2024 Mazda CX-90

The volume 3.3 Turbo uses the regular-fuel tune; the Turbo S is the higher-output range maximum.

This is the peak output of the standard-pressure 3.3-liter turbo inline-six in the volume gas trim.

The measurement is for the 280-hp engine fitted to most CX-90s, rather than the quicker 340-hp Turbo S.

The inline-six is smooth and quiet in ordinary driving, but stop-start response and sounds under full load keep this first-year powertrain from luxury-grade polish.

The new eight-speed generally shifts quickly and unobtrusively in automatic operation, though reviewers noted low-speed refinement issues and laggy paddle response.

The maximum applies to properly equipped models with Mazda towing accessories; lower trims have a lower standard rating.

Rear-biased i-Activ AWD is standard across the entire lineup, with Sport and Off-Road drive modes standard.

Standard AWD, Off-Road mode, hill-descent control, and 8.0 inches of clearance support light trails, but there is no dedicated off-road trim, low range, locker, or major underbody hardware.

The launch-year range offers two inline-six output levels plus a distinct plug-in-hybrid powertrain, covering mainstream, performance, and electrified use cases.

The regular-fuel 3.3 Turbo volume trim is rated at 25 mpg combined with standard AWD.

This is the EPA city figure for the regular-fuel 280-hp gas configuration.

All 2024 gas inline-six configurations share the 28-mpg highway rating.

The EPA combined range is for the 3.3 Turbo AWD configuration; city/highway estimates vary from 444 to 518 miles.

This is the EPA model-year estimate under its standard annual-driving and fuel-price assumptions for the regular-fuel engine.

The 280-hp volume gas powertrain delivers its stated output on widely available regular unleaded, avoiding a premium-fuel penalty.

The gas-powered 2024 CX-90 MHEV earned NHTSA's maximum five-star overall safety rating; its component results were four stars frontal, five stars side, and four stars rollover.

The 2024 CX-90 earned Top Safety Pick+ and received Good ratings in every listed crashworthiness test, including the updated moderate-overlap and updated side evaluations.

Every 2024 gas CX-90 includes the five core systems sought by this rubric: automatic emergency braking, stop-and-go adaptive cruise, lane keeping/departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The standard Smart Brake Support system performed strongly in IIHS pedestrian testing by day and night, avoiding most impacts and sharply reducing speed in the remaining tests.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard, giving the volume trim broad basic coverage. Active Blind Spot Assist and reverse automatic braking require upper trims, and there is no documented trailer-aware blind-spot extension.

The volume 3.3 Turbo trim has standard lane-departure warning and corrective lane-keep assistance, but true highway-speed lane centering is limited to the costlier Turbo S range. Long-term testing also found the available centering could track bends poorly and stray near lane edges.

Full-speed Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go is standard and supplies useful traffic capability, but integrated highway lane centering is not offered on the volume 3.3 Turbo trim and the upper-trim system has shown occasional tracking and unnecessary-braking roughness.

No 2024 CX-90 trim offers a hands-free highway-driving system; even the most advanced available Cruising & Traffic Support is explicitly hands-on.

The volume 3.3 Turbo trims use Acceptable-rated LED projectors with automatic high beams; only the Turbo S variants add curve-adaptive headlights and earn a Good rating.

Sightlines are typical rather than exceptional for a large three-row SUV, and the volume trims lack the surround-view compensation available higher in the range. The Premium Plus camera system's see-through view materially helps close-range blind zones, but it is not standard on the representative trim.

IIHS awarded its best Good+ rating for easy anchors and extra LATCH positions. Second-row installation is especially straightforward, though third-row access, legroom, fixed head restraints, and buckle placement keep it short of a near-perfect family-use score.

The volume 3.3 Turbo Preferred uses an eight-passenger 2-3-3 layout by default; captain's chairs reduce capacity to seven.

Preferred includes a power moonroof, so the moonroof-equipped dimension represents this trim.

Front legroom is adequate but not especially generous for a vehicle this large.

The Preferred's standard moonroof slightly reduces second-row clearance.

Second-row legroom is competitive, although the long rear-drive architecture does not translate into class-leading packaging.

The 30.4-inch third-row legroom and high floor make this primarily kid-friendly seating; adults fit only for short trips, and access is easier with optional captain's chairs.

Cargo space behind row two is below the three-row midsize-SUV leaders.

Maximum capacity is useful but trails the boxier Pilot, Atlas, Palisade and Telluride.

Door pockets, cupholders and flat-folding rear rows cover everyday needs, but the shallow center bin and absence of standout storage or onboard-power solutions keep it ordinary.

The Preferred has leather, heated front seats and an eight-way power driver's seat; reviewers praise front-seat long-haul comfort but find second-row comfort merely average.

On the Preferred's 19-inch wheels the ride is composed and generally compliant, though the chassis remains firmer than the comfort-focused class leaders.

