2024 Mazda CX-90 Goals to Be part of a Fancier Crowd

The Wall Road Journal advised us in early June that America’s beginning charge was falling, with 15 p.c fewer births in 2022 than in 2007. As well as, our fertility charge is hovering at lower than half the height of the late ’50s. However that hasn’t affected gross sales of three-row mid-size SUVs—the fashionable household’s substitute for the retro minivan—with gross sales working at an annual charge of greater than 1.3 million items. In fact, the mid-size class, as soon as outlined by a most size of 200 inches, is being stretched like our collective waistlines.

Contemplate this all-new Mazda CX-90, which replaces the CX-9 as the most important machine in Mazda’s lineup. It measures 200.8 inches lengthy—an inch and a half longer than its predecessor, and longer than the Honda Pilot, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Ford Explorer. However this does not translate to large inside house.

Sure, the CX-90 is a bit roomier than the CX-9, with 143 cubic ft of calculated inside quantity—a rise of about eight cubes. However it’s 10 to 12 cubic ft smaller inside than its aforementioned opponents. That is to not say the within is tight. This stays a spacious cabin within the first and second rows, with a 3rd row appropriate principally for teenagers. However the width is mostly just a little smaller in every single place than within the competitors.

It is attention-grabbing that regardless of the CX-90’s 122.8-inch wheelbase—the longest within the phase—legroom is one other space the place it falls behind. This may be partially as a result of the CX-90 has shifted from the transverse-engine, front-drive-based structure widespread to most of its opponents to a basic north-south rear-drive configuration. Energy comes from Mazda’s brand-new 3.3-liter inline-six engine, a really BMW-esque setup.

The engine employs a single turbo and is obtainable in two varieties: tuned for normal or premium gasoline. Our take a look at instance was the extra highly effective S mannequin, creating 340 ponies at 6000 rpm and 369 pound-feet of torque at 2000 rpm on premium (output falls barely on common, however nonetheless stays increased than the non-S model’s 280 horsepower). It is coupled to a brand-new eight-speed computerized developed by Mazda and bolstered by a 48-volt hybrid system that does not improve peak output however can help the engine with as a lot as 113 lb-ft of torque at low rpm, primarily when ranging from relaxation.

This all sounds very sporty, however we timed the CX-90 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and thru the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 99 mph. That is lots fast sufficient for household use, however solely a tenth faster in every measure than the 291-hp Hyundai Palisade—and slower than the 300-hp Ford Explorer. Much more stunning, regardless of the Mazda engine’s beneficiant torque and the hybrid increase, the CX-90 is simply common within the 30-to-50-mph and 50-to-70-mph intervals, which measure responsiveness in on a regular basis driving. And whereas the six-cylinder is clean and quiet in informal driving, full throttle raises the quantity significantly however with out producing the melodious growl we have come to count on from sporty and highly effective inline-sixes.

A few of this lack of midrange punch may be blamed on the moist clutch that replaces the torque converter utilized in most computerized transmissions. This transformation is probably answerable for serving to with the CX-90’s stellar gasoline financial system. The EPA scores for the S mannequin are 23 mpg metropolis, 28 freeway, and 25 mixed. Most opponents path by 4 or 5 mpg within the mixed ranking. And these numbers apply to the actual world, as our automotive achieved 29 mpg—1 mpg increased than the EPA quantity—on our 75-mph freeway take a look at.

In fact, Mazdas are normally identified for his or her above-average driving dynamics. We anticipated so much from the CX-90 on this regard, as a result of the machine enjoys a control-arm entrance suspension and extra balanced front-to-rear weight distribution than the standard front-drive-based SUV. At metropolis speeds the steering supplies good really feel, however at freeway speeds it turns into heavy, making the CX-90 appear bigger than it’s. Dealing with and stability are first rate however not particular, and cornering grip of 0.85 g is simply barely higher than the category common. The 70-mph stopping distance of 177 ft is, once more, solely common. And with this mannequin’s 21-inch wheels and tires, the trip was flinty on tough pavement, even with solely three folks and three heavy baggage aboard.

Inside, the styling is good-looking, however not all the supplies drew reward. In our top-of-the-line Premium Plus–package deal model, the tan nappa-leather upholstery is accompanied by massive swatches of tan suede on the dashboard face. A extra subdued design with a much less colourful inside can also be accessible.

What we did like was a full set of HVAC controls above the middle console, so we did not should discover the depths of the display menus to vary the temperature. Generally, the infotainment system works fairly effectively, managed by both contact or with a rotary controller on the console. Nevertheless, one factor odd concerning the HVAC controls was the pair of toggles used to lift and decrease the temperature setting for both facet of the entrance cabin. Urgent the blue one down lowered the temperature, however urgent the crimson one down raised the temperature. A single toggle with each up and down motions would have been less complicated, simpler, and extra logical.

Though base CX-90s begin at $40,970, our absolutely outfitted CX-90 stickered at $61,920, which is about $8000 greater than a loaded Hyundai Palisade and over $7000 greater than a top-shelf Kia Telluride. Mazda is attempting to push into the premium sphere with its new fashions, and in absolutely loaded Premium Plus guise, the CX-90 packs plenty of options and {hardware}. However the CX-90’s highest trim prices greater than our favourite three-row SUVs of their priciest spec, leaving us questioning whether or not the top-shelf CX-90 can leap over these cheaper opponents. We’ll have a solution as quickly as we assemble the phase for a comparability take a look at.

Contributing Editor

Csaba Csere joined Automotive and Driver in 1980 and by no means actually left. After serving as Technical Editor and Director, he was Editor-in-Chief from 1993 till his retirement from lively obligation in 2008. He continues to dabble in automotive journalism and LeMons racing, in addition to ministering to his 1965 Jaguar E-type, 2017 Porsche 911, and trio of bikes—when not snowboarding or mountaineering close to his residence in Colorado.