Mazda CX-90
Safety

February Focus on XL Segment: Mazda CX-90 Review

Even though the nation has undergone rampant inflation over the past year, large-sized SUVs are still high in demand! The first-ever Mazda CX-90 is the brand’s official entry into this size category. International film star Hiroyuki Sanada reflected on behalf of the brand on how a vehicle built around its driver results in “so much more than just a car.” Delving into the domain of big, bold, and beautiful, the CX-90 boasts a few star-studded qualities that make us think it will possess an aggressively sporty edge.

Mazda CX-90 Review

A 340-horsepower 3.3-liter turbocharged straight-six engine sends power to all four wheels. The Torque Split is avidly on hand to quickly mix things up with a rear-wheel bias when needed. SUV aficionados are excited that the CX-90 will also use an 8-speed automatic. Many other brands are relying on slightly clunky CVTs. There’s a double-wishbone suspension up front, which offers up class-leading vehicle control. This allows for a very focused type of control over roll center height, caster angle, and toe pattern.

Design with promising purpose:

Mazda North America Operations President and CEO Jeffrey Guyton was thrilled with the CX-90’s reveal. When interviewed, he claimed that Mazda is now raising the bar in every segment daily. The CX-90 replaces the former dominating CX-9 and struts the paved runway with way more power than any Mazda vehicle ever built. The line’s flagship will be powered by a 3.3-liter longitudinally mounted inline six-cylinder. This powertrain cranks out 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

The M-Hybrid Boost system intuitively provides 48 volts of assistance to round things out, dropping an electric motor between the transmission and engine. The other engine selection is the 2.5-liter four, still offering up plenty of pep with 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It also has an electric motor that is slightly larger than the one paired with the inline-six. The electric motor derives power from the 17.8-kWh lithium-ion battery under the rear seats.

The Mazda CX-90’s “bite out of the bigtime”:

Both engines are paired with Mazda’s 8-speed automatic, with the absence of a torque converter. Inside, you are greeted with ample room for six, seven, or 8. The Autoweek review team was very impressed with the choice of interior fabrics. This variety of cloth and cross stitching are not found on any other model out there. The newest modelsreleased today have all been heatedly in a quest to see who can provide the latest (and largest!) infotainment screen.

The Mazda CX-90 takes the lower road with a 12.3-inch display, which is still ample for everything accessible during the drive. Drivers are loving larger-sized models even as gas prices rise. The ability to haul along a large family or friends in town for a visit is always worth an extra slight bit of pain at the pump! This is all new territory for Mazda. However, we are confident that drivers will appreciate their handling of a size appetite-inspired number.

What will the Mazda CX-90’s daily drive be like?

The CX-90’s full-time rear-biased i-ACTIV AWD, which is superior at constantly responding to varying terrain. Power is dynamically delivered to the wheels at the right time to ensure optimal traction. The Mazda Intelligent Drive Select provides the ability to “change moods” in ways drivers used to only dream of. You can pick between Normal, Sport, Off-road, and Towing to offer up the best means of game plan for the turf.

The raw engagement and thrill of Sport mode is a true testament to the joys of driving. It allows you to savor every imperfection in the road while blasting happily over it! When properly equipped, the Mazda CX-90 has a 5,000-lb. towing capacity. In addition, the available Towing mode provides the ultimate extra stability control, allowing for extra toys such as the boat to enjoy the weekend. Originally created for the MX-5 Miata, the Kinematic Posture Control greatly enhances stability to get you through corners.

A future-inspired sense of focus:

The technology on board the CX-90 creates an excellent experience that is hyper-focused and sharp. Every inch has been honed to deliver a segment-leading drive. The Mazda Driver Personalization System uses facial recognition technology to adjust the cockpit. The complimentary 3-year trial to Mazda Connected Services allows you to remotely start the engine, and constantly monitor the vehicle’s vitals.

Prime and reliable protection: the Mazda CX-90’s safety features

The Mazda CX-90 comes with an impressive lineup of standard safety features. Radar Cruise Control With Stop & Go makes commuting that much easier, smartly maintaining a minimum following distance from the traffic ahead. Lane Departure Warning and Lane-Keep Assist provide minor steering corrections to keep you in check and on point. Rear Seat Alert is a blessing for many busy parents on the go. It assures that you will never leave even the littlest passengers behind after you exit!

Utility + schedule-slaying capability:

With its sights set on competitors such as the Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90, the CX-90 is poised to offer a keen sense of adventure. With the 2nd and 3rd rows folded for the journey, you’ll end up with 75.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The hand-free Rear Power Liftgate features programmable height adjustment, making loading and unloading less challenging. If we had our choice, we would opt for the Artisan Red hue, applied in a multilayer process and making for a glossy finish.

Summing up the Mazda CX-90:

The current market is full of models that are innovative, fresh, and diverse. The CX-90 does have a unique feel even though some would render it a bit boxy from the outside. We think that one of its finest points will be its abundance of power. Most notably, the performance of the 8-speed automatic. Not quite as ordinary as the Suburban and relatively refined, we will be looking for the CX-90 to have a stunning and sporty appeal. What do you think of its appearance and features? Tell us in the comments below, or check out another article about its pre-release information.

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Jon Weirman
I am a freelance writer in the Midwest who specializes in vehicles built for expert-level off-roading, and anything with a staggering amount of horsepower. In my first life I worked in broadcasting for Starz Network and Discovery Channel. I also love retro video games and sci-fi movies. Everything from the loud and burly muscle cars of the late 1970s to new crossover SUVs with futuristic tech features have populated my inbox!

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