2026 MAZDA CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 is the brand’s most family-friendly SUV, with standard 3-row seating for up to eight people. Midsize 3-row SUVs are all about practicality, but that doesn’t mean you must compromise on premium features or an exciting driving experience. The CX-90 boasts one of the more luxurious interiors we’ve seen in a non-luxury SUV, with a rich design and upscale materials throughout. It’s also pretty fun to drive thanks to its turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine, which makes a healthy 340 horsepower in the Turbo S trims. Additionally, an efficient plug-in hybrid option is available, which we review separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize SUVs, including the Mazda CX-90.

Amazon Alexa integration now comes standard on every 2026 Mazda CX-90. Additionally, there’s a new Turbo S Premium Sport trim, which brings the sporty appearance package from the Turbo Premium Sport trim with the base engine and brings it to the Turbo S lineup. Polymetal Gray Metallic, a premium color on several Mazda products but new to the 2026 CX-90, replaces Sonic Silver Metallic.

The Mazda CX-90’s Turbo models are priced typically for a midsize 3-row SUV. It’s priced close to the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Highlander. The Turbo S models are pricier because their performance is atypical for a midsize family SUV.

Before buying a CX-90, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Mazda CX-90 resale value is about average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is powered by a 280-horsepower turbocharged 6-cylinder engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). The gutsier Turbo S models turn up the heat with 340 hp, putting this Mazda in the same wheelhouse as sportier options in this class like the Ford Explorer ST and Dodge Durango GT.

The base engine makes more sense for most families. It does an admirable job moving the CX-90 along in swift comfort. We’ve noticed some fussiness in the shifting from the 8-speed transmission, but mostly in Sport mode. Normal mode ensures a reasonably smooth and serene ride.

In addition to enhancing its all-season traction, the standard all-wheel drive system in the Mazda CX-90 also improves handling and grip on dry pavement. Mazda’s clever Kinematic Posture Control applies the brakes to an inside rear wheel during cornering, reducing body roll while optimizing stability. It’s a little thing that makes the Mazda feel a bit more planted in the corners than a typical SUV this size.

Fuel Economy

The Mazda CX-90’s base engine returns 24 city/28 highway/25 combined mpg. The Turbo S models are similarly efficient, returning 23 city/28 highway/25 combined mpg, but premium fuel is recommended, so fuel costs are quite a bit higher. These fuel economy ratings are above average for this class.

Mazda has been on a roll for several years in delivering the interior design and quality expected in more expensive vehicles. The CX-90 is a prime example of this effort. It looks clean but not too sparse, and everything the driver touches just feels nice.

The centerpiece of this interior is a 10.25-inch infotainment display, which can be upgraded to a 12.3-inch screen. It’s controlled primarily by a knob on the center console. Oddly, it only becomes a touchscreen when Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is in use. The native, knob-operated system has a learning curve but feels natural once you get used to it.

The CX-90 seats between six and eight, depending on the configuration. The 8-passenger setup has a second-row bench seat and three seats in the third row. Seating capacity drops to seven when you opt for second-row captain’s chairs. The upper trims forego the middle seat in the third row and have standard captain’s chairs, so these seat six.

The first and second rows of seats are roomy and comfortable for adults, but the CX-90 is on the small side when it comes to room for cargo and third-row passengers. There are 30.4 inches of third-row legroom, a little more than the Toyota Highlander, but less than the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, and Chevy Traverse.

The Mazda’s cargo hold isn’t very useful when all the seats are in use; there’s only 14.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row. That increases to 40 cubic feet behind the second and 74.2 cubic feet behind the first.

In the same way the interior of the Mazda CX-90 feels like it’s from a more premium car, its exterior design has a way of making it look more expensive than it is. Its long hood and prominent grille imply sportiness, while its clean, restrained lines make it look on the more premium side of its class, which it is.

Tri-zone automatic climate control
We always like to see this comfort feature in a family-oriented vehicle. It comes standard in the Mazda CX-90.

i-Activsense
The standard i-Activsense bundle of driver assistance tech features includes full-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist.

Smartphone connectivity
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are must-have features for many people, and they come standard in the Mazda CX-90. All but the base trim get wireless connectivity.

Head-up display
This feature becomes standard in the third trim (Premium Sport). It projects vital information on the windshield directly ahead of the driver, making it a little easier to keep your eyes on the road.

Inline-6 engines
Pardon us for a second while we geek out on mechanical stuff, but a 6-cylinder engine with all its pistons in a row is naturally smoother than one in a V configuration. BMW has used this setup for years, and Mercedes-Benz is revisiting it. So this is another luxury aspect of the CX-90.

Heated second-row seats
These are exclusive to the Premium Plus models, which also have heated/ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. It’s a nice feature for families in colder climates.

Every CX-90 has a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-6 engine augmented by a mild-hybrid system that smooths out the fuel-saving engine stop/restart action and can propel the SUV just with electric power for a short distance at low speed.

In the more affordable Turbo models, this engine develops a perfectly adequate 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque with regular gasoline. Mazda also offers the Turbo S setup with 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque — premium gasoline is recommended here.

All-wheel drive (with a sporty-feeling rear bias in normal conditions) is standard, accompanied by an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, achieved by the lower-powered engine. That’s par for the midsize SUV course.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Mazda’s new-vehicle warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for mainstream manufacturers.

Safety Ratings

The CX-90 has taken the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also earned the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.