The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Strong power in Turbo forms
- Comes with all-wheel drive
- Can seat eight people
- Good styling
Dislikes
- Annoying infotainment
- PHEV needs a bit more refinement
- Can get too expensive
- Somewhat cramped inside for how big it is
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 pairs muscular looks with efficient powertrains, though it can get quite expensive.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Mazda CX-90? What does it compare to?
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is a three-row crossover SUV capable of seating between six and eight passengers, depending on the trim. Compare it to the Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Kia Telluride.
Is the 2025 Mazda CX-90 a good SUV?
Straddling the line between mainstream and upscale, the 2025 CX-90 is pleasant to drive and reasonably fuel-efficient. It comes up a bit short on some practical aspects like infotainment functionality and third-row space, though. It’s a 6.8 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Mazda CX-90?
New last year, the CX-90 sees mostly minor updates this year. New Premium Sport trim levels feature blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. They slot in the middle of the 3.3 Turbo and PHEV lineups.
Mazda’s biggest crossover SUV has distinctive styling, with a blunt front end that gives way to a tall body. It’s big, bold, and distinctive, with a more cohesive overall look than most of its rivals. Delicate details like simple badges thin lines of brightwork add to the upscale ambiance.
It’s even better inside with a svelte design and pretty materials, especially in the admittedly costly top trim levels.
The CX-90’s 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-6 engines offer between 280 and 340 horsepower, depending on the setup. We’ve not driven the less powerful model, but the 340-hp one is pretty peppy, with good power in reserve and a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.
While the PHEV has plenty of appeal thanks to its 26-mile range on a full charge, you’ll definitely want to drive one first. The 189-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 and 173-hp electric motor conspire for decent acceleration, but the powertrain is decidedly light on refinement. It snarls and growls, whereas the turbo-6 is luxury-grade smooth. On EV mode, the powertrain only has 173 hp at the ready, which isn’t enough for highway driving for 5,200 pounds of SUV.
It may be heavy, but the CX-90 handles well. Its steering is beefy but communicative, and it settles in nicely on long, sweeping corners. Its heft results in a less-than-nimble feel in town, though it rides well enough over just about any surface.
Non-hybrid CX-90s are reasonably thrifty at around 25 mpg combined, while the PHEV can go about 26 miles on a full charge.
The CX-90 has a stylish interior with pretty materials even on the cheapest versions. Its seats could be better, though, and third-row space trails most competitors. The cargo area is fairly trim by class standards, too, leaving us to wonder just where Mazda lost all those cubic feet compared to like-size rivals.
Impressive NHTSA and IIHS crash test scores add to the CX-90’s appeal. All models come with a bevy of driver-assistance and safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control, while more features including a surround-view camera system and blind-spot monitors with steering support are included on higher-end trim levels.
How much does the 2025 Mazda CX-90 cost?
The CX-90 starts at $39,300 and can climb to about $60,000. Even base models are pretty well-outfitted with synthetic leather seats, a 10.3-inch screen, and plenty of crash-avoidance tech.
We’d step up to at least the Turbo Preferred trim for about $3,100 more, which has a bigger touchscreen, wireless (rather than wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a few other niceties. The available plug-in hybrid powertrain costs about $51,500 to start, making it a tough sell for anyone who doesn’t qualify for various local or state incentives.
Where is the 2025 Mazda CX-90 made?
In Japan.
2025 Mazda CX-90 Styling
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 wears distinctive styling over a stylish cabin.
Is the Mazda CX-90 a good-looking car?
It’s elegant and interesting, easily worthy of an 8 out of 10 on our scale. We really like the 2025 Mazda CX-90’s long nose and clean, interesting lines. It’s like a more buff Lincoln Aviator, and it works well.
The CX-90 channels many classic rear-drive proportions and distills them into a crossover that manages to look more upscale than its pricetag — quite a feat given it’s a fairly expensive SUV in most trims. It looks best with the available 21-inch wheels, though you should try before buying since they can ride a bit stiff.
The cabin features a big 12.3-inch display at the top of the dash on most models, though the base version has a smaller screen that can look somewhat lost up there. The center stack cascades down into a band of buttons and knobs for climate functions. High-end models are decked out in pretty wood trim, though Mazda is a bit stingy about interior color hues. We’d like to see more variety. Materials impress throughout, though.
2025 Mazda CX-90 Performance
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 offers a precise driving experience.
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is almost fun, and it’s pretty quick in most forms. Our 7 out of 10 here applies to the top 3.3 Turbo S version, which earns points for acceleration and overall composure. PHEVs would definitely lose a point for scoot as they’re a bit slower and less refined. We haven’t driven the base 3.3 Turbo yet.
Is the Mazda CX-90 4WD?
Yes, all-wheel drive is standard across the line. It’s capable of sending all power rearward, or 50% of it to the front wheels.
How fast is the Mazda CX-90?
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 should be pretty quick in any form. The 3.3 Turbo versions have an inline-6 that puts out 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, though the 48-volt mild-hybrid system ups the ante by 17 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque. We’ve not driven this setup, however.
We have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of the 3.3 Turbo S, which has 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, plus the same 48-volt mild-hybrid boost. It’s fairly quick and makes a nice snarl when underway.
The plug-in hybrid version has a totally different setup consisting of a 189-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 teamed with a 173-hp electric motor and a 17.8-kwh lithium-ion battery pack. It’s good for a total of 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV accelerates smartly but comes up short on refinement. It snarls and growls in an unbecoming manner, and it’s fairly slow on EV-only mode since it only makes use of the 173-hp motor. Fortunately, EV mode can be selected as needed, so you can save it for in-town situations where less power is needed.
