2024 Mazda CX-90: A worthy update to the CX-9?

Big news out of Mazda, the CX-9 that was produced from 2007-2023 has been replaced! I reviewed the Signature trim on here back in 2020 and was generally pretty pleased, concluding that it was a bit of a “do-it-all three-row.” However, as the second generation soldiered on for a few more model years (8 in total), I found it was definitely fancy but started to feel more and more, well, dated. So, I was excited to see Mazda was coming out with a brand new replacement, the CX-90. We brought you a first drive review, and I’ve just spent a week with a new 2024 Mazda CX-90 S Premium Plus, putting it through some daily driver paces. Let’s find out what’s good and what’s what with this new three-row Mazda.

Oh wait, before we get into the details, it’s important to remember where we came from. Lest we forget, the first-gen CX-9 (2007–2015) was built on the Ford CD3 platform. It was more Ford Edge than anything else. It even used a 3.5-liter Ford V-6 engine its first model year. However, Mazda kept at it, adding a 3.7-liter Mazda engine for 2008 and implementing two facelifts in 2010 and 2013 to help give it some more Mazdainess. By the end it had fully adopted Mazda’s new “Kodo Design” philosophy and definitely fit in at the Mazda showroom a bit better.

This new CX-90 is all Mazda, though, only sharing a platform with the smaller CX-50. You can choose between five trim levels for 2024: Select, Preferred, Preferred Plus, Premium and Premium Plus. Combine that with three engine options — a base 3.3 Turbo (280 horsepower), the optional 3.3 Turbo S (340 horsepower) and a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) version — and there’s a little something for everyone. Pricing starts at $39,595 for the cheapest trim (3.3 Turbo Select) and goes up to $59,950 for the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus like our tester. Our loaner just added $595 for some white paint and had an out-the-door price of $61,920.

It looks goooood

How is the 2024 Mazda CX-90 to drive?

How about the rest of that Zoom-Zoom though? Well, it’s not exactly a Miata, but it actually felt nimble for its size. The four-wheel independent suspension and 21-inch wheel and tire package worked fairly harmoniously to tackle the on and off-ramps around D.C. without a lot of drama. Most buyers likely don’t expect to feel any level of entertainment from their family-mobile, but the 2024 Mazda CX-90 actually delivers some.

 

What about the tech?

One of my least favorite things about the CX-9, and any Mazda of that era, was the touchscreen. There wasn’t one. Even though the rotary dial that sat down between the shifter and center console was reasonably easy to use, it was no replacement for just reaching up and touching the darn screen. Mazda has fixed that for the CX-90, while the dial remains for those hardcore fans, the 12.3-inch screen is now fully touchable when using Apple CarPlay. The interface is still relatively simple to navigate even if the graphics feel a tad dated.

There are a couple of usability foibles here and there. For instance, the HVAC temperature control buttons only go down. So to increase the temperature you push the red one down. Something I’m sure you’d get used to as an owner, but as someone who drives a different car every week (huuuumble brag, sorry), it was confusing. The Bose audio system absolutely booms, and I should know boom. I had a DIY car stereo in the 1990s.

However, like we noted in the first drive, the wireless charging is still completely useless. Our first issue stemmed from an overheating phone, but as you can see from the shot above, this time the system just told me repeatedly that “wireless charging is unavailable.” Perhaps it has something to do with the pad where the phone is supposed to rest, as there just isn’t anything keeping your phone in place. When I got all zoomy, my phone just slid around and wouldn’t maintain a connection. Even in normal, non-enthusiastic driving, it just wouldn’t stay put, making it pretty much useless.

Enough space for the fam?

Depending on the trim level you can sit six to eight passengers, our tester had the second-row captain’s chairs, so that means it’s at the bottom of that range. Still, having three kids I can say that some separation in the second row is more than welcome. The legroom isn’t quite as impressive as a few of the competitors but I found it to be enough. At 6-feet even, I had enough room to sit in the third row, though I might not want to experience a family pilgrimage to Orlando from D.C. back there (Publisher Tim Esterdahl and Managing Editor Jill Ciminillo should both fit with space to spare LOL).

Cargo space behind the third row is fine. You’ll get 15.9 cubic feet of space, which gives you room for a small grocery run with all seats in place. Drop the manual rear seats, and you’ve got much more room to work with. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 tackled hockey practice without any issues, but that wouldn’t have worked with passengers in the back row. There are plenty of little cubbies and areas for small-item storage, but the split-opening center console was a little odd. I suppose it allows you to access the storage area quickly without opening both sections. Or something.