Monday, February 17, 2025

2025 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus AWD: Is The Flagship Crossover More Luxurious Than Cadillac, Infiniti And Lexus?


Highlight: A plug-in model is available.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $58,500 (Base Model): $39,300

Seating Capacity: 6-8 (depending on trim)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; AWD; hill decent control; hill launch accent; off-road traction assist; tailer stability control; rearview camera; rear cross traffic alert; lane keep assist system; a lane departure warning system; a blind spot monitor; and an automatic brake hold feature


Standard Equipment (Select AWD): 3.3-liter/ 19-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a three zone ventilation system; a leather wrapped gear selector; an illuminated entry system; a push button information system; a power driver’s seat with lumbar support; leather-like seating; and a 10-inch infotainment system

Standard Equipment Test Model (Premium Plus): 21-inch wheels; 340-horsepower engine; premium fuel; induction sound enhancer; a 5,000 lb towing capacity; three driving modes; front mesh grill; an automatic power folding side mirrors; an automatic side mirrors; an adaptive front lighting system; second row manual retractable side shades; rear door courtesy lamps; a garage door opener with homelink; an illuminated front door pocket; front and rear door pockets; a power panoramic sunroof; a power rear liftgate; auto dimming rearview frameless mirror; 150-volt outlet; a front foot lamp illumination; a heated steering wheel; a driver personalization system; steering wheel with memory setting; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; illuminated ambient cabinet lightning; like suede interior mid panel with stitch and panel; second row center storage with armrest; heated front seats; inner handle finish; power driver’s seat with two-position memory; a power passenger front seat; heated/ventilated second row seats; split 50/50 third row seats; second row manual captain seats with reclining seat backs; leather front and second row seats; quilted leather nappa trim; USB inputs; a 12 speaker BOSE system with satellite radio; a navigation system; a 12-inch color infotainment system; a wireless phone charger; a heads up display system; a blind spot assist system; an emergency lane keep assist system; a radar activated cruise control system; parking sensors (front and rear); a traffic sign recognition system; a 360-degree camera; a smart brake emergency system; and a cruising and traffic support system

Options: special exterior trim

Trims:

Preferred

Preferred Plus

Premium

Premium Plus

Preferred Plug-In

Turbo S

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an 8-speaker audio system with and AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM radio

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles

Standard Horsepower: 3.3-liter, 6-cylinder/280-horsepower

Mileage:

24-city/28-hwy (non S model)

23-city/28-hwy (S model)

Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs

What’s New: Mazda’s stylish flagship three-row model was redesign during the 2024 model year. This year's model is essentially a carryover model.


Why (Test Model):

A stylish exterior design moves the vehicle towards luxury vehicle range

A powerful 6-cylinder engine producing 340-horsepower is available

The vehicle is available with three powertrains

A stylish three row crossover

Easy access to third-row seat

A great riding vehicle

A power tilt/telescopic steering wheel

A panoramic sunroof

Bucket second row seats

A premium interior

Heated/ventilated front and second row seats

A stop-and-go radar activated cruise control system

A co-pilot steering system

21-inch tires/stylish wheels

But:

Pricing of the top end trim competes with the Lexus RX

Like the luxury imports, premium fuel required with the higher horsepower engine

Takes a moment to adjust to utilizing the gear shifter

Transmission intermittently doesn’t shift properly

Unable to lock rear exterior side doors using a keyless system

No massaging front seats

The model uses Mazda’s complicated BMW like i-contoller

No rear power control third row seats folding up or down

No none AWD model/models

Verdict: In the early nineties, Mazda had proposed a new luxury brand, the Amati to mirror Honda, Nissan and Toyota premium brands. Ironically, while Mazda never got their luxury brand off the ground, they continued to set their sights on the luxury lane based on the evolution of their interior and exterior designs. The only thing that seemed to be holding them back were their less than potent four-cylinder engines, which literally excluded them from being a premium vehicle.

The stylish and luxurious Mazda CX-90 joined the brand’s portfolio in 2024. The flagship CX-90 is a true indication the Japanese automaker still have their sights on joining Acura, Infiniti and Lexus.

The three-row crossover, with its stylish Land Roverish-like side profile, is powered by three powertrains. Up until recently, it’s been a moment since Mazda has had a six cylinder engine underneath the hood of one of its vehicles. If one can swing it, we recommend stepping up to the powerful 3.5-liter powertrain. For years, we’ve been complaining about Mazda’s vehicles feeling underpowered. Thankfully, the powertrain team has put that concern to rest.

Overall, the Mazda CX-90 with its second-row captain chairs, fixed center armrest/storage center, co-pilot assist steering system, pseudo suede instrument panel and panoramic power sunroof is making a case, as to why this flagship crossover should be considered over the pricier Lexus TX, Infiniti QX60 and Volvo XC90. Outside of the new car warranty, we would be hard pressed not to consider this premium crossover before many of the luxury makes offering similar features.

Competition: Cadillac XT6; Lexus TX; Buick Enclave; Infiniti QX60; Lincoln Aviator; and Volvo XC90


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