2025 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus Review: Is The World Ready For A $60,000+ Mazda?

When Mazda debuted its CX-9 flagship crossover SUV back in 2006, it immediately struck a goldmine. Expanding off the success of its top-selling CX-5 compact CUV, which remains the company’s best-seller more than two decades later, the CX-9 became its second bestseller, before launching its more affordable subcompact CX-30.

After two generations and nearly 15 years, the small Hiroshima-based automaker decided to crank things up a few notches with its successor, the CX-90. The original CX-9 laid the groundwork and set another benchmark for value and bang for your buck in the then-booming midsize three-row crossover SUV segment. The second-generation model continued building upon the first-gen’s model formula by elevating the experience to more upscale levels. And for its successor, Mazda upped the premium luxury vibes even more with the introduction of the CX-90.

Upon launch, the CX-90 was met with praise for being able to fill the old CX-9’s shoes, and then some. But it came at a cost: a fully-loaded CX-90 now treads deep into luxury territory with our top-of-the-line tester stamping its invoice at over $60,000. That’s over ten grand more than the previous top-spec $48,960 CX-9 Signature. Is the CX-90 worth all that more and is the world ready for a Mazda that goes head-to-head with some of the impervious luxury marques?

2025 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus First Impressions

As one can immediately tell from the CX-90’s appearance, it doesn’t stray all that far from the CX-9’s original formula. But it is evidently different. More upright, with a less pointy nose, and squarish, the CX-90 certainly takes on a more rugged SUV-like motif. The previous CX-9 came across as more of a tall wagon with a slick, low-slung roof.

The CX-9 also championed Mazda’s signature KODO design language, which has defined the brand’s corporate-wide theme over the last decade. It shaped everything from the Mazda3 compact and Mazda6 midsize sedans, to its CX-5, and even the Miata. Today, the Mazda’s “Soul of Motion” design continues, but evolved.

The CX-90 exemplifies its subtle evolution, with its bespoke grille, thin-profile headlights, and overall clean and fuss-free panels, all of which exude a very sophisticated and mature presence. In essence, Mazdas have always looked far more expensive and upscale than their affordable prices suggested, and the CX-90 carries this torch in spades.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Being Mazda and a purveyor of its famed “zoom-zoom” mantra, the CX-90 certainly makes its prioritization of the driver and on-road dynamics apparent. Around town and in normal conditions, the CX-90 feels about as civil and unremarkable as any other three-row crossover in its class and price point. But quicken the pace, and the CX-90 seems to shrink in size the faster it goes, thanks to its accurate and fluid steering, buttoned-down responses, and sophisticated body control.

The latter happens thanks to Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control, which emulates the effects of a limited-slip differential. It combines unique suspension geometry and active brake-based torque vectoring, where the brakes lightly apply force on the inside wheels to slow down their rotation speed. Simultaneously, the physical motions of the brake vectoring then act upon Mazda’s suspension geometry, resulting in a more balanced and direct feeling while cornering at speed.

In short, it all just cleverly makes the CX-90 feel a lot more willing to rotate around a bend without the addition of more expensive and complex suspension or drivetrain technology. But relatively speaking to the old CX-9, the 90 feels more substantial, heavier, and not as deft or agile when hustled.

Braking And Acceleration

What’s more lovable about the CX-90, however, is its latest turbocharged inline-six. It’s the first of its kind for Mazda as it previously relied on V-6s. It is a lovely internal combustion engine with bountiful amounts of torque and thrust, especially with the extra boost provided by the mild-hybrid assist’s electric motor.

But it isn’t quite as refined and silky smooth as, say, a BMW or Mercedes-Benz inline-six. It was unexpectedly coarse in its mid-range, sending vibrations through the steering rack and the front-end of the chassis on occasion. On the other hand, the brakes felt more than up to the task of bringing the nearly 2.5-ton CX-90 to a halt and with some spirited driving. The pedal also rewards with a nice, firm, and linear feel, with the transition between regenerative and physical braking being nearly imperceptible.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 6.5 Seconds (Est.)
• Top Speed MPH: 130 MPH (Est.)

