Mazda hasn’t been releasing anything new for the US market since the CX-50 was unveiled earlier this year. But you can think of it as the calm before the storm. The brand will be bringing several new SUVs, the biggest of which will be the new Mazda CX-90. What is the CX-90? We’re definitely glad you asked. It’s expected to be Mazda’s new flagship SUV, and we’re going to tell you everything we know about it.
2024 Mazda CX-90: New size class, new luxury
You can expect a new, more advanced design language on the CX-90. One that blends the looks of the not-destined stateside CX-60 (pictured above) with the proportions of Mazda’s current flagship SUV, the CX-9 (pictured below). The interior will feature more premium-looking and feeling materials, and will no doubt also feature new technology introduced with the CX-90 to compete with feature-packed offerings from Kia and Hyundai. We just hope Mazda doesn’t lose the zoom-zoom that makes many of its cars such a hoot to drive.
The next time it finally hits our shores, the CX-90 will take on the likes of the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot and the Subaru Ascent. However, more premium competitors like the Infiniti QX60 and Acura MDX will also be in the CX-90’s crosshairs. Mazda is charting a course for the more premium end of the market, and the CX-90 is its shot at the big leagues. In terms of size, it will be a three-row crossover SUV with a third row which we expect will be more useful than the CX-9. It will also have more space than the CX-9 and is expected to have more cargo capacity. We’re not sure yet if the CX-9 will replace or be sold alongside the CX-90.
2024 Mazda CX-90: What’s under the hood?
The CX-90 will debut a set of new powertrains for Mazda. Gone are the days of turbocharged four-cylinder engines and six-speed transmissions. Mazda will introduce a new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that makes somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 horsepower. We expect the plug-in hybrid version of the CX-90 to also feature the same engine and deliver even more peak power. If a turbocharged inline-six sounds a little BMW to you, you’d be absolutely right. Mazda is really swinging for the fences here.
2024 Mazda CX-90: How much will it cost?
Given the CX-90’s more premium position in the market, we expect the SUV to start around $40,000 for the base model. We expect Trims to gradually make its way into the higher $50,000 region. The CX-90 will be expensive, but if Mazda can combine the new luxuries, a more powerful powertrain, and the fun-to-drive spirit we’ve enjoyed from most of its cars, it will be a tough package.
