2024 Mazda CX 90 has women looking at its body and style. Women are saying yes to the 2024 CX 90 It’s the all-new three-row midsized SUV from Mazda. “All new” means exactly that: It uses a brand-new platform; it has Mazda’s first-ever inline six-cylinder engine. There’s a newly designed and built eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s a Plug-in hybrid model. Being able to place the engine longitudinally rather than transverse, as is often dictated by a front-wheel-drive design. Besides the impressive driving dynamics of the CX-90s, a step inside the finely crafted cabin points to the fact that this is a bold attempt to move the brand upscale.
The base CX-90 Turbo has a 280-horsepower, turbocharged 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup. This powerful version is the Turbo S, uses the same basic engine as the Turbo but bumped up to 340 hp, giving it the most horsepower and torque of any production engine from Mazda. Passing in traffic is effortless. The engine is happiest in middle of the rev range, as it can become gutless as redline approaches. It’s linked to an eight-speed automatic of Mazda’s own design, with wet clutches performing quick, nearly seamless shifts.
The start-stop system did balk a few times from a quick stop, making for a jerky getaway. But the CX-90’s engine provides an overall smooth experience. Mazda CX-90 is the brand’s new three-row crossover, and it’s the clearest signal yet of the automaker’s intention to move upmarket. Mazda has gone in a different direction than brands like Toyota or Honda, long considered its direct competitors, to build a vehicle that BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Audi, and other luxury brands. This is not just a facelift of the current CX-9, either. The CX-90 is totally new, with a new platform, new straight-six engine, and a mild-hybrid system among other developments.
There’s also a plug-in hybrid model that combines a four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and 17.8 kWh battery. The CX-90 is a compelling entry in the big crossover class, with specs and prices that should make Honda and BMW shoppers alike take notice. Pricing begins at $59,950 for the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus. Mazda charges a $1,375 destination on all CX-90s. The three-row SUV can be configured to carry six, seven, or eight occupants.
Global One Magazine 