Wind and road noise are well suppressed and the inline-six is quiet in normal use, becoming audible mainly under hard acceleration.

Three-zone automatic climate control, heated leather front seats, rear vents and second-row shades are strong for a mid trim; ventilation, heated wheel and heated rear seats require Premium Plus.

Mazda's revised 2024 pricing retained the Turbo Select as the entry gas model. The figure includes the destination charge required by this metric.

The mainstream 280-hp Turbo Preferred is used as the representative volume configuration because it adds comfort equipment while remaining near the bottom of the gas range. Mazda cut this trim's MSRP by $3,000 during the 2024 model year.

CarEdge's model-level estimate includes scheduled service, wear items, and expected repairs while excluding warranty work. It is favorable for a large, mechanically complex three-row SUV.

CarEdge projects $23,904 remaining from a typically equipped $51,066 CX-90 after five years, equal to 46.8% retention. That is below the midpoint of the SUV normalization range.

Mazda provides the mainstream-segment minimum bumper-to-bumper term, trailing brands that cover four or five years.

The gas CX-90 receives Mazda's standard five-year powertrain coverage, the floor of the SUV scoring band.

Three-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance is a useful basic perk, but Mazda includes no complimentary scheduled maintenance. This fits the bottom of the rubric's basic-roadside-only band.

$41,900 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (46.8% retained, or about $19,609) leaves about $22,291 in depreciation. Add the projected $2,639 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $24,930 in total.

The gas CX-90's first-year owner record is substantially below average despite one encouraging long-term test. Broad survey evidence and extensive recall activity outweigh that single trouble-free vehicle.

Mazda entered this launch with an above-average multi-year brand record, though not the consistent top-five dominance required for the highest band. Its established models have generally performed better than the new Large Product platform.

Eleven safety campaigns in the debut model year are far beyond typical activity, and several involved loss of steering assist, loss of drive power, unintended braking, or vehicle movement. The breadth and safety relevance indicate systemic first-year sorting rather than a few minor notices.

The volume gas trim's 3.3-liter turbo inline-six, 48-volt hybrid system, and in-house eight-speed automatic were all new for this platform, leaving no high-mileage history. Early loss-of-power and restart software recalls add risk, although a 30,000-mile instrumented long-term example had no reliability failure.

Even the mainstream gas range delivers a cabin that reviewers place near entry-luxury standards, while upper trims add still richer finishes. Some ordinary plastic remains around the shifter, keeping it short of unequivocal luxury-class leadership.

Professional evaluations consistently found tightly assembled, premium-feeling cabin finishes. Broader reliability problems temper the score slightly, but the physical assembly and presentation remain a clear strength.

Mazda provides a nationwide franchised service network, but it is materially smaller than the networks of the largest Japanese and domestic brands. Coverage is adequate in most metro areas but can require longer travel in rural markets.

Routine Mazda service and wear parts are broadly obtainable, but this Japan-built, first-year platform and unique inline-six hybridized drivetrain have limited aftermarket depth and greater dealer-parts exposure. Projected routine costs are reasonable, while complex out-of-warranty repairs remain an uncertainty.

The volume Preferred uses the smaller Mazda Connect display controlled primarily by the console commander.

Physical shortcut buttons and the commander knob minimize distraction, but the graphics look dated and the Preferred screen lacks normal touch operation.

Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on Preferred; wireless projection starts with Preferred Plus.

Basic Mazda voice commands and available Mazda navigation are functional, but most owners will favor wired phone projection; this is not a natural-language system.

The Preferred retains an adequate eight-speaker system; the desirable 12-speaker Bose setup is reserved for Premium and higher trims.

A seven-inch TFT information display supplements conventional gauges on Preferred; the fully digital 12.3-inch cluster is limited to Premium Plus and Turbo S models.

Mazda Connected Services supports limited OTA updates for applicable issues and infotainment functions, not the broad feature-adding whole-vehicle updates of leading software-defined rivals.

The MyMazda app provides remote start/stop, lock/unlock, vehicle status and locator functions, but no phone-as-key and connected services may become subscription-gated.

Preferred supplies six USB-C ports spanning all three rows, unusually good coverage; wireless charging and a cargo AC outlet require higher trims.

Advanced keyless entry, push-button start, app remote start and a power liftgate are standard, but hands-free liftgate and phone-as-key are absent on Preferred.

Preferred has the mandated rear camera and standard safety monitoring, but front/rear parking sensors and the 360-degree See-Through View are reserved for upper trims.

A large windshield-projected HUD is offered, but it begins one step above the volume Preferred on Preferred Plus rather than being confined to only the very top trim.

Nearly 90-degree rear doors, eight seats, window shades and accessible LATCH anchors help with children, but a child seat can complicate third-row access and cargo space is below average.