Performance Specifications

2025 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the 2025 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S with its higher-output engine as capable of up to 23 miles per gallon city, 28 miles per gallon highway, and a combined average of 25. During my week-long test with the CX-90 in a mixture of suburban and highway scenarios in Northern New Jersey, the trip computer claimed I averaged around 25.5 miles per gallon.

For a larger, midsize three-row crossover SUV weighing close to two-and-a-half tons and with 340 horses from a turbocharged six-cylinder under the hood, that’s pretty impressive. But it’s also attributed, unsurprisingly, to the CX-90’s clever mild-hybrid assist and automatic engine stop-start system. For those who want to save even more fuel, there is an optional gas-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Interior Design And Comfort

Much like the exterior, the premium luxury motif certainly carries over to the CX-90’s interior, especially with our top-of-the-line Premium Plus trim. The latter adds quilted Nappa-leather-wrapped seats and all the bells and whistles one would expect from a loaded $50,000+ crossover SUV.

From heated and cooled front seats, to dual-zone climate control, nearly power everything, the CX-90 has it all. But I was a bit perplexed to find the CX-90 had manual-folding third row seating, when some of its more value-driven alternatives from Korea offer one-touch power folding.

The CX-90 also continues to excel in the overall interior design department. Despite the plethora of creature comforts, all the essentials, such as infotainment and HVAC controls, retain a leg up in ergonomics with physical and tactile interfaces. But there isn’t an overwhelming sea of buttons, everything is easily manageable and navigable from the driver’s seat.

If there is one major criticism about the CX-90 in the comfort department, its ride quality is a bit on the stiff-legged side. Other competitors, such as the more affordable options from Korea, offer a better ride and handling balance with more supple suspension, without any real glaring drawbacks in manueverability.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Helping to keep the ergonomics simple and manageable is the latest Mazda Connect infotainment system. The CX-90 retains the BMW iDrive-like central rotary control knob and is essentially identical to the other versions of Mazda Connect found throughout the lineup. Similar to the upper trims of all its other models, the CX-90 offers a nice, high-definition and colorfully rich 12.3-inch ultra-wide infotainment touchscreen.

But interestingly, the touchscreen only works with the smartphone mirroring apps. All the usual features are present, from HD radio, to SirusXM, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and sat-nav. In some instances, however, I found the acceleration for resuming the radar-guided cruise control to be a bit on the aggressive side with the throttle.

Cargo And Storage Space

With a total cargo capacity of 40 cubes with the third-row folded down, the CX-90 offers plenty of space for up to five occupants’ worth of stuff for a road-trip vacation. With the third row up, however, the space shrinks considerably to 15.9 cubic feet. Class-leading competitors include the Chevy Traverse with its nearly 23 cubes, and the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, both of which offer closer to 18 cubes.

But thanks to the CX-90’s interestingly wide proportions, the door cards lots of room for other trinkets and treasures, along with a cavernous center console.

2025 Mazda CX-90 Vs. Its Competitors

As a larger midsize three-row crossover SUV with a starting price just under $40,000, the Mazda CX-90 plays in one of the busiest and most competitive spaces in the entire automotive landscape. Competitors include the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, Jeep Grand Cherokee/Grand Cherokee L, and Ford Explorer.

But because a loaded CX-90 can go past the $60,000 mark, especially after taxes and fees, and with its premium aspirations, it starts to rub shoulders against some of the big dogs like the Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60, Toyota Grand Highlander, Lexus TX, Audi Q7, Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave. When it starts to encroach on the luxury territory, there’s greater allowance for nit-picking and scrutiny into the details.

