2024 Mazda CX90 review // A second drive and not all perfect!

This is a Motormouth couple car review of the all-new 2024 Mazda CX-90 mid-size 3-row SUV. We were both really looking forward to driving the Mazda CX-90 for the week as we only had it for a short time in California. One thing we are really interested in is fuel economy. We have the high output 3.3L inline 6 turbo with a mild hybrid system, an 8-speed automatic transmission, 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. You can put regular fuel in this model but you’ll get a little less horsepower, torque number stays the same.
The official fuel economy is 10.3L/100 km, 23 MPG city and 8.5L/100 km, 28 MPG highway.
There is also the standard engine, a 3.3L inline 6 turbo with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque with regular fuel. Standard rear-biased AWD for all models.
The Mazda CX-90 standard engine gets 9.9L/100 km, 24 MPG city and 8.4L/100 km, 28 MPG highway. Not a huge difference between the two powertrains.
The Mazda CX-90 comes with some nice standard features like a 7” driver display, 10.25” centre display with Mazda Connect, wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto, manual heated black cloth front seats, an 8-speaker audio system and 8-passenger seating. In the US, 7-passenger seating is also available on the base trim and a power driver’s seat.
Best value trim in Canada goes to the Mazda CX-90 GT Model with the standard engine for $55,350 CAD, features include 7-passenger seating, leather trimmed upholstery, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto and a Bose sound system to name a few. Key features missing on this trim include, driver seat memory, ventilated front seats, a power passenger seat and the larger 12.3” screens.In the US, it’s the Premium Plus model with the standard engine for $52,950 USD. It gets all the features the high output top trim gets, but it’s a 7-passenger vehicle and it adds the larger screens.
Here’s the pricing for the other trims available. In Canada, the Mazda CX-90 starts at $45,900, GS-L $49,300, GT-P $59,300 and Signature $63,300.
In the US, the Mazda CX-90Select $39,595, Preferred $43,445, Preferred Plus $45,900, Premium, $48,900, S-P $51,750, S Premium-P $56,450, S Premium Plus-P $59,950.

Get the dealership cost, any rebates and special interest rates, plus secret discounts, go to CarCostCanada. Use the promo code MOTORMOUTH to become an expert member.

We are driving the top trim in Artisan Red with a beautiful tan Nappa leather interior for

[tlevans]

Mazda is really hitting it out of the ball park with this. The interior is amazing, real buttons and no piano black plastics. Inline six and real wheel drive bias. What's not to love about the direction they're going.. ❤

[anuragbhatnagar]

I ordered black GT last month, I took a test drive and I loved it. So powerful, perfect handling and affordable 7 seater.

[Scottyboyhvacdude]

I can't wait for the cx70. Hopefully they've got some of the power train stuff resolved. Thanks for the great reviews!!

[modernsoccer]

This is one of the few reviews I watch because of honest and unbiased review

[TalismanPHX]

What a beautiful vehicle, inside and out. I have no need for 3 rows, so I'm waiting for the CX70

[cwqrpportable]

Another great review folks. I really love your presentation style and you work together seamlessly.

[Vlican]

thanks for touching on the transmission issues. a few reviewers have mentioned the lag as well. it's a deal breaker personally... transmission responsiveness is crucial to the driving experience

[jodi_caffeinatedyarn]

That artisan red is gorgeous! Maybe when our RX350 dies we'll get one of these -- after they've ironed out the kinks. Andrea, I want to try your arm routine! You look so strong!!!

[kellingtonlink]

I’m very impressed. Very impressed. At $65, 000 this a great deal (Acura MDX A-spec, any German premium SUV or even a loaded Palisade/Telluride). At $45, 000! for a stripper (GS) its an even better deal. It’s main, perhaps only competition, might be Toyota’s ever-so-predictable (boring?) Highlander. This new capricious approach by both Mazda’s design and engineering departments might be onto something. And I like it. Thanks for the video.

