Within the CX-90, Mazda clearly developed an engaging-to-drive crossover SUV from the bottom up. From the platform to the engine structure to the suspension geometry, all of it factors sharply in the identical path. As a to-the-marrow driving fanatic, I adore it. I additionally love that you may benefit from the drive with out burning a drop of gasoline — for the primary 26 miles of your drive, anyway.

The Japanese model’s largest and flagship mannequin offered within the U.S. takes a definite path in the direction of its mainstream rivals. It presents many strengths, together with three engine choices and improved gasoline economic system in comparison with its outgoing predecessor, the CX-9. However much less room inside and a better price ticket than many. 

Mazda’s invitation to fly to San Francisco and head north towards Napa within the new CX-90 to completely really feel it out was straightforward to just accept.

Briefly: When you have got the identical primary chassis structure as a BMW M5, the potential for driving enjoyment is kind of excessive. And Mazda tuned the CX-90 very properly. That’s true no matter which powertrain you select. However households that want to save a couple of bucks and maximize house may look elsewhere.

Mazda CX-90 Evaluation

On the finish of January, we first laid eyes on Mazda’s newest creation — the 2024 CX-90, with swept again, clear traces and a bigger footprint than the car it replaces, the CX-9. Stretching 200.8 inches from nostril to tail, the CX-90 is 1.4 inches longer than the CX-9. It’s additionally a smidge taller and wider. However the wheelbase outreaches the CX-9 by 7.5 inches, now spanning 122.8 inches, longer than the newest Toyota Sequoia, not to mention competitors just like the Honda Pilot.

The enlargement between the 2 axles stems from Mazda’s new-for-North America large-vehicle platform, which allowed engineers to push the entrance wheels proper to the corners and elongate the softly arching hood, including to its elegant silhouette.

CX-90: Below the Hood

One other first lies below the hood. Mazda’s very first plug-in hybrid electrical car, or PHEV, is certainly one of three selections. It consists of a 2.5L inline-four-cylinder engine mated to an electrical motor that mixes to ship 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The electrical motor sources vitality from a 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Regardless of weighing 5,243 kilos, that’s sufficient juice to journey 26 miles on electrical energy alone. 

And also you select when and the way to spend these 26 miles. Within the PHEV, you may drive it as an EV, a hybrid, and even ask the engine to cost the battery again up for you as you drive. Standing alone within the mainstream crossover section, the PHEV manages 56 mixed MPGe if you happen to begin with a full battery cost and 25 mixed MPG as soon as it’s depleted. Good! 

Each engine provided within the Mazda CX-90 is galvanized. The opposite alternative is a turbocharged 3.3L inline-six engine with a 48V (technically 44.4V) electrical motor to assist at low engine speeds, making this selection a gentle hybrid. 

Mazda constructed a terrific engine. The inline-six-cylinder is a naturally balanced, clean working structure. German makes like Mercedes-Benz and BMW use it very often for that motive. Furthermore, mounting a turbocharger nets excessive potential for stout energy. Alternatively, turbochargers are inclined to trigger a little bit of lag, however not right here, because of an electrical motor including 113 pound-feet of torque at low rpm.

3.3L Engine: Break up Obligation

Within the case of the CX-90, Mazda took the inline-six in two totally different instructions. With the identical {hardware}, totally different engine tunes give two distinct energy figures. Mazda calls the bottom engine 3.3 Turbo, logically sufficient. Tuned to run on common gasoline, it produces 280 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 332 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. 

A second tune of the three.3L maximizes the potential of premium gasoline and turns up the turbo enhance a bit. Referred to as 3.3 Turbo S, it delivers 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque on the similar engine speeds. Making it probably the most highly effective manufacturing engine Mazda has constructed and a potent piece of motivation for this flagship crossover utility.

Earlier than energy will get to all 4 wheels, all three engines mount to an also-new eight-speed computerized transmission that replaces an energy-sapping torque converter for a wet-clutch setup. Forgoing the smoothness of a torque converter works right here as a result of the electrical motors assist get the CX-90 transferring. As a driver, I felt nothing totally different. That’s a intelligent approach to enhance gasoline economic system figures. 

And gasoline economic system figures impress right here. You get 24 mpg within the metropolis with the three.3 Turbo engine and 23 mpg within the metropolis with the three.3 Turbo S. Each handle 28 mpg on the freeway and 25 mixed. That beats the outgoing CX-9’s 20/26/23 mpg (metropolis/freeway/mixed) regardless of CX-90’s greater measurement and heavier weight. That additionally outperforms the Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot. 

2024 CX-90: Anyway You Need It … for a Value

Throughout the 2 totally different powertrains and three energy outputs, Mazda created 11 totally different variants of the CX-90. The bottom 3.3 Turbo engine presents 5 trim ranges: Choose, Most well-liked, Most well-liked Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus. The Choose begins at $40,970 and presents two three-seat benches to seat eight. Customary tools features a 10.25-inch middle console touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, three-zone local weather management, and a plethora of cupholders and USB ports.

