2024 Mazda CX-90 REVIEW | The 3-Row SUV That's Actually FUN to Drive

The CX-90 is the driving and style antidote to the hot selling Toyota Highlander.
While it doesn't offer the most space it does have the best styling, interior, and driving experience in the class. It will make you want to take a drive for no reason! We review the top trim Turbo S Premium Plus and have a lot to talk about
Don't miss our Skyline Drive Road Trip
• Road Tripping the 2024...
And if towing is important check out:
• 2023 Mazda CX-90 Towin...
And if off road performance is important you will want to see TFL's AWD slip test.
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Its stylish and powerful, luxurious, and stylish three-row SUV that offers a premium driving experience. It is powered by a new turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine that produces 280 or 340 horsepower, and it comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Trim Levels
280 HP
Select
Preferred
Preferred Plus
Premium
Premium Plus
340 HP
S
S Premium
S Premium Plus
00:00 Intro
00:48 Walk-Around
01:25 Turbo-S Premium Plus Price
02:11 Cargo Room
03:23 Third Row Room
04:02 Interior
07:36 Digital Instrument Cluster
10:47 Engine Bay
12:42 Driving Impressions - Country Roads
19:06 Highway Driving
21:37 I-Stop, Hybrid and Fuel Economy
23:47 Slow Speed Driving
24:55 Thoughts and Recommendations
#suv #mazda #cx90 #mazdacx90 #telluride #grandhighlander

[@MarkDParker]

We just leased a CX90 inline -6 a couple days ago. Not being familiar with late-model Mazda's, I'm still just trying to get used to it (after having driven Subaru Foresters for the last 6 years). I don't even have 100 miles on this car... That said, it's as comfortable to drive as it looks and surprisingly agile for its size. The infotainment system was easier to get used to than I expected. Not missing the touchscreen so far. I couldn't find the dip stick, so thank you for pointing that out! I was dreading not having that. So far all of my negative feelings about this car are imaginary. The Car Nut has me worried about long-term maintenance, and I may not have gotten the best deal in the world, but the deal fits my budget and at the very least it should be a great car for the next three years. In six months if I don't love it, I seriously doubt I'll hate it.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Congratulations! Quite the step up from the Forester. There is no better car than one that fits your budget. Plus it’s a great driving CX-90. Definitely just enjoy it! Thanks for sharing and watching! Happy motoring and keep in touch on your CX-90 experience.

[@chansformer]

@TemporalFlush -Congratulations and totally agree with this video and your comment. We got one of these right before Christmas, Turbo S base in Platinum Quartz, and it's a beauty. Has more than enough bells and whistles than we need. More than enough room for me, wife, baby, and a 45lb dog. In our opinion, interior and exterior look better than other vehicles we've looked at, such as the Lexus RX (they didn't have a TX yet) , Toyota Grand Highlander and Honda Pilot, to name a few. This is a comfortable 3rd row vehicle that drives like a sport sedan and we have an Audi S5 Sportback sedan. Also, this fits the bill. We've only put about 200 miles on it so far and have enjoyed every mile and I'm sure we'll enjoy it for many miles to come. P.S. -The CX-90 drives more like a BMW X5/X7...but the BMWs were more pricey. @BeyondTheTestDrive -Great video and review!

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

@@chansformercongrats on your CX-90! And double thanks for watching and commenting. All the best and happy motoring!

[@canadainfoplace6178]

@MarkDParker congratulations on your Mazda CX90! How has been so far about six months down the line? I am looking to get this yMazda or a Toyota Grand Highlander

[@MarkDParker]

@@canadainfoplace6178 so far no problems. The long wheel base and long hood takes some getting used to. But overall a great car that hasn't given me trouble

[@sheldonduffy9442]

FYI… software updates have made the transmission much better! Totally agree about the lack of nooks and crannies on road trips with the family. Otherwise a great vehicle that I am enjoying. My highlights are a very nice interior that even if it isn’t the best looking ( I have the black interior) NOTHING looks cheap. Also, it is so hard to believe how heavy this vehicle is, it drives so much smaller than what it is.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for sharing and congrats on a great car. Glad to hear software updates are rolling out. We really like the CX-90 and that black interior also looks sharp. We hope to have a review of the PHEV out in mid January after spending a week with one. Really looking forward to that. All the best and happy motoring.

[@vicktharula8317]

How did you get the software update??? Did you have to go to the dealer for that?

