Mazda gets it exceptionally right with 2024 CX-90
Vehicle is a beauty but falls just short of being luxury
You know when a house on the block gets a new car, neighbors either attempt to keep up with the Joneses and buy a new car as well, or they think “Wow, that is really really nice. Why didn’t I think of that?”
Well, the all-new 2024 Mazda CX-90 is just that, and what a beauty it is. Let’s start with the exterior. The styling is superb; with its extended front nose and widened shark line grille, the CX-90 shows off luxury in style while the Mazda color options are what keeps consumers interested in what Mazda has to offer. Our black cherry-looking Artisan Red Metallic was unfathomable; what a color.
On the interior, hang on to your hardhat. Did Mazda get luxurious on us? Well, in the 2024 CX-90, they sure did. As Car & Driver mentions in their most recent analysis of third-row SUVS, the Mazda CX-90 topped the chart in driver comfort, second-row comfort, interior styling, and an array of powertrain and chassis accolades. That is very impressive and proves that Mazda is not only on their way to the luxury market, but beating the Grand Cherokee, Pilot, Telluride and Grand Highlander in their analysis. Our interior was Tan Napa Leather, which was a lighter brown than I would have expected, but it was still comfortable and inviting.
Powering the Mazda CX-90 is the newly released Inline 6-cylinder 3.3L Turbo SKYACTIV engine, producing 340
horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The new engine got up to speed nicely with minimal lag and was quiet for the interior passengers. With a base CX-90 starting at under $40K, it truly is a great family SUV option.
In my auto reviews, I try to say what others won’t say, but for this review, I will say that the Mazda was a great vehicle to drive and enjoy, while the curvatures, body styling and interior were exceptional. Would I say that it is a luxury vehicle in the luxury market? That suggests BMW, Mercedes and others, so no. But I think for the price, it compares with Jeep, Volvo, Acura and the like, so let’s call it midpriced luxury. I also want to thank everyone who has reached out directly to me to ask for input on their prospective car purchases. I hope that you have found success in today’s crazy car market and that you are enjoying those new vehicles for miles to come.