The CX-90 earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and every trim includes a broad i-Activsense package plus a rear-seat alert, making its family-safety fundamentals excellent at the volume-trim price.

Quiet cruising, three-zone climate, second-row shades and USB-C in every row serve families well, but the child-oriented third row and only 14.9 cubic feet of luggage room with all seats raised constrain long trips.

Supportive seats, physical controls and adaptive cruise reduce fatigue, but the 200.8-inch body, heavy steering and occasionally conspicuous stop-start make dense traffic less effortless.

EPA-rated 25 mpg combined and a 29-mpg Car and Driver highway result are strong for a large AWD three-row SUV, though tires and premium-positioned service costs prevent economy-car running costs.

The long hood, 200.8-inch length and 41.2-foot turning circle demand care; the volume Preferred also lacks the upper trims' parking sensors and surround-view camera.

The 280-hp/332-lb-ft inline-six and standard AWD handle moderate loads, while Preferred is rated for 3,500 pounds rather than the 5,000 pounds available with Preferred Plus towing equipment.

Standard AWD and a substantial unibody are useful, but this was a first-year platform and powertrain with leather cabin trim and no established hard-use or fleet record.

Roof rails and a power liftgate offer basic utility, but there is no work upfit ecosystem, washable interior, household outlet or work-focused onboard power on Preferred.

Quiet highway behavior, supportive fronts, adaptive cruise, 25-mpg combined economy and an 18.5-gallon tank make it a capable tourer; rear-seat space and firm tuning limit benchmark status.

Standard rear-biased AWD, 8.0-inch clearance and roof rails suit snow, gravel roads and racks, while a 3,500-pound tow rating covers light recreational trailers; it lacks low range and skid-plate hardware.

Both rear rows fold flat and roof rails are standard, but 40.0/74.2 cubic feet behind rows two/one are merely adequate and below class leaders.

Rear-biased AWD, excellent body control and secure cornering make the CX-90 one of the most agile three-row mainstream SUVs despite its size.

Steering is unusually substantial, precise and naturally progressive for the segment, although some testers find it heavy on center.

Emergency stopping is strong, but the sensitive pedal makes smooth routine stops harder than it should be.

The mild-hybrid inline-six is refined and the eight-speed shifts unobtrusively once moving, but first-year low-speed clutch behavior and noticeable stop-start keep calibration below the class best.

The inline-six is quiet and smooth in normal driving with an appealing character under load, though testers heard occasional coarse or unrefined sounds when pushed.

The long 122.8-inch wheelbase produces a wide turning diameter near the poor end of the SUV normalization band.

A supportive power seat, logical physical controls and clear sightlines ahead create a driver-focused cockpit, though the long hood complicates close maneuvering.

Engaging steering, rear-biased balance and the characterful inline-six give this family SUV genuine enthusiast appeal even in the 280-hp volume trim.

Even the Select includes a 280-hp turbo inline-six mild hybrid, AWD, three-zone climate control, smartphone integration, and a strong standard driver-assistance suite. Some desirable comfort and cabin upgrades remain reserved for higher packages, keeping it just below loaded-at-base territory.

At roughly $42,000 delivered for the volume Turbo Preferred, the CX-90 combines standard AWD, efficient inline-six performance, an upscale cabin, and premium driving dynamics at mainstream three-row-SUV money. High trims become expensive and its passenger/cargo space trails family-focused leaders, limiting a higher score.

The launch lineup offered 11 packages across 280-hp Turbo, 340-hp Turbo S, and PHEV powertrains, with six-, seven-, and eight-seat layouts. The breadth is exceptional, though the many overlapping packages can be confusing and AWD is the only drivetrain.

The new nameplate achieved meaningful volume immediately: 30,821 U.S. sales during its partial 2023 launch year, followed by record monthly results in 2024. It was a fast-rising success for Mazda, though not a segment-volume leader like the Highlander or Explorer.

Mazda has a loyal enthusiast following and a strong reputation for styling and driving enjoyment, and the rear-biased CX-90 credibly advances its premium ambitions. The badge still lacks the status and resale halo of established luxury makes.

Buyers saw unusually strong help during the model year: Mazda reduced gas-trim MSRPs by $3,000-$4,000 and commonly advertised subsidized 0.9% financing, with additional cash or dealer discounts reported. The incentives materially improved affordability, even though the midyear cuts also signal initial pricing resistance.

This exact 2024 model is the first year of the CX-90 and its rear-biased Large Product Group platform, with new inline-six mild-hybrid and PHEV powertrains. There was no redesign risk because buyers were entering at the start of the generation.

Reception was unusually strong for a launch-year three-row SUV: it won Car and Driver's five-vehicle comparison and earned a 2024 Editors' Choice, while Edmunds scored it 8.1/10. MotorTrend narrowly preferred the Honda Pilot and reviewers consistently flagged tight rear accommodations, preventing an elite near-perfect score.