SpeedSUVs.com explores the Mazda CX-90, a vehicle that successfully bridges the gap between mainstream and luxury three-row SUVs. With its athletic handling, elegant styling, and upscale interior, the CX-90 feels significantly more premium than many of its segment rivals. However, with six distinct trim levels available, choosing the right model can be a challenge.
Overview of the Mazda CX-90 Lineup
The Mazda CX-90 lineup offers a wide pricing spectrum to accommodate different budgets, starting with the base Select trim up to the top-tier S Premium Plus:
- Select ($40,830): Comes standard with leatherette-trimmed seats.
- Preferred ($44,980): Upgrades to genuine leather, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
- Premium Sport ($49,010): Adds black wheels, a 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, built-in navigation, and a drive mode selector.
- Premium Plus ($51,800): Adds premium features like nappa-leather-trimmed seats, a 360-degree camera, and a windshield de-icer.
- S Premium Sport ($55,760): Features a more powerful 340-horsepower engine and a personalized interior camera system.
- S Premium Plus ($59,100): The ultimate luxury option, adding ventilated second-row seats and a rear console.
The Best Value: Premium Sport Trim
For buyers looking for the most value, the Premium Sport trim at $49,010 is highly recommended. It strikes a perfect balance by adding highly desirable features such as a 12-speaker Bose audio system, built-in navigation, traffic sign recognition, and Sirius satellite radio. It also upgrades the towing capacity to 5,000 pounds, whereas lower trims are limited to 3,500 pounds.
Available options for this trim include the $900 Premier Tow package (hitch, harness, ball mount, and brake controller) or the $700 Essential Tow package. Buyers can also opt for second-row captain’s chairs at no extra cost, which changes the seating configuration from eight to seven passengers.
Performance Upgrades in Higher S Trims
The standard 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six engine delivers 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, which provides adequate power for most drivers. However, those who step up to the S Premium Sport or S Premium Plus trims get a higher-output version of the engine producing 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. In testing, this higher-output engine propelled the vehicle to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
Pros and Cons Based on the Source
Pros
- Premium, near-luxury interior feel across all trims.
- Athletic handling and an enthusiastic driving experience.
- Standard leatherette even on the base Select trim.
- Strong 5,000-pound towing capacity starting from the Premium Sport trim.
Cons
- Lower trims (Select and Preferred) are restricted to a 3,500-pound towing limit.
- The most powerful 340-hp engine is exclusive to the expensive S trims, starting above $55,000.
Conclusion
The Mazda CX-90 delivers a premium SUV experience without the steep luxury price tag. For the majority of buyers, the Premium Sport trim at $49,010 represents the sweet spot in the lineup, offering a robust suite of tech, safety, and utility features without crossing into the higher price brackets of the S trims.
