Did the transmission updates help? // 2025 Mazda CX-90 review

[@Motormouth...]

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[@kurtpenner2362]

CX-70 PHEV owner here. Totally love it. No complaints about the transmission here. The rest of the car is also great. Handles and steers much better than it should for this size and weight.

[@nicholassmith7048]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="126">2:06</a> Mazda, unlike so many manufacturers today, still knows how to design proper tailllights with separate running, brake and amber turn signal. Kudos, Mazda, and keep it up.

[@Richardak600]

I have driven Mazda's since 2007. I drove 3 different Mazda 3's , 2 Mazda 6's and so far 3 cx 5's . We are a two car family and only see more Mazdas in our future.

[@gregholloway2656]

Thanks for the re-review on the CX90. Nice that you were able to pickup a new sponsor for your videos. 👍

[@michaelgarvin8621]

Glad to hear that they improved the transmission, almost there 👍. Good review 👍👍🙂

[@YananoBere]

So happy to see this update! Super helpful insights thank you

[@TalismanPHX]

What a good looking machine. Glad that the transmission shifting is much smoother.

[@genzigzag]

Thanks for the update Zack and Andrea! Mazda is known for their constant improvements within model generations. My disappointment is with the CX-70 as a standalone model and not a 3rd row delete option. The ROW CX-60 would have been a home run.

[@borisnjers]

Mazda is special in many ways but man i would love them to just extend their frontseats. Just do that and they will have me for the rest of my life.

[@whatthe6532]

Me too.

[@Fly-nf1hq]

Great review guys thanks!!!

[@Ignignot1]

We bought a GS over Christmas, and it is a smoking deal. The heated seats are about the best I've tried. I never knew I needed 332ftlbs until I had it. Super happy with our choice.

[@barney2001]

You can put up easily I think with an 85% transmission for over the $10k price difference with the competition. Well done Mazda.

[@andreaspencer9813]

That base model is priced incredibly well.

[@elsaandnoah]

I like all Mazda models at this point but don’t own one. I think North America should’ve gotten the CX-60 too

[@DjdMenis]

I agree the transmission is much better, but still needs more refinement. Once my recall was completed I was no longer able to use my remote start.

[@SimonLee9772]

Yes, Andrea! There is definitely something wrong with the rear quarter panel/roofline design; it's just weird and bulky looking in the rear and looks somehow out of balance. It upsets my spirit looking at it. Haha.

[@jasondickens9003]

Seat comfort can only be evaluated throughly with some long distance driving. I highly suggest that a perspective customer rent a CX-90 through toro to spend some days doing long distance driving to get a feel for how good or bad the seat comfort may be. We were in the market to buy a new SUV and considered a MDX. The seats look good statically but on long distance driving the seats were horrible for comfort. Even our teenage kids complained that the rear seats were uncomfortable. Thank goodness we rented the vehicle for a weekend trip thus confirming how bad the seats were. We were able to take the MDX off of the consideration list before committing to a purchase.

[@danhall3450]

Excellent advice!

[@tomschroeder4516]

2020 CX-9 owner and test drove a 2024 CX-90 thinking with the inline 6 and electric assist, would provide a smoother power and shifting. heck - just more refined than my 9......my 20 mile test drive had me really confused how it could be worst than my 9. Glad they have made improvements for 2025.

[@CUBICUB]

Great review

[@woodydawg77]

Is Mazda the unsung hero of driving? I know they have a very dedicated customer base. People I know who have owned a Mazda product, have loved it. I have only ever driven one? It's been some time now. Looks nice though.

[@roncaron-l1r]

Hi very cold here good review Andrea@Zack love it (Ty Ron

[@kartikkantheti5690]

Thank you guys for the push. This is back in my shortlist with the addition of the bench seats for most of the trims. From the competition i would switch the highlander with the hyundai palisade

[@lawrencemerrick3063]

Looks like a good people mover. Nice job guys

[@En-Route1]

Good Review. Thank-you

[@jeremiahcrowley8178]

Mazda is offering some good APR rates in the US compared to competitors, definitely something to consider when actually crunching the numbers

[@jimnevin763]

I almost bought one but just couldn't overcome my distaste for that frumpy rear end in spite of the beautiful interior and elegant front end. I chose the Pilot Sport 4WD instead which certainly isn't elegant but at least it dresses for the part.

[@KenCheng]

Weird that for a company coming out with cars that a lot of people considered "borderline luxury", someone in the company thought it was a good idea that heated seats shouldn't be standard 😒

[@andreaspencer9813]

Only in the US, but in Canada heated front seats are standard. I agree with you though, it should come standard with them. It's odd Mazda USA added leatherette upholstery, a power driver’s seat and a power liftgate as standard equipment instead.

[@kurtgrundel4045]

It is packaged for lazy Yanks.

[@lawrencemerrick3063]

Love the sunroof it looks bright and erie

[@andreaspencer9813]

Yes, it makes the cabin feel very open.

[@redlinenorma1]

How does the steering perform on the scale from zero to x5 or cayenne? 😅

[@bottscoje]

How do you light and then extinguish the manual heated seats? XD

[@10OF9OFBORG]

Beautiful vehicle. Touchscreen needs to change. Good show Andrea! ☕️☕️

[@andreaspencer9813]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@10OF9OFBORG]

@ I’m always enjoy your videos and this vehicle nice! 👍🏻

[@timphillips4147]

Can't believe front heated seats not standard on this car when Kia offer tons more extras across their trims.

[@davidjym]

But Kia is ugly

[@jeffer1101]

Good they are fixing the transmission software, but I'm with you guys. The ZF 8 speed already exists. They should have just bought that and used it rather than try to reinvent the wheel. I can't imagine any money saved by designing in house instead of buying the ZF unit will be realized now.