Each the worth and tools provided rapidly rise from there. By the point you get to the three.3 Turbo Premium Plus, $54,325 wants to depart your checking account. For that value, you get a 12.25-inch middle console touchscreen with wi-fi smartphone connectivity, a wi-fi charging pad, a head-up show, heated and ventilated seats up entrance, and heated second-row captain’s chairs.

Choosing the PHEV powertrain prices a minimum of $48,820, with three trims accessible, topping out at $58,325.

If you would like most energy, the three.3 Turbo S begins at $53,125 and climbs all the best way to $61,325 for the top-of-the-line, Premium Plus trim degree. Luxuries inside that trim embrace all these above, plus heated and ventilated seats for each the primary and second row and a wider two-passenger bench for the third row. To not point out Nappa leather-based upholstery and a genuinely premium crossover really feel inside. Contemplating its multi-thousand-dollar premium over its mainstream rivals, it had higher!

Mazda CX-90: Area Inside

The bigger footprint additionally deserves extra space inside, however not by an enormous margin. The place the CX-9 provided 135 cubic ft of house for passengers, the CX-90 expands to 142 cubic ft. Roomy by many measures, however smaller than each the Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot, the latter by 16 cubic ft.

And cargo house suffers extra. With the second and third rows folded, the CX-90 presents an inexpensive 75 cubic ft of house. However the Nissan Pathfinder tops 80 cubic ft, and the Honda Pilot swallows over 110 cubic ft.

That’s a drawback of the platform structure Mazda used: a longitudinally mounted engine with a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. It’s merely not as house environment friendly as mounting the engine transversely and relying extra closely on the entrance axle. However there’s additionally a particularly essential benefit.

Time for a Drive: 2024 Mazda CX-90

Mazda provided up the Premium Plus variations of each its PHEV and three.3 Turbo S powertrains for me to check. First, whilst you get much less house than Honda and Nissan, you don’t really feel it. A lot of the house misplaced is behind the third row. And the Mazda is lots large to offer good quantities of shoulder and hip room. 

However you positively do really feel the highway. Mazda clearly constructed this chassis with the motive force in thoughts from the bottom up. Steering really feel approaches Porsche ranges right here, as does a way of chassis conduct coming by your bottom.

Even with monsoon-like situations in Northern California, the CX-90 went by a number of miles of curvy wine nation roads in stride. On the first flip of the wheel, the CX-90 bends right into a nook immediately and rapidly takes a set with minimal physique roll and understeer. The double-wishbone entrance and five-link rear suspension work properly collectively to stability the chassis.

Because of the inherently rear-wheel-drive setup, I felt comfy enjoying with the throttle to stability the automotive as I approached any given apex. And equally comfy to closely apply throttle at each nook exit. The CX-90 settles on its hind legs and bolts off like a sport sedan. Mazda’s largest crossover even handles fast left-to-right transitions with grace. Good enjoyable.

And that’s true of each the PHEV and three.3 Turbo S. Each variations took to corners with comparable, pleasing conduct.

Snug Cruiser

After all, life fills lots of house between apexes to clip and switchbacks to beat. When it’s time to run errands or commute to work, the CX-90 cruises comfortably. The suspension is agency however under no circumstances harsh. Driving over bumps, heaves, and undulations on the highway trouble-free and surefooted. 

Mazda additionally remoted the cabin properly from outdoors distractions. I additionally got here away fairly impressed with the Honda Pilot on this regard. And I believe the Mazda matches, and even beats it barely on this class. Each highway and wind noise keep to a minimal, when cruising on the interstate, each the PHEV and three.3 Turbo S engines maintain quiet too, making it straightforward to take pleasure in your organization or your media of alternative in peace. 

By the best way, getting as much as interstate speeds is simple too. And, once more, that is true for each the PHEV and three.3 Turbo S powerplants. Afterall, they match one another at 369 pound-feet of torque. Each get low-end assist from an electrical motor, and peak horsepower solely differs by 17. 

All-wheel drive traction meant even on California’s moist roads, the CX-90 skilled zero wheel slip as you bury the throttle. It simply takes off with good preliminary grunt and a clean surge towards interstate speeds. You are feeling fixed pull till you carry off the throttle. The one important distinction comes from the tones you hear emitted from the exhaust pipe.

Granted, the three.3 Turbo S weighs much less and wins on energy, so it walks away from the PHEV. However seat of the pants really feel is remarkably comparable contemplating how remarkably totally different these powertrains are.

2024 Mazda CX-90 Abstract

Mazda constructed a real driver’s crossover within the CX-90. One which proves measurement doesn’t have to restrict enjoyable. Right here you have got a three-row, two-and-a-half-ton machine with the identical chassis structure and suspension geometry as a BMW M5. And whereas the cornering limits are decrease (loads decrease), it feels comparable behind the wheel.

What’s extra, the CX-90 delivers superior gasoline economic system than its rivals, particularly if you happen to go the PHEV route and keep diligent about plugging it in.

Right here’s the rub: for more cash, you get much less house. And maximizing house for the least amount of cash is what most households try to do.

Should you love driving, make good cash, and have a household, Mazda constructed the right crossover for you. For everybody else, driving is superior, and so is saving gasoline. That ought to a minimum of advantage an in depth look on the CX-90.