LOOKS

The stunning exterior design on the 2025 Mazda CX-90 stands out as one of the best in class. From its 21-inch alloy wheels to the classy grille and lighting design, to its sleek sidelines, the CX-90 can stand alongside any rival three-row SUV confidently.

I loved the beautiful Artisan Red Premium dark red paint job on my test vehicle, which was an eye-catcher even from a distance.

Exterior highlights on the CX-90 included all-season tires, a hands-free power rear liftgate, heated power auto folding side mirrors with memory, body-colored rear roof spoiler, panoramic moonroof, LED headlights, high beam control, roof rails, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a windshield wiper de-icer.

Moving inside, Mazda has long overperformed in terms of delivering an upscale experience in its vehicles, and the CX-90 lives up to this reputation with flying colors.

The 2025 CX-90, especially on the top trim levels, delivers some of the best-looking interior designs and most comfortable leather seating I have experienced in a nonluxury ride. Mazda is blurring the lines between luxury and nonluxury, and could realistically be cross shopped vs. luxury SUVs including Infiniti, Acura, Lincoln and Genesis. It’s more high-end than anything the Palisade or Telluride or Explorer will offer.

There were also unique touches such as fabric highlights across much of the dashboard that added character.

The CX-90 comfortably seats 8 passengers with a bench seat in the middle, and setups for 6 or 7 passengers are offered if Captain’s Chairs are selected for the middle row.

My test vehicle featured white premium Nappa leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, driver seat memory with two positions, heated leather steering wheel; three-zone automatic climate control, air vents in third row, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and second-row window sunshades.

The only downside to the CX-90’s interior is the limited cargo capacity compared to rivals, as well as a tighter third row than some competitors.

The CX-90’s third row is best reserved for kids, but the first two rows are plenty spacious. And cargo volume measures at 16 cubic feet with all rows up, 40 cubic feet with third row down, and 75 cubic feet with middle and third rows down — numbers beaten by others in the segment.


HOW’S THE RIDE?

There are two main engines offered on the 2025 Mazda CX-90, and the vehicle I tested had the more powerful option of the two.

It featured a 3.3-liter, 6-cylinder turbo engine that delivered 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (which is standard on all CX-90 trims).

Paddle shifters are included to boost driver participation in the gear changes if so desired.

The base engine is a separate 3.3-liter, six-cylinder option that delivers 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet — slight dips from the more powerful option but still solid numbers. But if you can pay a bit extra and get into the 340 hp option, I would recommend doing so. Both engines feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to boost performance. Towing capacity on the CX-90 caps out at 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

A few trips behind the wheel of the CX-90 will have you recognizing that this is without question one of the most driver-focused and fun-to-drive three-row SUVs available today — offering its drivers a ride that’s responsive and quite nimble for such a large vehicle.

There are solid 0-to-60 numbers in the low 6-second range, and this is not some boring family hauler. It keeps the driver engaged and has some oomph to it due to the impressive power numbers. Taking the family out for a Sunday driver will be an experience you look forward to having.

Drive modes on the CX-90 include Sport, Off-road and Towing.


TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Diving right into the tech setup, voice commands on the CX-90’s infotainment system worked well for controlling audio and navigation. Its physical controls are executed through Mazda’s control dial in the center console, and a volume knob can be found in the center console. While I’m not in love with this setup, it’s one I was able to adapt to quickly.

There is no touchscreen control offered in the CX-90, unless you are using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. But there are some easy-to-use physical buttons below the main screen for climate controls.

The main screen is a large and clear 12.3-inch color center display. Other tech features in the CX-90 include a sharp-sounding 12-speaker Bose sound system, three-month trial of satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless phone charger, Bluetooth connectivity, and a healthy and convenient six USB inputs throughout the vehicle.

Moving on to safety, the CX-90 packs excellent credentials, including a bright and clear rearview camera setup offering a 360-degree view around the vehicle. It also earns five-star government safety ratings.

Standard features include: Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.

The vehicle also monitors driver for signs of drowsiness, and features traffic sign recognition — both cutting-edge features not found on all vehicles.

MPG

Fuel economy is always a concern for car buyers looking to maximize their dollar at the pump. Official fuel mileage numbers on the 2025 CX-90 are 23 city/28 highway/25 combined with the 340-horsepower engine. The base engine offers an improvement to 24 mpg in the city, but highway mileage doesn’t change.

I averaged around 22 mpg during my time in the CX-90, a bit below the listed numbers.

Overall the numbers are quite competitive in this SUV segment, a great feat considering that the CX-90 delivers a stronger driving performance than many of its rivals.

And a plug-in hybrid option allows an ever further eco-friendly opportunity for CX-90 buyers.
 

PRICE

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 that I tested was priced just over $58K, and was at the top of the trim level offerings. Base price starts around $39K, so there’s a wide price range offered depending where you land.

Trim levels include: Select, Preferred, Premium Sport, Premium Plus, S Premium and S Premium Plus.

A plug-in hybrid version is also offered, with prices ranging from $51K to $59K.

The pricing on the CX-90 starts slightly higher than some key three-row SUV rivals such as the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, but between its refined interior and powerful engine, you’ll know every day where that money went. And since the quality rivals some luxury-brand SUVs, it can almost be looked at as affordable when compared to those options.

Warranties on the CX-90 are decent but not spectacular. They include:
— 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain warranty
— 3 years/36,000 miles overall new vehicle warranty

No free maintenance is offered, but you do get 24-hour roadside assistance.


BOTTOM LINE

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 delivers classy looks, an upscale interior, plenty of power and is a top choice among three-row SUVs — delivering a driving experience that’s arguably best in class.

Building on a strong debut of this redesign in 2024, the 2025 CX-90 punches above its weight class and can be cross-shopped with not only the standard non-luxury competitors, but also some luxury SUVs.

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