Every year there are plenty of minor updates for established vehicles, and even the occasional new generation for a well-known vehicle, but something truly new is much more rare. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is exactly that, however–a brand-new, completely original SUV designed to elevate the type of driving experience you probably expect from a three-row model. Before you head out looking for a Mazda CX-90 for sale, it’s worth taking some time to get to know what it has to offer first. This isn’t a middle-of-the-line model with a few trims and options available. There are many different CX-90 vehicles to choose from, including two very different engines.
In fact, there are actually three engine options, but two of them are the same turbocharged powertrain tuned to deliver different amounts of power. The third option, a remarkable plug-in hybrid engine, transforms the already impressive CX-90 into a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), designed to take you farther and make sure you enjoy the ride. On top of these basic considerations, there are also many different trim levels available, particularly for the CX-90 Turbo models, so it’s worth digging in a bit to figure out just what you need.
Mazda CX-90 Basics
Before we jump into some of the options available on the 2024 Mazda CX-90, let’s first go over a few basics that all of these variations have in common. For starters, the CX-90 sits at the top end of Mazda’s lineup. This is a large model, with three rows of seating inside for up to eight passengers. Every CX-90 model comes with Mazda’s i-Activsense safety technologies package, which includes a fantastic selection of standard and available options to help protect you on the road. For example, even the starting trim has Smart Brake Support to help you avoid a collision, along with a Lane Departure Warning System, Lane-Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring.
Similarly, all Mazda CX-90 models come with i-ACTIV all-wheel drive for excellent traction and control in all sorts of road conditions. You get a gorgeous interior with fantastic comfort and tech features, along with a stylish exterior that showcases modern Mazda design. Overall, the CX-90 looks great, runs beautifully, and delivers excellent performance. But exactly what kind of performance depends on the first big decision you need to make.
A Question of Power
The most important place to start with the CX-90 is choosing the powertrain that you want. There are three different options available, two turbocharged gas engines and a plug-in hybrid. Your first choice is to pick between the two basic options, a standard gas engine or the PHEV.
The standard engine on the CX-90 is an impressive e-SKYACTIV-G 3.3L Turbo I-6 engine that delivers 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. This is the engine you’ll find on models with just the word “Turbo” in the name, like the Turbo Select, Turbo Preferred, and Turbo Premium Plus.
If you want more power and improved performance, then you need to look for a single letter: “S.” Models like the CX-90 Turbo S, Turbo S Premium, and Turbo S Premium Plus all feature a high-output version of the 3.3L Turbo engine that delivers a remarkable 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. No matter which one you choose, it comes paired with a fantastic e-SKYACTIVE-Drive eight-speed automatic transmission for a smooth and responsive driving experience.
While both of these turbo engines are fantastic, there’s a third option that elevates the CX-90 to the next level, an e-SKYACTIV-G 2.5L 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine that delivers a combined 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This is slightly less power than the high-output version of the turbo engine, but you probably won’t feel much difference, especially because the torque numbers are identical. You also get to enjoy an estimated 56 MPGe of combined fuel economy with the PHEV model. Since this is a plug-in hybrid, it gets up to 26 miles of estimated electric-only range for short trips that won’t use any gas, and up to 490 miles of total driving range from a full tank when optimizing efficiency. You can’t go wrong with any of these engines, so it really comes down to personal preference.
Mazda CX-90 Turbo Trims
If you choose a Mazda CX-90 model with the turbo engine, then you have eight different trim levels to choose from. Five of them come with the standard version of the engine, and three are “S” models that have the high-output version instead. This is why your choice of engine is so important. It helps to limit the potentially overwhelming number of options you otherwise have.
There are some important things to consider when looking at different models. For example, the Turbo Select comes with leatherette-trimmed seating, three-zone automatic climate control, a Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry system, and a 10.25-inch Infotainment display along with a 7.0-inch LCD meter display.
Moving up to the Turbo Preferred trim, you get a number of upgrades such as leather-trimmed first- and second-row seating and heated front-row seats, and a power sliding glass moonroof. The Turbo Preferred Plus trim elevates your driving experience even further with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, along with a wireless phone charger for compatible devices.
Moving up to the Premium Plus trim, you’ll find exterior upgrades like automatic power-folding side mirrors, a hands-free rear power liftgate with programmable height adjustment, and larger 21-inch wheels (19-inch wheels are standard). Inside, the Premium Plus features Nappa leather-trimmed seating, heated and ventilated front seats with heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a pair of 12.3-inch displays, and a stunning Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system with 12 speakers.
The S versions of these trims, where available, are equipped the same as the standard versions, except with the more powerful turbo engine under the hood. Other than that, they are identical to the non-S versions. While the wide variety of trim levels can seem overwhelming at first, there is a method to them, and they enable you to choose the perfect CX-90 to fit your particular budget and needs.
Mazda CX-90 PHEV Trims
For the most part, the trims for the PHEV model are quite similar to what you can get with the Turbo models, but you have far fewer to choose from. Mazda offers just three PHEV trims, giving you a straightforward selection of starting, middle, and high-end options. The starting Preferred trim features a power sliding-glass moonroof, rear power liftgate with programmable height adjustment, and 19-inch wheels. Moving up to the Premium makes that a hands-free power liftgate and upgrades to 21-inch wheels, along with other improvements. Interior options are similar to the Turbo models, though starting with a higher trim means the CX-90 PHEV comes with leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, and a 12.3-inch digital LCD meter display for the driver, all standard equipment.
Choosing the Right Mazda CX-90
The great thing about the Mazda CX-90 is that you really can’t go wrong with any model. Even the lowest trim levels are fantastic. Choosing the right one simply comes down to understanding what you need and picking the features and options that check your particular boxes. Are you looking for a gorgeously-appointed three-row SUV with bold performance and advanced technology? Then take a look at the CX-90 Turbo S Premium or Premium Plus. If you want incredible driving range and efficiency, with great standard options and fewer frills, then the CX-90 PHEV Preferred could be perfect for you. Just remember to start with the powertrain, and everything else will unfold from there, which is why shopping for the new Mazda CX-90 is as simple as can be.
