis/freeway/mixed)
24/28/25 mpg
Make
Mazda
Mannequin
CX-90
Phase
Midsize SUV
It makes use of sensible monitoring to warn you earlier than small points grow to be larger issues
Credit score: Mazda
Fashionable security methods can typically really feel a bit excessive, kicking in tougher than they should. In higher-spec CX-90 fashions, an infrared digicam tracks eye motion to identify indicators of fatigue or decreased consideration, like microsleep, and may set off alerts on the central show.
The system additionally adjusts the way it responds primarily based on the place you’re wanting. In the event you’re clearly centered on the street, warnings are stored softer and extra delicate, but when your consideration drifts away, the intervention turns into extra direct to drag you again in.
There are additionally gentler cues inbuilt for on a regular basis driving. In the event you begin to drift inside your lane, the CX-90 can use a low-frequency audio rumble to nudge you again with out something too abrupt.
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The CX-90’s inside is constructed to really feel strong and refined over time
Excessive-quality supplies and cautious design assist it age effectively with day by day use
Credit score: Mazda
Automotive tech has moved so shortly within the final 5–10 years that a whole lot of interiors can begin to really feel dated earlier than you’d anticipate. The CX-90 leans the opposite means, specializing in a extra timeless sense of high quality somewhat than chasing each new display development.
Mazda’s strategy is extra about lasting refinement than short-term tech novelty. As a substitute of loading the cabin with flashy interfaces that will age shortly, it prioritizes supplies, format, and ergonomics designed to carry up over time.
Some rivals, notably within the BMW and Mercedes lineup, are more and more centered round massive digital shows and tech-heavy interiors. Whereas spectacular at launch, that gadget-first strategy doesn’t at all times prioritize long-term usability or sturdiness in the identical means.
The craftsmanship of the 2026 CX-90:
- Maple wooden trim and obtainable Kakenui stitching on larger trims
- Tender, premium Nappa leather-based provides a extra upscale really feel
- Seats are designed for stability and luxury on lengthy drives
- Acoustic glass and insulation assist maintain street noise to a minimal
The CX-90’s inline-six delivers easy, refined energy
Its format helps enhance stability and makes acceleration really feel easy
Credit score: CarBuzz
In a time when many SUVs are downsizing, the CX-90 nonetheless sticks with a six-cylinder engine. Rivals just like the Acura MDX and Toyota Grand Highlander have largely moved to smaller four-cylinder setups, which can assist effectivity however can really feel much less easy in on a regular basis driving.
The CX-90’s inline-six is of course balanced, and when paired with its 48V mild-hybrid system, it delivers a noticeably smoother and extra refined driving expertise. The hybrid help primarily fills within the gaps throughout turbo lag, so energy supply feels extra constant if you want it most.
There’s additionally a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid model obtainable for these prioritizing effectivity, whereas nonetheless conserving efficiency in the same vary.
2026 CX-90 specs
Turbo S delicate hybrid
Plug-in hybrid
Powertrain
3.3-liter turbo inline-6
2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Transmission
8-speed auto
8-speed auto
Energy
340 hp
323 hp
Torque
369 lb-ft
369 lb-ft
0–60 mph
6.1 seconds
6.6 seconds
The CX-90’s seating might be adjusted to go well with totally different wants
Versatile layouts make it straightforward to stability passengers and cargo
Credit score: Mazda
The CX-90’s inside is designed to be extremely versatile, so it could adapt to various kinds of day by day use. Whether or not it’s faculty runs, weekend journeys, or hauling bigger gadgets, the format is constructed to make every of these roles simpler to handle.
Mazda additionally affords a alternative of third-row configurations, with both two or three seats relying in your wants. Within the second row, you may go for a middle console or an open pass-through aisle, supplying you with extra management over how passengers transfer by way of the cabin.
Extra seating options:
- 90-degree rear doorways open extensive for simpler entry and higher practicality
- One-touch controls tilt and slide the second row for easy entry and exit
- Third row consists of Nappa leather-based, air flow, and USB-C ports
- Second-row seats on rails allow you to commerce off legroom and cargo area
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The CX-90 is constructed with long-term on a regular basis consolation in thoughts
Small particulars add as much as make day by day use simpler and extra satisfying over time
Credit score: Mazda
Standout options would possibly seize consideration, however over time it’s the small, on a regular basis particulars that actually resolve whether or not you stick to a automobile or transfer on. Little annoyances in how a car works each day can construct up quicker than you’d anticipate.
The CX-90 will get a whole lot of credit score for specializing in these quieter quality-of-life touches that make dwelling with it simpler through the years. That type of considerate engineering is what builds long-term loyalty, and it’s the type of SUV that doesn’t really feel prefer it wants changing any time quickly.
High quality of life options:
- Flush liftgate sill strains up with the inside flooring for simpler loading
- 8-speed gearbox delivers easy, refined cruising in its class
- Mirrors tilt robotically in reverse to assist with curb alignment
- Folding the second and third rows creates a flat load flooring
