Hi All: I’m new to the sub and would like some feedback on the Mazda CX-90. We’re buying my wife a new SUV and it caught my eye, but I’ve never owned a Mazda before so I was hoping for some advice on what you like/don’t like, etc. Thank you!
Hi All: I’m new to the sub and would like some feedback on the Mazda CX-90. We’re buying my wife a new SUV and it caught my eye, but I’ve never owned a Mazda before so I was hoping for some advice on what you like/don’t like, etc. Thank you!
Handling is brilliant. Cayenne is the only thing in the market that comes close. The car is most fun in the Turbo S model with a throaty growl and plenty of power on tap. If sporty driving isn’t your thing then the Turbo model will suffice for most people. The car is quite long but doesn’t feel like it when driving or parking. The dogleg shifter puts some people off but isn’t a huge deal once you get used to it. The interiors are beautiful and comfortable. There are currently extraordinarily good deals on the plugin hybrids. Those can feel a bit underpowered with the four cylinder but if you have somewhere to plug them in at home and at work they are very efficient and save a ton of money on fuel. The common thread between them all is brilliant handling and fun to drive. Full disclosure I work at a Mazda dealership in Columbus, Ohio, but have also worked at competing brands. I’d be happy to answer any other questions you may have even if you live in another part of the country. Feel free to DM me. Good luck in your car search.
Any tips on finding said deals?
Thank you for this! The detail is very helpful!
According to Car and Driver: “The PHEV reaches 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, beating its 340-hp six-cylinder sibling by 0.4 seconds.”
So the hybrid is actually faster than the turbo, despite being 350 pounds heavier and getting way better average fuel economy. I see no case for the Turbo 6 myself when the PHEV has significant subsidies on the price.
Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a44872256/2024-mazda-cx-90-phev-test/
I went to the Mazda CX90 promotional drive test event at a local mall. They had both variants available to drive and set up a traffic cone test track in the parking lot to show off various capabilities. We were allowed and encouraged to drive hard.
My opinion is that I definitely felt the extra 350 lbs: in cornering and braking especially. You’re right that I didn’t feel a lag in the hard acceleration, but the quieter sound of the PHEV made it feel less exhilarating. The turbo version was fantastic to drive hard and the sound was beautiful. With that being said, I think I would still buy the PHEV because I’d use a CX90 as a daily and I’d want to save gas. If I wanted to have fun I’d just have a Miata for the weekend. I can’t stress how impressed I was of the interior design and materials. They’ve become so very premium. I dare say I’d pick a Mazda interior over a BMW or Porsche any day.
Bro lmao. A weekend driver Miata and a 60k daily? No offense. Loved the review, spot on, but the comparison of having a daily and a weekend car missed me by like 25 years. How could anyone imagine 2 cars for 1 person. That’s like 80-90s thinking.
Obviously money comes into play, but if you can afford it, why not? You have different shoes for lesser reasons, and Miata’s are relatively affordable compared to other vehicular toys.
Shoes cost 120$ haha but ok
The PHEV seems to use resistive heat for cabin heat. This makes your electric range tank in winter, and it isn’t hard for it to then make driving on the ICE cheaper (heat is free then).
I think the PHEV is an interesting offering, but I don’t think any variant is always better suited for people’s likes.
We have a Turbo 3.3 CX-90, and I really disliked the slow acceleration on EV only power (it felt north of 11-12 sec 0-60), and the 4 cylinder clutch in was pretty rough by modern PHEV standards. The turbo I6 isn’t super quick off the line as it’s a turbo ICE, but it feels much smoother than the I4 ever does and has more midrange torque to my butt dyno.
I also found the piped in 2nd harmonic digital I4 engine noise to be offensive and grating, but some people like it apparently. The I6 turbo sounds and lower digital engine noise volume felt much more pleasant in the I6. I still wish you could turn it off (stupid miss on Mazda’s part.)
We’ve really enjoyed ours so far, and get 24-26 mpg in mixed, mostly city driving.
The PHEV is better 0-60, but the Turbo has a better quarter mile time. It has more power for passing on the highway but yes from a dig the electric assistance will always win in a 0-60.
I’d take the turbo just for the fun factor, and the lower maintenance costs and better reliability.
I’m gonna say the jury is out on lower maintenance costs. Yes it’s an additional system for the hybrid. But no turbo.
Either way this car looks like a bit of a beast to work on, packaging wise.
I see the other points.
Agree; generally speaking, maintenance costs on EVs are lower than ICE vehicles.
Right. But most people are not drag racing something that is a foot longer than a Lincoln Town Car. And driving like that would drain the battery in only a few miles of driving. So the rational comparison if you want a car that actually has high horsepower and torque that is useable in real world circumstances is not a comparison of the 4 cylinder hybrid CX-90, but with similar turbocharged gas engine SUVs.
Top trim levels are only available in turbo S premium Plus.