Mazda in its quest to take its lineup towards a more luxurious market has unveiled its biggest luxury, most luxurious, and most powerful model to date the 2024 Mazda CX-90. The three-row crossover is huge and includes Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid as well as in a mild hybrid version that has been developed, an inside six-cylinder motor.
The automaker has kept all of the details in the back of its hand in anticipation of the “early spring” introduction to disclose pricing and headroom, legroom towing capacity, and fuel efficiency, as well as the all-electric ranges for the PHEV. In a recent talk-and-tell discussion, Mazda executives did say that the CX-90 will replace the outdated CX-9 which is the currently three-row crossover. The 90 is expected to be larger and wider, and from every angle, it will be taller than the CX-9 which has a bigger third-row, and possibly larger cargo capacity. It will also have Mazda’s most stylish interior.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Electrified Crossover Review
Mazda will defy the trend in the industry of releasing electric models weeks after the initial (gasoline-powered) models of the new model debut and restricting the more complicated and expensive EVs and plug-in hybrids to the states in the beginning. The CX-90’s light hybrid as well as PHEV versions will launch within two weeks. both will be offered in all 50 states. Jeff Guyton, president and chief executive officer of Mazda North American Operations, said to Forbes Wheels.
Powertrain
The CX-90 is available in two versions with all-wheel drive One of which is powered by Mazda’s newly created 3.3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder inline engine, called the e-Skyactiv-G. A mild hybrid model utilizes the inline six that is tuned to produce the equivalent of 340 horsepower. It also has an automatic transmission that has eight speeds which has an electric motor interspersed between.
The electric motor permits gasoline engines to be shut out when the CX-90 is stopped for emissions-free idling. It can also offer all-electric power for short intervals at extremely low speeds. The system is said to have an impressive 369 pounds of torque, which gives the moderate hybrid CX-90 the greatest capability of towing for any Mazda.
The plug-in hybrid model will utilize Mazda’s long-lasting 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It will be paired with a front-axle-mounted electric drive motor as well as 17.8 kWh lithium-ion batteries. The engine is tuned to produce 323 HP and 369 pounds of torque. The PHEV uses the same eight-speed automation similar to the light hybrid.
Specifics about the charging speed and the all-electric system’s performance haven’t yet been made public. However, the smaller and lighter CX-60 that is sold within Europe and Australia has the same PHEV powertrain used in the CX-90 and has been rated to provide more than 50 miles of all-electric range and has a fuel efficiency of around 85 mpg.
CX-90 programmer Mitsuru Wakiie said that the mild hybrid version has been designed to be more geared towards performance than the PHEV version, but the idea of driving performance in a vehicle that can exceed 200 inches in length and weigh over 2 tons is hard to grasp. Premium gasoline is recommended for both powertrains to get maximum performance. However, they can be operated with regular-grade gasoline too.
Driving
AWD is a mechanical system that’s available in all trim levels of both versions is a rear-biased variation that Mazda’s electronically controlled iActiv AWD system, which is designed to deliver the maximum power into the rear wheels for the course of everyday driving. It’s capable, however of shifting the torque from front to rear and side to side when required for maximum grip. It’s not an off-road AWD system, however.
It’s specifically designed to improve control and ride especially on wet, slippery roads. The CX-90 is also equipped with Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control as standard equipment. The brake modulation system controlled by software eliminates body lift at corners to ensure smoother riding. It first appeared on the lighter and smaller 2022 Miata sports car.
Exterior
“Sleek” is not a term usually associated with large vehicles, but the CX-90 is quite pleasant to view, and with its long hood and steeply raked windshield–especially riding on optional 21-inch alloys–even manages to look a bit sporty. The front part, featuring the distinct trapezoidal Mazda grille, is complemented by LED headlamps that are housed in cat-eye lenses. Lights made of LEDs are carefully integrated into the grille, and then chromed for the top trim, giving an extremely modern appearance.
Interior
The third row’s seating area was ruled out by the possibility of a steep, sloped roofline. However, designers were able to make the rear window have an incline forward that balances things out and prevents the passengers and cargo from appearing as an unfinished box. A slight flare to the rear wheel arches aids in keeping the CX-90 from appearing like a huge box but overall, the design is hampered because it is, in the first place a vehicle for hauling people.
The interior of the CX-90 is quite luxurious with a huge center console that is made of top-quality materials. The top trim utilizes Chrome and birch wood pieces, and the stitching on the Kumihimo woven fabric dash cover for example, is a unique design that has been that is a reinterpretation of traditional Japanese hand-bound bookbinding.
New Tech/Old Tech
Mazda did not fall into the “because we can” trap of cramming all the features of a vehicle inside the infotainment unit. The centrally mounted 12.3-inch horizontal display is the control central to a variety of functions however, there are numerous real knobs and buttons to control various things, including lighting as well as audio and climate controls. It also features a large driver information screen that can be customized with displays.
There’s something Mazda calls”See Through View” or a “See Through View” monitor to assist drivers with a variety of parking spots could be an option along with the CX-90 will come with a variety of the most advanced safety and driver assistance features from Mazda’s iActivsense system. The features include blind spot monitoring and adaptive front lighting. cruise control based on radar.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Electrified Crossover Price & Release Date
Mazda isn’t releasing pricing information for the 2024 Mazda CX-90 until a bit further away from the launch date, likely in April or early May. If the difference in cost between the CX-5 and the CX-50 is anything to go by it is expected that the mild hybrid CX-90 to cost at least 7 percent more than the CX-9. This puts it somewhere in the $43,000-$53,500 price range, in contrast to the 2023 CX-9 starting at $40,025 and reaching its maximum after the options and add-ons at $49,735.
Its plug-in hybrid CX90 is expected to be more expensive, as prices have fallen considerably, but batteries are still expensive. Except for the more basic Kia Sorento and Mitsubishi Outlander three-row PHEVs. is a PHEV that’s likely to be in the $60,000-$70,000 price range. Most top trims fall between the $70,000 and $80,000 range, however it is the Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring is more expensive than the $90k mark. Given the numbers and asked about how it would be competitive CX-90 plug-in could be the project manager Wakiie did not even smile.