[@bhmbill]

Do you lose the spare tire in the PHEV?

[@andreaspencer9813]

You do not, it comes standard with a temporary spare tire.

[@curseknight5]

I was going to say... was the transmission like the early CLA dual clutch type of rough?

[@willoverkill8461]

I love the styling on the CX90, one of those "I have to stare when it goes by" vehicles. I found the seating position was narrow between the wide center console and the interior door handle that stuck out, disappointing because it was high on my interest list.

[@johnsanford3596]

Likewise. They should pay more attention to width below the hips.

[@ote74]

Wish the front cup holder was not tucked under the dash. Can't use it for a tall water bottle.

[@Fivemonthslater1]

I have a very tall water bottle and it works just fine in my 90.

[@johnsanford3596]

Just to be clear, the transmission updates are software only? Which means the same updates can be/have been applied to 2024 models?

[@Fivemonthslater1]

Yes. My 2024 got all the updates. Smooth as silk.

[@StevenJayOh]

Are the software updates available to retrofit on 2024 models?

[@andreaspencer9813]

Yes, they are available.

[@joenunes6227]

People sure like tall wagons. I guess they are good for getting in and out of.

[@jl9752]

It certainly does. I’ve been a coupe or a hatchback guy for 20 plus years until I herniated my back and getting in and out of cars have been quite challenging. I’ve recently switched to a pilot and I’m loving it 😊

[@hyrenaj2888]

I can certainly understand it after seeing my older relatives struggle to get into even midsize sedans, nevermind sporty coupes or subcompacts.

[@artemartem8425]

Is CX-60 comes to Canadian market ?

[@andreaspencer9813]

No plans for it.

[@JayRay61]

Mazda fan, glad to hear the shifting has been improved. 😊 Does the PHEV version use the same tranny as the ICE versions?

[@bassandtrebleclef]

Appreciate the follow up review. That's not typical, but it's great to see. Do you guys know if Mazda is planning on putting their inline 6 engine in anything other than the cx70/90?

[@andreaspencer9813]

No we haven't received any information from Mazda on that.

[@tetetcastaneda808]

An almost sorted transmission is not comforting. Furthermore, if this is being promoted as a luxury segment, the suspension ought to be soft, lightweight, and comfortable.

[@kmpquinn]

Keep trying to give Mazda an opportunity to change my mind about how I feel about the brand. Had one of these with the inline 6 as a rental for 3 days following the software update. Love the looks and styling but the driving experience was awful. The engine noise and transmission shifting is not something I would ever spend my hard earned dollars on. Can’t understand the appeal this would have to any family. I would not consider it engaging or fun to drive. Mazda’s not my jam I guess.

[@Billn1971]

Auto start/stop needs to go away!!!! It barely saves a teaspoon of fuel. Completely useless. Just something else to repair long term. 🙄

[@En-Route1]

It’s there to help automakers hit their emissions targets but will likely become a repair expense. Not a fan of them either.

[@laurielavallee411]

I thought I had heard that this was a mandate from the government.

[@lawrencemerrick3063]

Longer legs are nice Zack 😉

[@sanotyobe]

i have mazda and its uncomfortbla for longer ride.

[@Fivemonthslater1]

Bummer. I drove mine 14 hours straight and it was so comfy that I could have slept through the entire trip!

[@blade9531]

Transmission in my 2022 BMW X5 is the best transmission I have ever add. I will also say the auto stop/start is seamless.

[@artemartem8425]

Who said that your bimmer is the best ???

[@blade9531]

Apparently reading comprehension is a challenge for you.

[@XX-166]

Until it goes off warranty

[@sanotyobe]

of course it's 20000 more money than cx90

[@artemartem8425]

@@blade9531 spending money for nothing 😂

[@farazkajani8456]

Would the Jeep Grand Cherokee L also be considered a competitor?

[@pyew9149]

Great honest reviews, love your channel. Andrea always looking good. Zack, I noticed you lost some weight. How you doing it?

[@Motormouth...]

Working on it!

[@alanhall7213]

So for the starting price of all the competitors that you listed (c $55K) you can get the 3rd level up (GT) CX 90. Sounds pretty competitive. How smooth is that In-line 6? I think it's the best looking of the larger SUVs. Thanks for the update review.

[@Fivemonthslater1]

Silky smooth inline 6!

[@fuzzyfacedog]

Lol embedded commercials

[@sagebrushnw485]

Don't like your DEBT ad in the video!!!

[@blade9531]

That’s where the money is.

[@ytj22]

Fast forward or drag the little cursor right thru it then. That was a tough one!

[@Payless4YourLexus]

They do NOT choose which ads are shown during their show. 😂 The ads are chosen FOR them; they have absolutely no control over their advertisers.

[@ytj22]

@@Payless4YourLexus in this case, it was their own ad, delivered by them, in their own video. But usually you'd be right.

[@jimcifelli1336]

Bummer about including the debt company ad. Otherwise awesome channel.

[@VirtousStoic]

I'm so done with Mazda being a company stuck in the past and this redesigned doesn't mean anything it's still a horrible brand Their cars are so cramped in the back in their sedans and compact crossover lines Their cars are overpriced And all they got to justify all this nonsense is a decent design and zoom zoom turbo

[@dad242]

What?? The CX-5, MX-5, Mazda 3 & 6 are fantastic vehicles. Super high rated and engaging to drive. CX 90 & 70 nope. Don't compare to a BMW, Audi, upper classes they are domestics. Way less $$. Unfortunately Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track all disagree with you. Wait for the 2026 CX-5 hybrid and compare it to the Rav 4, and CRV hybrids.

[@davidwpoon]

❤ Bench seats! Need them to support a dog hammock 🐕🦮

[@witsendcottage595]

Yes!