[jazzjokesjalopies]

You guys always do such a nice job. Agree about the interior—very sharp.

[computerweenie]

Really like the exterior color and glad to see that some manufacturers have realized there are more interior colors than black, black, black or black.

[kingkrimson]

Let's hear it for Mazda's reds! First Soul Red, and now this gorgeous Artisan Red that just pops on a bright day. Classy colour.

[spamfilter]

Funny, this is probably the only time US gets the pronunciation correct! In Japan, it's written as Ma-Tsu-Da in Katakana Japanese (also the last name of the founder). Their Ma pronunciation is like "ma" as in mother, and they won't be able to pronounce it the way you Canadians do. Therefore, American way is correct, just sayin' :)

[Chiroman]

Great review Guys as usual. The Cx-90 is truly a spectacular SUV for the for sure. I have not driven it, I have a 22 MDX Advance (leased in 8/2021) which I truly enjoy and has been completely Trouble free with only 12K miles on it. Pertaining to your comments about Mazda addressing the "software" issues with the TCM /ECU causing hesitation and /or abrupt shifts, I'll tell a brief story. In 2010, I leased an Infiniti G37X (replaced my 2007 G35X - which to that date was the best car I ever had at 56 years old then). That year Infiniti just came out with their new 7spd Auto Tranny. Although I test drove the car very briefly (same 3.5 Liter engine as the G35X), when I drove it home form the dealership with a smile on my face I said WTF was that!! It was Laggy, and felt like the old OD auto trannys in my Pontiac. I called the Saleslady the next day, and she told me to bring it in the following day. The service Tech and Manager said to me: That 's the way they drive!! There's Nothing Wrong. I learned to play with the throttle a little to minimize that Lagginess. But it was far from the G35X (with a 5 spd AT). I started Blogging on an Infiniti's Owner site and found it was pretty common complaint. I brought that car back to service numerous times and had 2 Techs and a Regional Manager take drives with me where they attached a Laptop to the Car's CPU to try to measure the issues. They couldn't. Then suddenly about two years after griping, Infiniti issues a Software Update to the CPU /TCM - that bad made the ride much better, not perfect, but better. My dealer (pepe Infiniti in White Plains, NY - the largest in the NE USA), complimented me! They said, because my constant griping (and many others too, but I was the most Ardent one), Infiniti responded and issued this Update. This only served to prove how much cars are Computer driven - changing engine Timing, Tranny shifts, etc. PS.. whne that leased ended about a year later, I took a new 2013 Infiniti M37X. All the Tranny Bugs were gone.... That was the best Car I ever had, surpassing the 2007 G35X. It had near Audi handling, Steering responsiveness, comfortable ride, and a decent height for a Sports Sedan - easy to enter and exit the car. It was the Best Value compared to the Audi A6, The BMW, Acura, and MB competitive models, by far, yet I saw very few on the road in my vicinity. I should have Bought that car at lease expiration, but did not and got a SUV. That's another story.

[ronaldcoleman]

great review thanks for bringing out the transmission problems ive read them before i would not buy before the trans recal

[KuyaArbee]

WOW the B roll footage is stunning! this CX90 is making me consider MAZDA in the FUTURE! what a BEAUTY! the top TRIM is definitely worth it

[alexgenc]

Having driven both mdx and cx90, I can easily say that if you are after having fun while getting some practicality, go for the Mazda. There is a reason BMW uses inline 6 with RWD and called the ultimate driving machine.

[gabrielvelazquez]

Excellent review, 🎉she definitely play an important role in the review . Bravo guys!!

[HighCrimesMisdemeanors]

I bought one of these a month ago. AMAZING car. Mazda has outdone themselves on this one.

[mikestafford]

We just took delivery of the GT-P in deep crystal blue with the white nappa leather interior. So far it’s been fantastic but I do agree with the transmission seems to be something that needs to be worked on.