The Mazda CX-90 has always been an excellent choice for finding a more value-orientated approach to a luxurious SUV. While the average consumer still views BMW, Mercedes, and Audi as the big three for this segment, Mazda has been building up its name as a premium brand, and the CX-90 sits as the flagship of this intent. By offering consumers top-spec features that are found in most high-end vehicles at a lower price, the notion of solidifying this message is starting to stick.
In such a crowded segment of the market, what has Mazda done to ensure maximum visibility? Between the muscular powertrain, emphasis on passenger comfort and genuine refinement, here are 10 things which are propelling the CX-90 into the realms of its main competitors.
Rear-Bias AWD Feel
Most three-row SUVs are built on front-wheel-drive platforms, which only becomes AWD if the rear is slipping. The CX 90s engine is mounted front to back, which means the front wheels are pushed forward, allowing for more dynamic handling and better weight distribution. Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system is tuned to send more power to the rear, reducing torque steer, which is common in higher-powered FWD-bias vehicles. Power to the front still steps in when faced with a lack of traction, but the Mazda CX90 has a surprising emphasis on sportiness – perhaps in the pursuit of Mercedes and BMW.
Mazda Commander Control
Mazda’s rotary-controlled infotainment system is bound to raise eyebrows for those of us used to a touchscreen. While touch is still used primarily for map functionality, the central dial is the main point of control for the rest of the CX-90s infotainment.Most vehicles now focus on enormous screens and everything being touch-oriented, just like BMW’s iDrive 9 system. While it isn’t as natural to use on the first day or two as a touchscreen, the ability to navigate complex menus using a dial without having to lean forward and look directly at the center dashboard of the car is far safer and more intuitive. In 2026, Euro NCAP started to reward manufacturers who offer physical buttons for critical functions.
Benefits Of The Central Command Center
- Research shows that physical buttons allow tasks to be completed quicker
- Using a touchscreen naturally tilts your posture forward, often causing lane drift
- On uneven road surfaces, touchscreens become difficult to use
- Premium tactility buttons introduce another layer of luxury
Remote Functions Through The MyMazda App
Touchscreens might be a nuisance in the interior of a car, but using your phone to monitor, check and alter your car’s state is a huge advantage.Through the MyMazda app, there are several significant aspects that can enrich the ease of living with a car. The app features the ability to start your engine before reaching your car, meaning it will be a more suitable temperature upon entering. There is also the ability to find your can in a busy car park, making leaving your car somewhere more unfamiliar. Mazda tends to include this as a 3-year trial, after which there is a subscription of roughly $10 per month.
More Features Of The CX-90 And MyMazda App
- You can check the status on whether your car is locked, or whether a door has left open
- It’s possible to set up the GPS system with directions before you’ve even got to the car
- If the car detects cold weather, it will automatically turn on the heated steering wheel
Specially Tuned Bose Audio System
Mazda went one step further than just choosing a reputable brand to partner with for the sound system of the CX-90. Instead,the vehicle’s cabin and speakers were designed together to create a specifically tuned environment for sound quality. This system takes into account all three rows of seating, making the experience for the backseats as premium as for those in the front and middle. Not only that, but by placing speakers and subwoofers in specifically carved areas for them, such as the front cowl corners, vibration is reduced.
There is also a host of other tricks to make the audio experience even more special. Centerpoint 2 and SurroundStage processing map out a soundstage to get the very best out of the Bose hardware. There is also a system which detects road noise and then changes certain frequencies through the speakers to cancel out the irritating hum of external distractions.
Premium Feel For All Three Rows, And Smart Climate
The CX-90 seamlessly utilizes its intelligence to give you a pleasing experience without having to fiddle around with settings. The seat sensors and climate control work hand in hand to deliver the correct temperature and airflow. For example, if the rear seats are empty, airflow will make its way to the first and second rows more efficiently. The third row truly does have its own, independent climate zone. The C-pillars and floor vents are designed to accommodate maximum comfort in the back of the CX-90, and the middle row gets its own digital climate control panel to feel just as luxurious as the front.
- Base Trim Engine
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3.3L Skyactiv-G 16
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
280 hp @ 5000 rpm
- Base Trim Torque
-
332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
24/28/25 mpg
- Make
-
Mazda
- Model
-
CX-90
- Segment
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Midsize SUV
Advanced Driver Alerts System
One of the most irritating aspects of modern safety equipment is the jarring nature of its overreactions that happen from time to time. On premium trims, an infrared camera monitors eye expressions, which can determine whether you are entering an early stage of microsleep or dissociation. This can cause notifications to pop-up on the central display to bring attention back to the road.
This system also softens traditionally sudden interventions through eye monitoring. If the vehicle detects an upcoming hazard and realizes you are looking at the road, its intervention is softer and more natural, but if you are looking away, it will be a more serious jolt to get your eyes back on the road. There are also more subtle warnings in the realm of safety. If you are lane-drifting, the CX-90 will play a low-frequency rumble through the speakers to gently get your attention. These softer approaches to safety systems mean drivers are less likely to get frustrated by sudden tech-based intrusions and more likely to keep them engaged.
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Long-Lasting Interior Quality And Refinement
Given how fast technology has moved forward in the past 5-10 years in the automotive world, it is likely car interiors from 2026 will start to age fast in the midst of a rapid increase in innovation. Because of this, and because of a commitment to high-quality refinement,the CX-90’s interior is designed to prove its premium credentials over time, rather than be a short-term playground of touchscreen novelty. BMW and Mercedes are so focused on creating a gadget-focused interior with hyperreal screens with the IX and the GLA that the core fundamentals of longevity and ergonomics are lacking.
The Craftsmanship Of The 2026 Mazda CX-90
- Maple wood trim and Kakenui stitching on higher-trim levels
- Nappa leather is premium quality and soft to touch
- Mazda specifically designed the seats to be stable and comfortable for ultra-long journeys
- Acoustic glass and sound deadening through high-quality insulation
Inline-Six Smoothness And Balance
In a world of downsizing, the Mazda CX-90 still offers a six-cylinder. Competitors like the Acura MDX and Toyota Grand Highlander may have swapped six-cylinder engines for less refined 4-cylinder options. While this has increased economy, it has also made it feel more effortful to drive. An inline-six is naturally balanced, and paired with a mild hybrid 48V system, the Mazda CX-90 feels incredibly velvety to drive. The mild-hybrid system is only to fill in the power blanks when the internal combustion engine is experiencing turbo lag and when torque isn’t instantly available. There is also a 4-cylinder PHEV version available, which yields similar performance.
2026 Mazda CX-90 Specifications
|
Turbo S Mild Hybrid |
Plug-in Hybrid |
|
|
Powertrain |
3.3-liter turbo inline-six |
2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
|
Horsepower |
340 |
323 |
|
Torque |
369 Ib-ft |
369 Ib-ft |
|
0-60 mph |
6.1 seconds |
6.6 seconds |
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Highly Configurable Seating Options
The Mazda CX-90s interior is designed to be highly modular, allowing for a range of different experiences. Whether it is used for doing the school run, being a camping adventure vehicle or carrying furniture from one place to another, Mazda has unlocked the ability for each of these things to be as easy as possible. Mazda offers two different choices for the 3rd row: a two-seat option and a three-seat option, giving a generous amount of customizability. You can also choose between a center console or an open aisle for the second row, which offers different benefits to a wider range of people.
More Seating Features
- 90-degree rear doors create a huge entry point and increase perceived practicality
- A simple one-touch button tilts and slides second-row seats for ease of use
- The third row features nappa leather, ventilation and USB-C ports
- The second row sits on rails, meaning there is a choice between legroom and trunk space