2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Mazda 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 (reviewed separately). 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 has also spawned a two-row SUV named CX-70, which joins the Mazda lineup for the 2025 model year.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2024 Mazda 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, but we review that model separately.

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 the top-spec S model, 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.

At our test track, the CX-90 with the inline-six hit 60 mph in 6.3 seconds but exhibited some unrefined sounds that didn’t match the engine’s otherwise smooth-running nature. Nonetheless, it delivered refined road manners with the athleticism Mazdas are known for. We have signed up a CX-90 Turbo S for long-term duty, and intend to find out how it holds up to 40,000 miles of road trips, grocery runs, school field trips, and home improvement errands.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA has rated the2024 Mazda CX-90 for up to 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, the CX-90 managed a 29-mpg result. 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 2024 Mazda 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

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Specifications