| Quick Highlights | Elegant Profile Premium Cabin Rear-Biased AWD System Limited Third-Row Space |
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is out to compete as a three-row luxury SUV with the price tag of a mainstream SUV. To give credit where it’s due, the midsize crossover impresses with a nice interior and thoughtful engineering that brings it close to established high-end rivals.
Still, for a car with premium aspirations, the CX-90 falls short in a few key areas. The added third row comes at the expense of passenger space, and despite the inline-6 engine, the driving experience isn’t exactly exciting. Read on to learn more about Mazda’s flagship three-row SUV.
2026 Mazda CX-90 Key Specifications
| Performance | |
| Drivetrain | AWD Gas, AWD Hybrid |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Combined Output | Gas: 280hp/340hp, 369 lb-ft of torque Hybrid: 323 hp, 369 lb-ft of torque |
| 0 – 60 mph time | 6.5 secs |
| Efficiency | |
| Estimated Range | Up to 500 miles |
| Estimated MPGe Range (Combined) | 23/28/25 (city/hwy/combined) |
| Interior | |
| Infotainment Digital Gauge Cluster | 10.25 inches (Lower Turbo Trims) 12.35 inches (High-End Trims:; Apple CarPlayplay, Android Auto 12.3 inches |
| Legroom (Front/ Middle/ Rear) | 41.7 in/ 39.4 in/ 30.4 in |
| Head Room (Front/ Middle/ Rear) | 39.7 in/ 39.3 in/ 36.9 in |
| Cargo Volume (behind front/second) | 74.2 cu ft / 40.1 cu ft/14.9 cu ft |
| Trims & MSRP | |
| Gas-Powered Hybrid | Select ($39,300), Preferred ($43,450), Premium Sport ($47,480), Premium Plus ($50,270), S Premium Sport ($54,140), S Premium Plus ($57,570) PHEV Preferred ($50,695), PHEV Premium Sport ($55,500), PHEV Premium Plus ($58,700) |
Design: Simply Elegant
The CX-90 models Mazda’s signature Kodo design, known for clean surfaces and a rear-biased stance. It features small details like a long hood, wide grille, and curves that give the SUV a more premium look than most mainstream midsize three-row SUVs. Not much goes on at the sides, making it easier to appreciate the elegance of the tall doors, which could have been perfect if they had flush handles.
Depending on the trim, the CX-90 features about 8.1 inches of ground clearance and 19 to 21-inch alloy wheels with a Black Metallic finish. The rear stands out with slim LED lights, a hands-free power tailgate, and dual exhausts that don’t shout for attention.
Performance: Innovative Drivetrain, Lacks Excitement
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 runs on a smooth 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine capable of a maximum 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque on premium unleaded fuel. It uses an 8-speed automatic transmission with four driving modes – Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing. While the output is good for a midsize SUV, it’s not enough power for such an engine architecture.
The CX-90 does 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, has a maximum 5,000-pound towing capacity, and a respectable fuel efficiency of 23/28 MPG (city/hwy). Eco-conscious buyers can opt for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant that produces 323 horsepower. All trims use Mazda’s rear-biased i-Activ AWD, which sends most of the power to the rear wheels.
How does the CX-90 drive? It’s confident and smooth, mostly in the lower revs, but isn’t as refined as expected. Also, there’s a little hesitation off the line, and the steering may feel heavy, especially on long drives.
Interior: Thoughtfully Designed Cabin
The cabin is where the CX-90 excels the most in its luxury aspirations. It sports a clean, understated interior with Nappa leather covering and nice finishing. There’s ambient lighting, a power moonroof, and USB-C charging outlets for all three rows on select models. Front and second rows are ventilated, and buyers can choose between a bench seat and captain’s chairs to accommodate 6 to 8 passengers.
In terms of space, the crossover doesn’t match up to three-row expectations. First and second-row occupants get decent 41.7 inches (front) and 39.4 inches (middle) of legroom and about 39.7 inches of headroom. The third row, however, is best suited for kids and must be folded to free up 40.1 cu ft for cargo. Otherwise, the CX-90 only provides 14.9 cu ft of cargo room behind the third row.
Connectivity and Driver-Assist Features
The infotainment system is simple and easy to navigate. A 12.3-inch infotainment display (10.25 inches on lower trims) sits separately from button controls. Drivers who find the buttons a bit of a reach can use the rotary dial on the center console and the wheel-mounted controls for basic operations. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Besides receiving vehicle status alerts on their smartphones, drivers can use the MyMazda App to start and stop the CX-90 remotely.
Standard driver-assist and safety tech on the CX-90 include 360° View Monitor, Smart Brake Support, and Blind Spot Monitoring. Optional features like the heads-up display and trailer hitch view are available on higher trims.
Competition: Going After the Luxury SUV Market
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 leans towards the luxury three-row SUV segment, so it draws competition from both mainstream and luxury SUVs. Its direct segment rivals include the Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer and Hyundai Palisade.
While the CX-90 feels more premium than the Grand Highlander, the latter is more suited for family trips with its practical space. Head-to-head, the Grand Highlander is more functional, but the CX-90 is the better ride. Against the Kia Telluride, the CX-90 has better driving dynamics, even though the Kia SUV has more intuitive tech and a third row that’s actually useful.
Overall, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 punches above its weight with excellent features that appeal to buyers who want the luxury feel. Moreover, it has one of the cheapest entry prices in its class. As a side note, buyers who don’t need a third row can opt for the Mazda CX-70 instead. They share the same powertrains and dimensions, and since the CX-70 has only two rows, it offers a more comfortable cabin layout.
