2024 Mazda CX-90 Review: Redefining Luxury with Three Rows of Modern Comfort
2024 Mazda CX-90 Review Highlights:
- 2024 Mazda CX-90: $39,595 – $59,950
- Pros: The 2024 Mazda CX-90 sets the bar high for the brand’s new lineup with luxurious features and plenty of high-end options.
- Cons: Some interior materials might not wear well over the years.
People find this brand-new Mazda SUV quite intriguing. After spending some time in the 2024 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus, there were a lot of questions from other drivers. Was it a Mercedes? How did the CX-90 drive? How much was that thing? While the 2024 Mazda CX-90 price and other specs are below, life with this sport utility vehicle is pretty good.
What’s new with the 2024 Mazda CX-90?
Everything is new with the 2024 Mazda CX-90. Building on the solid reputation of the CX-9, the CX-90 is a step above, with more engine options and customizable features to set each one apart. The previous SUV had nothing to dislike, but Mazda clearly stepped up its game with the interior, exterior, and various powertrain options.
Which Mazda CX-90 trim level should you pick?
The good news is the 2024 Mazda CX-90 has many options, with pricing from $39,595 up to $59,950. For this year, the CX-90 comes in two variations of the 3.3L inline-six turbo engine or the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). Our test vehicle was the CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus, with almost every option and upgraded feature. If you can swing the cost, the three-row SUV will reward you with quilted Nappa leather seats, 340 horsepower, and plenty of room for six passengers.
| 2024 Mazda CX-90 | CX-90 3.3 Turbo | CX-90 PHEV | CX-90 3.3 Turbo S |
| Select | $39,595 | ||
| Preferred | $43,335 | $47,445 | $51,750 |
| Preferred Plus | $45,900 | ||
| Premium | $48,900 | $52,900 | $56,450 |
| Premium Plus | $52,950 | $56,950 | $59,950 |
With that said, the Preferred and Preferred Plus trims come pretty well equipped for less cash. With all three powertrain options available and coming in above the base model, the CX-90 Preferred still checks all those boxes. The overall cost for our test vehicle was $61,920, with the $1,375 delivery and processing fee. All versions come with Mazda’s i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system.
What’s it like to drive the 2024 Mazda CX-90?
One thing is evident when you first get into the 2024 Mazda CX-90: the automaker put in a lot of work while designing this new three-row SUV. All of the work Mazda did is evident as soon as you see the inside of the cabin. For testing, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus is the highest trim level and starts at $59,950. It feels like a $60,000 SUV, too.
With the Rhodium white metallic exterior ($595 extra) and the tan Nappa leather, the Premium Plus lives up to its name. The tan Nappa leather looks as luxurious as it sounds. It comes off much more peanut butter or golden in person than it looks online, but in a good way. Our test model also had quilted leather in the first and second rows and heating in the second row. Spending time together in Florida in the summer, the air-conditioned front-row seats were much appreciated. This CX-90 has an MSRP of $61,920 with all those added options.
The eight-way adjustable power seat made finding a comfortable position easy. Visibility was good through the front and the back, even during some summer rain. Mazda’s 3.3L turbo engine with M Hybrid Boost only added to the fun. It was quick enough to move through traffic and had no trouble getting up to highway speed.
Some of the interior materials could present an issue down the line. While our Turbo S Premium Plus was pristine in almost every area, some of the plastic materials inside already showed wear. The black plastic area between the two seats was scratched up and looked much older than anything else in the vehicle. Flanked by the premium leather seats, the scratching stood out.
Is the CX-90 bigger than the 2023 CX-9?
Even though they look pretty similar, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is a bit bigger than the CX-9. The CX-90 is 201.6 inches long compared to the 199.4 inches of the CX-9 in total length. It also has a longer wheelbase, 122.8 inches, compared to 115.3. However, it doesn’t necessarily feel bigger. The front, side, and back cameras make it easy to see around the SUV. It also has plenty of sensors to warn the driver if anything is hidden out of view.
The 2024 CX-90 also has a surprisingly excellent turn radius of 38.1 ft. Turning around in a small parking lot was easier than expected, and parking, in general, was pretty easy. That isn’t always the case with some three-row SUVs. This 2024 Mazda CX-90 S Premium Plus was easy to move around tight parking lots but still had tons of room inside the cabin. The folding seats also made life easier with the added space.
The folding seats and cargo area offered plenty of versatile space for the test run to Target. The seats folded quickly and also returned to the seat position without much fuss. A power-folding rear door also made life easier with arms full of groceries.
How many miles per gallon does the Mazda CX-90 get?
Fuel economy for the 2024 Mazda CX-90 ranges from 25 mpg combined for the Turbo and Turbo S models to 56 MPGe combined for the PHEV. Mazda does suggest premium fuel for the Turbo S and PHEV models to get the best fuel economy and horsepower.
| Engine | Fuel Economy/Range | Horsepower/Torque |
| CX-90 3.3 Turbo S | 23 city/28 highway/25 mpg combined | 340 hp/369 lb-ft (Premium fuel) |
| CX-90 3.3 Turbo | 24 city/28 highway/25 mpg combined | 280 hp/332 lb-ft |
| CX-90 PHEV | 26 miles EV range, 490 miles total range, 56 MPGe combined | 323 hp/369 lb-ft (Premium fuel) |
Mazda also offers Mi-Drive, allowing the driver to switch between four modes: Normal, Sport, Off-road, and Towing. Most of our driving was in Normal mode, but Sport mode was fun and engaging. People often say that Mazda cars and SUVs are fun to drive, but the CX-90 sometimes feels like more of a sports car than a family SUV.
How safe is the Mazda CX-90?
Even though the 2024 CX-90 comes packed with many standard i-Activsense systems and safety features, none felt overwhelming. Mazda’s Smart Brake Support was helpful for slow-speed driving through shopping areas. It picked up a rogue shopping cart at Target and warned of another SUV backing up too quickly.
Road Keep Assist helps keep the SUV in the lane under 40 miles per hour. Blind-Spot Assist alerted to other vehicles while driving above 40 mph. The CX-90’s mirrors felt small at times, so this system helped see other cars out of view.
Other safety systems include:
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control
- See-Through View monitor
- Cruising and Traffic Support
- Vehicle Exit Warning
Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have rated the CX-90 yet, but testing will likely happen soon.
The editors at MotorBiscuit give the 2024 Mazda CX-90 a rating of 9.2 out of 10
After a thorough 2024 Mazda CX-90 review, we give the three-row SUV a 9.2 out of 10. The CX-90 exceeds expectations in most areas, and the extensive trim lineup means there is an option for most shoppers. As the brand’s new flagship SUV, the CX-90 is an excellent example of what Mazda can do.
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 earned high marks in all categories, such as interior, exterior, safety, and performance. It is a good option for those who need three rows of space but don’t want a large and cumbersome SUV. Three-row SUVs have a hard job, but the Turbo S Premium Plus makes it look pretty effortless.
