For many years, Mazda has been a go-to brand when it comes to giving automotive enthusiasts mainstream options. Continuing such a tradition deep into the fray of larger crossover utility vehicles, Mazda brings us something rather surprising when you consider the collective of its parts and platform – a new 2024 Mazda CX-90 built on a rear-wheel-drive platform with luxury-like appointments and a sharp-looking design.
With an all-new platform, the Mazda CX-90 brings us an inspiring three-row crossover that excites in many ways starting with two new powertrains for America, a standard 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-6-cylinder with 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque coupled with a mild hybrid system, or a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and electric motor PHEV plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle setup with 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both engines will be paired with a newly designed 8-speed automatic transmission for the longitudinally oriented rear-wheel-drive bias setup but with both powertrains getting standard all-wheel-drive.
The new PHEV CX-90 is a surprising introduction as it beats other mainstream three-row crossovers to the punch, such as the forthcoming Toyota Highlander PHEV. The PHEV system in the CX-90 gets its electrical power from a 17.8-kWh battery pack, which we expect will give the CX-90 PHEV an all-electric range of around 30 miles, give or take. We look forward to hearing from Mazda regarding those official numbers, including fuel consumption.
The new 2024 Mazda CX-90 pushes the envelope for being a mainstream stay that touts a luxury theme. Inside there’s a plush cabin that looks to be refined to the level of luxury crossovers. There’s Nappa leather, real wood trim, chrome pieces, two-tone fabrics, and contrast stitching throughout. The front and second-row seats are heated and ventilated, a rear automatic climate zone, and manual side window shades.
Technology accompanies the new CX-90 featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment center screen, upgraded interior LED lighting, USB-C charge ports in all seating rows, a see-through view 360-degree camera system, and the expected bevy of active safety features through Mazda’s latest i-Activsense packaging.
The Mazda CX-90 will be available in different configurations for seating, where there will be seating for up to 8-passenger with other configurations (6 and 7 passenger) that utilize captain’s chairs. There’s a lot packed into the CX-90, which we believe is one of the most important vehicles for Mazda in decades, and they are punching well above their class in what we see here.
Interestingly, we expected the new CX-90 to be upscale because that’s Mazda’s latest push in encroaching the upmarket, which will work well once the new CX-90 goes on sale Spring 2023 with the expected starting price of around $42,000 and higher trims landing about $60,000.
