The 2024 Mazda CX-90 Delivers A Luxury SUV For $52,000 | Cars Uncovered _ Forbes
Built atop the brand's groundbreaking large platform, this three-row crossover stands as the flagship symbolizing the brand's bold ambitions. Distinctively larger, broader, and bearing a fierce stance, the CX-90 is an embodiment of a high-performance machine touched with an aura of premium sophistication. But what truly sets the CX-90 apart from its contemporaries is the advent of its electrified powertrain and sporty driving dynamics, providing the option between a pulsating inline 6 turbo and a plug-in hybrid – both engineered to offer a remarkable balance between swift performance and fuel efficiency. Jeff Guyton, the guiding force behind Mazda North American Operations, succinctly encapsulates the brand's vision, "With the CX-90, we've redefined the boundaries of design and performance in its segment, staying true to our commitment of enriching our customers' lives." With seating provisions for eight, the CX-90 promises to be comfortable and practical while not lacking fun from the driver's seat.
The core of the CX-90 lies in its performance metrics. An all-new platform, embedded with Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control previously seen in the MX-5 Miata, promises an unparalleled driving experience, curtailing body lift and optimizing grip. Its meticulous engineering accentuates rigidity and balance, bolstering the driver's confidence across varied terrains. But it's the e-Skyactiv G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo engine that becomes the beating heart, delivering a respectable 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. However, if you opt for the Turbo S and above models, that output is increased to a substantial 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Having only driven the “base” turbo model so far, I can say it offers excellent off the line acceleration thanks to all of the torque being available at a very low RPM range. The power comes on very smooth and linear as well, making the driving experience very smooth; that’s also thanks to the 8-speed automatic, a newer addition for Mazda.
The interior of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and design ingenuity. Stepping inside, occupants are welcomed by an ambiance that exudes modernity and openness, with the cabin's spacious design evoking a sense of airiness. Every element, from the dash to the door panels, has been constructed with a precision that speaks volumes about Mazda's commitment to quality. The materials used are not just high-grade but are assembled with such finesse that the CX-90 easily surpasses expectations for its class. Particularly noteworthy are the Nappa leather seats in the Premium Plus model; enveloping passengers in plush comfort that is both tactilely pleasing and aesthetically sumptuous. In every stitch and contour, the CX-90's interior showcases a blend of style and quality that is undeniably superior.
In terms of interior tech, the CX-90 seamlessly blends functionality with aesthetic finesse. Dominating the cabin's interface are two separate 12.3-inch
The core of the CX-90 lies in its performance metrics. An all-new platform, embedded with Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control previously seen in the MX-5 Miata, promises an unparalleled driving experience, curtailing body lift and optimizing grip. Its meticulous engineering accentuates rigidity and balance, bolstering the driver's confidence across varied terrains. But it's the e-Skyactiv G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo engine that becomes the beating heart, delivering a respectable 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. However, if you opt for the Turbo S and above models, that output is increased to a substantial 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Having only driven the “base” turbo model so far, I can say it offers excellent off the line acceleration thanks to all of the torque being available at a very low RPM range. The power comes on very smooth and linear as well, making the driving experience very smooth; that’s also thanks to the 8-speed automatic, a newer addition for Mazda.
The interior of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and design ingenuity. Stepping inside, occupants are welcomed by an ambiance that exudes modernity and openness, with the cabin's spacious design evoking a sense of airiness. Every element, from the dash to the door panels, has been constructed with a precision that speaks volumes about Mazda's commitment to quality. The materials used are not just high-grade but are assembled with such finesse that the CX-90 easily surpasses expectations for its class. Particularly noteworthy are the Nappa leather seats in the Premium Plus model; enveloping passengers in plush comfort that is both tactilely pleasing and aesthetically sumptuous. In every stitch and contour, the CX-90's interior showcases a blend of style and quality that is undeniably superior.
In terms of interior tech, the CX-90 seamlessly blends functionality with aesthetic finesse. Dominating the cabin's interface are two separate 12.3-inch
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MotorTranscript
00:00This is the 2024 Mazda CX-90.
00:03It is the new flagship from Mazda,
00:05and it replaces the very popular CX-9.
00:10Not long ago, Mazda was considered a budget brand.
00:13Their cars were not very expensive,
00:14and they were really fun to drive.
00:16Well, Mazda then decided that they
00:18wanted to keep their customers and their cars longer,
00:20so they began the journey to being a premium brand.
00:24The Mazda CX-90, which carries the most premium details,
00:28still carries that Mazda DNA.
00:30The grille on the Mazda CX-90 has a completely new design
00:34and a large Mazda badge that anchors the grille.
00:37Probably the most iconic detail on the CX-90,
00:40though, are the inline badges on the front fenders.
00:45That designates Mazda's inline six-cylinder engine.
00:49There are three different engine options on the Mazda CX-90.
00:53We are driving the Turbo Premium Plus model.
00:57The Turbo model has a six-cylinder engine
01:00that delivers 280 horsepower.
01:02Then there is the Turbo S, and the Turbo S
01:05gives you a choice of good or better horsepower,
01:09so 319 if you're using regular fuel or 340 horsepower
01:15if you're using premium fuel.
01:17And then there is a plug-in hybrid option.
01:19That is a four-cylinder engine, and that
01:22delivers 319 horsepower using regular gas
01:26or 323 using premium.
01:30Mazda did not reinvent the wheel.
01:32They just evolved the wheel.
01:34So you'll see some features that are very familiar.
01:37The three-spoke steering wheel is here.
01:40We've got entertainment functions here,
01:42driver assist, and adaptive cruise features here.
01:45There is a new gear selector.
01:47So we do have a new gear shifter here.
01:49This is basically your drive mode selector
01:52for sport, normal, and off-road.
01:54And then the last few years of Mazda's SUVs and sedans
01:58have had a similarly sized screen and a similar function.
02:02So none of this is different.
02:04It was always really good, and Mazda
02:06has left it as is for the Mazda CX-90.
02:11Another detail that Mazda engineers
02:13have deemed very important for driving safety
02:17is head-up display.
02:18And so almost all Mazdas either come standard
02:21with head-up display or have it as an option.
02:24So that you'll always have that key information right
02:27in front of you.
02:29On the interior of the Mazda CX-90,
02:31really the idea is to create a cabin of calm.
02:35Mazda puts a lot of stock in the quality of its materials.
02:38We'll see fabric on the dashboard
02:41or perhaps open-pore wood.
02:43In the Premium Plus model that we're in,
02:45we have white Nappa leather that covers all the surfaces
02:49where you would touch something.
02:51So maybe the dashboard, the door panels, the armrests,
02:54and of course, the seats.
02:56A really beautiful feature that Mazda's been big on
02:59since they started designing modern SUVs
03:03is this, the panoramic sunroof.
03:10In a family-focused SUV, third row access
03:13is really important, and Mazda knows this.
03:15So the center row seats are slide and tilt.
03:17Just pull this tab on the shoulder,
03:20and they tilt and slide forward.
03:22And you can actually slide them forward
03:23with the child passenger car seat installed.
03:26If you have a second row bench,
03:28this is how you're gonna get into the third row.
03:30The Mazda CX-90 starts at about $39,000.
03:33It's priced to about $59,000.
03:36The Premium Plus edition that we're driving
03:39comes in at $52,000.
03:41Mazda's journey to being a premium brand
03:44really thinks about the customer.
03:46Delivering that zoom-zoom experience
03:49that their customers have grown to enjoy
03:52while giving them the comforts
03:53and the premium features and details
03:55that they've come to expect in their cars.