The CX-90 has a comfortable, sporty driving experience thanks in part to its longitudinal powertrain layout — a setup typically reserved for rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It handles with relaxed, controlled confidence, with relatively slow steering that’s direct and predictable. It’s not quite as nimble and quick on its feet as some front-drive competitors, but it’s much more rewarding in corners or even at highway speeds than those rivals.
The CX-90 rides well, too, with good body control and a well-damped suspension, even though there aren’t any air springs. A brake-based torque-vectoring system that Mazda dubs Kinematic Posture Control applies the brakes lightly in hard cornering in an effort to limit body lean. It works quietly in the background.
2025 Mazda CX-90 Comfort & Quality
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 has a comfortable, classy cabin, even if it’s not a space leader by class standards.
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 can seat six, seven, or eight passengers, depending on the setup. It gets an 8 on the TCC scale thanks to its nice cabin, spacious seating area, and big cargo area.
The front seats aren’t great, if we’re honest. They have decent adjustment, but we struggled to get comfortable. Row two has pretty good space and wide door openings, though here, too, the seats themselves come up a bit short on comfort. Access to row three is a bit tight, and once back there adults won’t find much space. Teenagers should be fine, though.
Behind the third row, you’ll find nearly 16 cubic feet of space, which grows substantially to 40.1 cubic feet with the second row down and tops out around 75.2 cubic feet. Those figures are considerably lower than some top competitors, though they are still pretty good in the grand scheme of passenger hauling. Still, it’s a wonder just where Mazda managed to lose so much of the CX-90’s cargo volume given how large of an SUV it is.
Top-end models have gorgeous trim with soft leather on the seats, synthetic leather on the dash and doors, and pretty wood trim. Lower-end models are still pretty nice, though, with plenty of soft-touch plastics and low-sheen surfaces throughout.
2025 Mazda CX-90 Safety
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 has a stellar safety record.
How safe is the Mazda CX-90?
It has done very well in crash tests and it comes standard with impressive tech designed to avoid an incident in the first place. We score the 2025 CX-90 at 8 out of 10 thanks to its Top Safety Pick+ and five-star NHTSA ratings for 2024, the most recent year available, and for its standard automatic emergency braking and various other driver-assistance features.
Curiously, the CX-90 PHEV earned a five-star frontal crash test resting compared to the four-star rating for other versions. But the CX-90 lineup earned five stars overall.
Standard fare includes active lane control, blind-spot monitors, and automatic emergency braking with stop-and go, while blind-spot monitors with steering support, front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system with a trick see-through view are available as you work your way up the lineup.
2025 Mazda CX-90 Features
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is well-equipped, but this lineup can be a bit tricky to sort through.
As is typical with Mazdas, the CX-90 has a somewhat convoluted lineup. First, you’ll need to decide whether you want the base 280-hp engine called 3.3 Turbo, the 340-hp engine called 3.3 Turbo S, or the PHEV. Even then, the CX-90’s trim levels may have similar names but their features don’t quite match up.
Overall, the lineup nets a 7 here thanks to its wide range and good standard fare. Its big touchscreen is canceled out by a lousy interface.
The CX-90 is covered by an industry-typical 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Including a mandatory destination charge, the base 3.3 Turbo Select runs $39,300. It’s outfitted decently with synthetic leather upholstery, a 10.3-inch non-touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, three-zone automatic climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a wide range of collision-avoidance tech including blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control. It comes only with a second-row bench seat for a total seating capacity of eight.
No CX-90 has a great infotainment system, though the base setup isn’t a touchscreen, so all inputs must be via either a convoluted voice-recognition system or through a center console knob.
Which Mazda CX-90 should I buy?
We’d step up to the 3.3 Turbo Preferred, which has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone projection, leather seats that are heated up front, a sunroof, and the option to add second-row captain’s chairs. It runs $3,100 more than the base model.
The Preferred trim is also the starting off point for the PHEV, which costs $9,000 more but may qualify for various state or local incentives to defray much of that premium.
The next-up Premium Sport trim has a bigger sunroof, a hands-free tailgate, a head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, navigation, a garage door opener, and an upgraded driver-assistance suite that can nudge a wandering vehicle back into its lane. It’s also capable of towing 5,000 pounds, rather than the standard model’s 3,500 pounds. At about $5,700 above the Preferred, it may be worth the extra cost for you, and it’s also available as a PHEV.
How much is a fully loaded Mazda CX-90?
The 3.3 Turbo S models check in at around $54,500 to start. In Premium trim, this model is outfitted most of what’s been described earlier plus softer nappa leather, cooled front seats, a heated middle-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a surround-view camera system, plus big 21-inch alloy wheels.
The top Premium Plus seats six passengers (yes, really) and has cooled second-row seats. It’ll set you back about $58,000, while a plug-in hybrid version comes in closer to $60,000.
2025 Mazda CX-90 Fuel Economy
The CX-90 has good fuel economy, with some caveats.
Is the Mazda CX-90 good on gas?
It’s pretty good across the board. Our 3 out of 10 here applies to the 3.3 Turbo, which is estimated as high as 24 mpg city, 28 highway, 25 combined, while the 3.3 Turbo S is about the same at 23/28/25 mpg. The standard 3.3 Turbo runs on regular fuel, while the 3.3 Turbo S uses premium.
The PHEV features a different powertrain setup with 26 miles of estimated range on a charge and an EPA-estimated 56 MPGe. This model also needs premium.