[@imagepixels6042]

We ordered ours July ‘23, picked her up October. We’re extremely happy. The ride is smooth, quiet, comfortable. We enjoy the visual appeal, instant power when needed, cornering is fun, Sport mode is zoom zoom.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Congratulations! Glad you are enjoying your 90. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience! All the best and happy motoring.

[@xsej4223]

Nice review! I got the 280 hp more than enough power. Dont care too much about the space as i only have 2 kids. But man,, the handling, acceleration, and looks.. so fun to drive for an suv.. no regrets. The transmission behaves like how its design.. 1st to 2nd gear yes you feel it but thats the characteristic of it.. way better than driving with a cvt for me.. this cx 90 has the driving spirit..

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching! And congrats on a great car. The 280 hp trims are really foot with plenty of go. And great to hear from someone who values the drive! Thanks again and happy motoring.

[@reneguerrero4657]

They said the trnsmission issue will eventually adjust after a few thousan miles. I’m interestd in how is behaves in no so oerfect roads.

[@xsej4223]

@@reneguerrero4657 yes. It does.

[@oshanebent]

I've been waiting for this review for a while... Well done!

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and the nice comment! Happy motoring!

[@Acs2046]

I think they knocked this out of the park design wise, inside and out. I think the criticisms of he drivetrain are justified given the price point, but it’s also a risk you take purchasing a brand new model. Great review

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Bingo! Thanks for watching and for the always great comments. 😉

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Ok. This is a little long but there is a lot to talk about. Mazda understood the assignment and came close to acing the test. Other reviews have been hard on the lack of refinement of its mild hybrid system but it’s occasional and only at slow speeds. Sure it could be better but as an overall package of driving fun this is excellent.

[@Imperialist_Boi]

Also it’s their first time doing something like that

[@mbenton6]

About driving slow, all of the quirkiness smooths out after about a 2 to 3 weeks of driving. Sir, you should have done some more research, but all the stuff you're complaining about does away after 2 weeks or so

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

@@mbenton6​​⁠ thanks for watching Maurice and commenting. Just to be clear do you mean time or miles? This press test review unit has nearly 12k miles on it and came into service about six months ago. It actually performs quite well as evident and stated in the video.

[@mbenton6]

@BeyondTheTestDrive driving. The transmissions and driving mechanics leans the driver everything smooths out after driving consistently for 3 to 3 weeks. So miles. It calculates your inputs over a period of time and driving. It will not fix it if you're not driving and just having it sit

[@brytonmunro5270]

Mazda makes such graceful and gorgeous looking vehicles. I’m so proud of Mazda! I love my Mazda 3 and I’m considering the CX-5 next after a refresh that’s inevitably coming soon!

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. We also own a Mazda 3 and hopefully you have checked out our long term owner series. We are big fans of Mazda All the best and happy motoring.

[@Steven-en6uu]

If you really need more nooks & crannies I suggest Thomas' English Muffins 😀

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

😂. Love those nooks and crannies! And they taste good too!

[@abudhabi1956]

My 3rd Mazda now being the 23 CX9 I have set for 2 years with 1 left to go, my dealer is already trying to get me in one of these through huge incentives due to them not moving, I have been doing my diligence and I love the new look, it's the same size as mine, I do not like the I stop whatsoever, too many timing chains to worry about if purchase is a consideration and the hard shifting I am unsure about, I realize some of these can be worked out, but others would be major to correct and I dont see any corrections being made by the time the CX9 is due to be returned, but we'll see!!!

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and commenting. We also have a CX-9. I like both the CX-90 and 9 equally. We’ll have a side by side driving video of the two soon. While the 90 is better in every way long term reliability is a question and the CX-9 is actually a little more playful. We did enjoy much better MPGs in our week with the 90.

[@BigdisplacementI6]

Nice review! I want to hold out and wait for Mazda to perfect the Inline 6 and 8 speed auto. Waiting for a CX-70 next year which is a wider version of CX-60. Would get base trim for a 18" wheel combo and smoother ride. This would definitely make Honda Passports and Toyota Venza/Highlanders dated :)

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching! You have a great plan. I think the CX-70 will be a real alternative to the Lexus RX, Acura RDX, X3, X5. Hopefully it is lighter than the 90. Thanks again and happy motoring.

[@clarkkent9080]

The CX-70 is the same exact size as the CX-90 but with only two rows.

[@MrKhalidGH]

Thank you for the review, what's tha name of the color? Platinum quartz?