How The Mazda CX-90 Compares To The Jeep Grand Cherokee

Because the CX-90 is one of the youngest of the bunch in terms of being new, it joins the current and small selection of larger three-row crossover SUVs with premium aspirations that came out with a complete redesign in the last few years. Segment champions like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride remain as compelling as the day they swiped everyone off their feet. But they’re starting to show their age and both are due for a next-gen replacement sometime this year in 2025.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee started ushering the next-generation of three-row crossover SUVs in 2022, followed by the GM cousins, and the Infiniti QX60 and Nissan Pathfinder. Because the CX-90 is larger than the latter two, and feels more premium than the GM cousins, the upper trims of the Grand Cherokee seem to compete more directly with the CX-90, particularly with its price spread. The Grand Cherokee starts at $37,035 and can go as high as $60,000 for a top-spec long-wheelbase Summit.

Performance

Both the CX-90 and Grand Cherokee offer six-cylinder power, but go about them in different ways. The CX-90 features Mazda’s latest and greatest Skyactive 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six with clever 48-volt mild-hybrid assist, with an optional plug-in hybrid variant. The Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, still makes do with the old 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, with an optional 2.0-liter turbo-four-based plug-in hybrid powertain. The CX-90’s inline-six might be more enthusiast- and driver-focused and more powerful, but the Grand Cherokee isn’t a slouch either and its V-6 is more tried, tested, and true. The Jeep is slower, but the PHEV variant will leave the CX-90 in the dust, taking only 5.3 seconds to hit 60.

Comfort

Both the CX-90 and Grand Cherokee excel in the comfort departments with near-luxury subdued levels of noise, vibration, and harshness. Both have generally smooth rides, great seats for long drives, and all the usual creature comforts, depending on the trim. The argument over which features a smoother ride in the suspension department might be up for debate. The CX-90 has a noticeably stiffer ride compared to some of its more comfort-oriented rivals with more supple suspension, while the Grand Cherokee also features a more rugged ride from being more capable on the utilitarian and off-roading front.

Technology

Neither the CX-90 nor the Grand Cherokee fall short on the tech front. Both crossover SUVs sport the same creature comforts and amenities, while going about them in their own individual ways. Some might find the CX-90’s infotainment system a bit long in the tooth since it hasn’t taken on any major updates when compared to past versions of the systems. But that’s really not to any detriment as the system works well and as intended, so there’s no reason for Mazda to fix what isn’t broken. The Jeep’s Uconnect 8 is much newer and just as easy to use, but solely relies on a large touchscreen without any central physical control device, like Mazda’s BMW iDrive-like rotary dial. The Jeep also features more tech in the drivetrain department, or Selec-Trac and optional adjustable air suspension, which enables the Grand Cherokee’s more capable off-road chops.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

If you were a fan of the Mazda CX-9, then you’ll find exactly what you were likely hoping for in its successor. The CX-90 builds upon the CX-9s already excellent bones to make for an even more compelling large, midsize three-row crossover SUV in Mazda flavor. Its excellent value proposition also remains, with base models starting at around the same price as the old CX-9.

But the margin for value begins to significantly diminish as you climb up the trim ladder to the upper tiers. That’s especially the case when you start to crack the $50,000 mark with either the loaded Premium trims of the CX-90 with the standard output 3.3-liter, or start hopping into the plug-in hybrid version. You’re well past the price point of the previous top-dollar CX-9.

And thus, that begs the question. Is the world really ready for a luxurious, $50,000+ Mazda? The Japanese automaker has proven how far one can stretch the value proposition by designing and engineering its automobiles to look, feel, and drive like a much more expensive vehicle while keeping them affordable.

Mazda’s been slowly seeing how far they can push that bar, but once the cost of the vehicle starts to tread into premium and luxury territory, the game changes entirely as you start to pick fights with the big dogs. That said, the CX-90’s most valuable trim that we’d probably spring for is the standard Turbo motor in Premium Sport or Premium Plus form.