Say Hello to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S

With the 2024 Mazda CX-90, the Japanese automaker is stepping up its game to establish itself as a premium vehicle brand. The car’s rear-wheel-drive-based underpinnings and turbocharged inline-six engine are reminiscent of BMW and Mercedes powertrain architectures. However, the CX-90 is more than just a well-built machine with impressive specs. Priced at $40,970 for the base model, it’s more in line with other mainstream mid-size three-row SUVs. The CX-90 recently emerged victorious in a five-way comparison test against rivals such as the Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and Honda Pilot. 

While the CX-90 might have impressed the judges during the test, the real test of a car’s worth is how it performs over the long haul. To that end, the CX-90 will be put to the test with a 40,000-mile drive. This extended drive time will help determine if the CX-90 is a mainstream SUV with premium decor or a bonafide premium SUV with a mainstream price tag.

If you’re looking for a premium SUV, the top-of-the-line 2024 CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus is worth considering. However, with a price tag of $62,550, it’s certainly not cheap. This price includes $325 worth of carpeted mats and a $900 port-installed tow package. The tow package includes a trailer hitch and harness, tow ball and mount, and brake controller. It’s worth noting that the brake controller takes up valuable space on the lower dash, which could be inconvenient for the driver’s knees.

Our 2024 CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus test vehicle comes in Deep Crystal Blue Mica and packs Mazda’s more powerful 3.3-liter inline-six engine. This engine can produce up to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque when running on premium gasoline. If you choose to use 87 octane instead, the engine’s output drops to 319 horsepower. The lower-level CX-90 Turbo models have a less powerful tune, with only 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, regardless of octane. While this engine setup may be sufficient for most CX-90 buyers, the Turbo S model offers more power and performance. However, this extra power comes at a cost. The Turbo S model adds $7000 to the bottom line compared to a non-S Turbo Premium Plus model.

While the CX-90 Turbo S is the most powerful version of Mazda’s three-row SUV, it’s not the most agile. Despite weighing 272 pounds less, our 4964-pound long-term CX-90 was slower to accelerate compared to the gas-electric CX-90 PHEV, which has 323 horsepower. Our long-term SUV took 6.2 seconds to reach 60 mph and 14.7 seconds to complete the quarter-mile run, both of which were 0.3 and 0.2 seconds slower than the PHEV’s respective times. The CX-90 Turbo S’s 3.6-second 30-to-50-mph run was also 0.9 seconds slower than the PHEV’s time.

Despite not being the most agile option, the CX-90 Turbo S still outperforms many of its six-cylinder competitors from other mainstream brands. However, the powertrain map in the default Normal drive mode can make the SUV feel a bit sluggish off the line unless the driver uses wide-open throttle. This is likely a concession Mazda made to improve fuel efficiency. The CX-90 also features a 48-volt electrical system that powers a stop-start motor between the engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, contributing to the SUV’s relative fuel efficiency. In the first few thousand miles, our CX-90 has averaged 23 mpg, which is slightly below the EPA’s combined estimate of 25 mpg. However, it’s still better than the 22 mpg our long-term 2016 Mazda CX-9 averaged over 40,000 miles. This is an impressive feat considering that the larger CX-90 carries 571 pounds of additional mass compared to the four-cylinder CX-9.

While the CX-90 performs well in terms of acceleration, handling, and braking, its driving experience may not be as engaging as that of the CX-9. The CX-90 feels stoic and demure, with slow and heavy steering, a tendency to understeer, and controlled but significant body motions. These characteristics make it feel a little less special from the driver’s perspective. However, passengers will appreciate the Turbo S Premium Plus trim’s comfortable and luxurious interior. The cabin features high-quality plastics, striking metal decor, and a fabric-covered dashboard with distinct hanging stitches that augment physical climate controls. The soft leather complementing the cabin’s design is available in either tan or white. On the display front, there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The CX-90’s interior has the look and feel of a premium product.

Photo Source: Mazda Newsroom