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching! This one was in Rhodium White Metallic. It could stand a little more metallic flake in it.

[@reneguerrero4657]

You mentioned the suspension is firm but what car can you compare it to with regards to how it handles not so perfect roads?

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and for the question. Ride quality is hard to quantify but Mazdas in general usually ride a little firmer than say other main stream brands like Toyota and Nissan. A firm ride here means you have some confidence to toss the car into a turn without it wallowing or feeling floaty. And you feel the undulations and irregularities in the road but you can also feel the independent suspension on each wheel doing its thing to smooth out the ride. Competitors like the Highlander or Pilot are softer sprung with slower damping. These give you a cushier more floaty ride but some body roll and wallowing if you try to drive them hard. They do handle fine and predictably though. The best thing is to get a test drive and make sure you take it over some rough roads. The CX-90 feels solid and quiet over the rough stuff but you will feel the bumps. If you like to take a drive down some curvy fun roads it really is tops among the main stream brands. Hope this helps.

[@scottpeavey5464]

I have a Volvo, but am interested in this. The one thing I like about my Volvo, are the heavy doors. These doors on the video sound tinny, are they?

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and the great question. Compared to the heavy solid doors in the outgoing CX-9 these CX-90 days are much lighter and way easier to open and close. It now has the unique door thunk of the 3, CX-30, and CX-50. Not sure it’s an issue though as it is nice to open the doors and they open very wide. I would agree that it’s not a germanesque thunk. It is a 4800 lb vehicle to overall a real solid ride.

[@Imperialist_Boi]

Love the design and all the good stuff but I’m not a big fan of HUMONGUS vehicles. That’s why I would be a lot more interested in something being the same but smaller, which I suppose would be the CX-70. The white looks good and classy but in my opinion the new signature red is superior.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Me neither. But I do enjoy hanging out with this. I think the CX-70 is going to be a big hit for Mazda. Hopefully they can get some weight out of it.

[@scottpeavey5464]

Everyone is having issues with the steering rack, grinding and creaking?

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Haven’t heard it’s a widespread issue. I would say that a couple of times when parking there was a creak. Assumed it was a strut. Maybe once in the PHEV that we just finished reviewing. Not sure if it’s the steering rack but that could be it. It happened so infrequently I never really paid much attention to it.

[@imagepixels6042]

I’m not having troubles with the steering rack! CX-90 Soul Crystal Red/Napa White, Turbo Premium Plus.

[@tdkleffman]

Can the fake engine noise be turned off?

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching and for the question. Not that I know of. Mazda is fairly coy on this topic, and it’s unclear about how much it really is. I found the sounds very pleasant as a mix of mainly real noises and some small amount of piped in noise.

[@JY__L]

The Grand Highlander is good on carrying people.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching! For people and stuff moving, the Grand Highlander is hard to beat.

[@clarkkent9080]

Watch the Car Care nut explain the lack of serviceability. Lease is ok but I would not recommend buying one

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Thanks for watching. Yea, he is one of the reference reviews I cover in the below link. I am also hoping Mazda will address this concern soon as it seems one of the major concerns with this new engine. Thanks again and all the best. CX-90 Reviews Are Here | We Cover Four of the Big Ones On Our Morning News Drive kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKTYo4GNhqhpr6s

[@clarkkent9080]

@@BeyondTheTestDrive The CCN now has his own shop. When he does these new vehicle reviews, he reviews the repair database, in this case for the CX-90. The repair database is provided by Mazda detailing the mechanical construction and what work is necessary to repair/replace a component. It is basically his experience as a mechanic on what components tend to fail and based on the Mazda repair database, what work is necessary to access to part. I don't know what Mazda could address on this issue except to say they don't expect anything to fail.....which any sane person knows is not true. I am a long time Mazda owner and have had good luck with their vehicles but the CX-90 is significantly more complex than anything they have ever produced and unlike their other models, it has a definite serviceability issue. Good lease vehicle but not something I would buy.

[@BeyondTheTestDrive]

Great info. Thanks

[@mbenton6]

You sound crazy. I bought this exact car in artisan Red. Love it love it love it. You sound nutty. You are everywhere spewing nonsense

[@Kstxrd]

@@clarkkent9080 My 2017 Toyota Tacoma developed an oil leak at 80k at the cam cover which requires the engine to be pulled out to repair. Mazda is just like a Toyota in this case.

[@EddieCesegna]

It is so ridiculous info entertainment center screen size! For that price and car level Should be bigger!