Overview
Mazda’s beloved CX-9 crossover is no longer available, but don’t worry. The new 2024 Mazda CX-90 three-row SUV is here to take its place and is even more luxurious. It’s like Mazda climbed higher up the mountain of luxury cars and brought back a trophy—the 2024 Editors’ Choice award. The CX-90 starts strong with a new turbocharged 3.3-liter engine that can produce a powerful 280 or 340 horsepower. There’s also a particular version that can run on electricity for a bit (but we’ll talk about that one another time).
Mazda went all out to show off how fancy they could be with this car. The top models of this big family SUV are packed with more luxury goodies than any of Mazda’s cars before. It looks great from the outside, and the inside feels special, too, taking some stylish hints from its smaller siblings, the CX-50 and MX-30. Plus, the CX-90 is the first to show off Mazda’s brand-new design, which will also be used to make another SUV called the CX-70, coming out in the 2025 model year.
Pros and Cons of the 2024 Mazda CX-90
Pros
- Luxurious Interior:Â The CX-90 boasts a premium cabin with options for soft nappa leather and a stylish dashboard, elevating the driving experience.
- Powerful Engine Options:Â With a new turbocharged inline-six engine and a plug-in hybrid variant, the CX-90 offers power and efficiency.
- Advanced Safety Features:Â Equipped with the comprehensive i-Activsense suite, including emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, the CX-90 prioritizes safety.
Cons
- No Free Maintenance:Â Unlike some competitors, the CX-90 doesn’t have complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Complex Infotainment System:Â While feature-rich, the infotainment system might be overwhelming for some users due to its high level of configurability.
What’s New for the 2024 Mazda CX-90?
Meet the Mazda CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 is a fresh addition to Mazda’s lineup for 2024, taking over from the CX-9. It’s a brand-new model that promises more luxury and space.
Pricing and Choosing Your 2024 Mazda CX-90
How Much It Costs
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 ranges from $39,220 to $57,325, depending on which version you pick. Here are some options:
- Select: $39,220
- Preferred: $41,820
- And it goes up to the S Premium Plus at $57,325.
We like the S model because it has a potent engine with 340 horsepower and cool features like comfy seats in the second row, an extensive stereo system, fancy lights inside, big wheels, a huge sunroof, and a trunk that opens by itself.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Engine, Power, and Driving
What Makes It Go
The CX-90 is notable because it’s the first Mazda with a turbocharged 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine, helped by a little electric boost, making it solid and smooth. This setup gives you 280 horsepower in most models, but it jumps up to 340 horsepower in the S models. This kind of engine is something you usually see in very fancy SUVs, showing Mazda wants to be one of the luxurious brands. There’s also a version that can plug in to charge up its battery for even more power, but we’ll talk about that one another time.
Driving the CX-90
All CX-90s have an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive to ensure you can go anywhere. When we tried the top S model, we loved how much power it had for driving around town and on the highway.Â
The engine runs smoothly, although the gears sometimes change slower than we’d like when using the manual controls. On our test track, the CX-90 was pretty quick, but we did hear some noises we didn’t expect from such a smooth engine.Â
Still, driving it feels friendly and sporty, just like Mazdas are known for. We’ll keep driving one for a long time to see how well it does with everyday stuff.
Fuel Economy: Going the Distance
Saving Fuel
The people who check fuel use, called the EPA, say the CX-90 can travel up to 24 miles in the city and 28 miles on the highway on a single gallon of gas. We tested it on a road driving at 75 mph, and it did even better, hitting 29 mpg. You can find more details about how much gas it uses on the EPA’s website.
Inside the 2024 Mazda CX-90: A Cozy and Fancy Ride
Room for Everyone
The CX-90 isn’t just lovely to look at from the outside; inside, it’s all about comfort and style. There’s space for up to eight people to fit comfortably. Seven people can fit if you choose the exceptional captain’s chairs for the middle row. It’s perfect for big families or anyone who loves road trips with friends.
Feeling Fancy
In the fancier versions, the dashboard is covered in a pretty fabric, and the seats are super soft because they’re made of Nappa leather. The starting models, called Select trims, might be less fancy, but they still look nice. Starting with the Preferred trim, the seats come with leather, but the soft and luxurious Nappa leather is saved for the top-end Premium Plus models. It’s like getting a special treat for choosing the fanciest version.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Fun and Easy Tech
Staying Connected
The CX-90 has a big screen for all your music and maps, either 10.3 inches or even more prominent at 12.3 inches, right on the dashboard. You use a little wheel in the middle of the car to control it. Mazda made sure this system was simple to use. You can hook up your phone with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and we think you can do it without any wires.
Sounds and Screens
The starting models of the CX-90 have a smaller, 7-inch screen in front of the driver that shows important car info and a sound system with eight speakers for listening to music. If you want something fancier, you can choose a more extensive 12.3-inch screen right in front of the driver and a sound system with 12 speakers from Bose that makes music sound even better.
Staying Safe in the CX-90
Keeping Watch
Every CX-90 comes with tools to help keep you safe on the road. In this package, i-Activsense, watch for dangers you might not see. It can automatically stop the car, keep an eye on your blind spots, and much more. To see how well the CX-90 does in crashes, you can check out its ratings on the NHTSA and IIHS websites. The main things it always has ready to help protect you include:
- Automatic brakes that can spot people walking and stop to avoid hitting them.
- A system that tells you if a car is in your blind spot.
- Cruise control adjusts speed to keep you safe from vehicles ahead.
Warranty: What You Get
Your CX-90’s Safety Net
Mazda gives you a warranty to cover your new CX-90, which means they’ll fix certain car parts if they break within a specific time. But, unlike other cars like the Hyundai Palisade or the Toyota Highlander, Mazda doesn’t give you free check-ups and maintenance. Here’s what the warranty includes:
- A general warranty for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- A more extended warranty for the engine and moving parts for five years or 60,000 miles.
- You’ll need to pay for regular maintenance visits.
FAQs About the 2024 Mazda CX-90
Q: What’s new in the 2024 Mazda CX-90?
A: The CX-90 is a new model for 2024, replacing the CX-9, and introduces a more luxurious and spacious three-row SUV option with advanced engine choices.
Q: How much does the 2024 Mazda CX-90 cost?
A: Prices for the CX-90 start at $39,220 and can go up to $57,325, depending on trim and options.
Q: Does the Mazda CX-90 have an all-wheel drive?
A: All-wheel drive is standard across all CX-90 models, providing better traction and handling.
Q: Is there a hybrid option available for the CX-90?
A: The CX-90 offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain option for those seeking enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Conclusion
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 emerges as a compelling new contender in the luxury SUV market, blending Mazda’s signature driving enjoyment with a more spacious and upscale interior. Its introduction of a powerful turbocharged inline-six engine and a plug-in hybrid option marks Mazda’s ambitious move upmarket, aiming to offer a premium experience at a competitive price point. While the lack of complimentary maintenance may be a drawback, the CX-90’s advanced safety features, luxurious interior options, and robust powertrain lineup make it a strong choice for families and driving enthusiasts. The CX-90 is a testament to Mazda’s evolving brand, offering an appealing mix of luxury, safety, and performance.
