Overview
Mazda’s current CX-9 crossover has long been a favorite among our staff but the larger and more premium 2024 CX-90 three-row SUV is poised to move the company’s biggest SUV further up the luxury mountain. The 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. 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 on is expected to also spawn a two-row SUV named CX-70, which should go on sale shortly after the CX-90.
What’s New for 2024?
The CX-90 is a new nameplate for the Mazda brand that will replace the CX-9 when it goes on sale in spring 2023 as a 2024 model.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’re most enamored by the new inline-six in its top S tune which pumps out 340 horsepower. The S model also comes well equipped with niceties such as second-row captain’s chairs, a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, interior ambient lighting, 21-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power liftgate, and more.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 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, comprised of an inline four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 17.8-kWh battery pack. 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 both the plug-in hybrid and the top-spec S model, both of 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. The PHEV model surprised us with a rorty exhaust note and when running on electric-only power it scooted the big CX-90 along in traffic without needing to activate the four-cylinder gas engine. Both delivered refined road manners with the athleticism Mazdas are known for. When we get a chance, we’ll take the CX-90 to our test track and update this story with acceleration results and more driving impressions.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The plug-in hybrid model comes with a 17.8-kWh battery pack that’s good for and EPA-estimated 26 miles of electric driving per charge. Charging at home on a 120-volt outlet will replenish the battery in a lengthy timeframe, so that’d be best left for overnight charging. But Mazda says just an hour and a half on a 240-volt connection will be enough to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent full.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA has not released fuel economy estimates for the plug-in hybrid CX-90 model yet, but the inline-six is rated for up to 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The plug-in hybrid powertrain will likely be more efficient and is good for 26 miles of electric driving per charge according to the EPA. For more information about the CX-90’s fuel economy, visit