3 Mazda Models With Worse Sales Than the New CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 is the newest model from the Japanese brand and serves as the replacement for the CX-9 midsize three-row SUV. Mazda has been revitalizing its lineup as of late, and the CX-90 serves as a notable step forward for the brand’s largest SUV with an available turbocharged inline-six drivetrain, a PHEV version, and slightly larger and more luxe accommodations. Additionally, despite just hitting the market for the 2024 model year, the CX-90 is already proving popular and selling better than three other Mazda models.
1. The CX-90 is already more popular than Mazda’s venerable roadster
According to GoodCarBadCar, nearly 11,000 Mazda CX-90 models have been sold since it hit the market earlier this year. CX-90 sales are bound to improve as the CX-9 leaves the market. The CX-90’s predecessor has sold over 17,000 units so far this year, though with dwindling numbers in August as inventory runs out.
Though it’s a fresh arrival to Mazda dealerships, the CX-90 is already outselling the brand’s heralded roadster, the MX-5 Miata. Just under 7,000 MX-5 Miata models have been sold through August, a massive uptick in year-over-year sales. Annual Miata sales are up 82% from this point last year.
Still, even if the Mazda MX-5 Miata is off to a stellar start in 2023, it comes as no surprise it’s not selling as well as the newly introduced CX-90. After all, a three-row midsize SUV casts a far wider net for potential buyers than a niche roadster, even if the MX-5 serves as the poster child for the affordable sports car segment.
2. The gas-only CX-90 is far outpacing the PHEV variant
Mazda is far from a leader in the electrified push across the automotive industry, but the CX-90 serves as an important step as the brand’s first plug-in hybrid SUV model. The CX-90 PHEV pairs a 2.5-liter inline-four, an electric motor, and a 17.8-kWh battery for a total output of 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The CX-90 PHEV can also deliver an estimated 25 miles of electric-only driving range.
The CX-90 PHEV was introduced to the market slightly later than the gas-only model, so it remains to be seen how many buyers will spring for the plug-in version in the long run. At least in the short term, though, most CX-90 buyers are sticking with the gas-only models.
Mazda has sold 1,700 CX-90 PHEV models through August. When combining sales of the PHEV CX-90 and the gas-only model, about 13.5% of buyers opt for the plug-in powertrain.
3. The CX-90 is unsurprisingly outselling Mazda’s only (and now canceled) EV
Though not as popular as the gas-only CX-90, the PHEV version is already setting the pace for Mazda’s electrified future when compared to the brand’s only EV, the MX-30. In fact, more CX-90 PHEV models were sold in August than MX-30s have been sold all year. Through August, just 100 MX-30s have landed on new driveways.
The compact MX-30 crossover was introduced for the 2022 model year, but already Mazda is pulling the plug and will discontinue its only EV in the U.S. following the 2023 model year.
The MX-30 didn’t have much of a chance, even among the still relatively niche EV market. It was only sold in California, and its appeal was further tarnished by only 100 miles of driving range. For context, the Hyundai Kona EV is priced and sized similarly to the MX-30 and delivers 258 miles of range on a single charge. It will also get there quicker with nearly 60 more hp than the Mazda electric SUV.
