2025 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus – Review by David Colman +VIDEO

If you like luxury, convenience, and space this is the one to get

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

Whizzing down the fast lane of the Freeway, I glanced over to my left to check out the new Porsches on display at my local dealer's lot. My quick head swivel took just about a second, so I was surprised to find a flashing red "DISTRACTED DRIVER DETECTED" dead center on the gauge cluster of my 2025 Mazda CX-90 SUV. Surprise was followed by a modicum of indignation. Has it really come to this, to assigned powers that track your every eyeball movement? Do they report detected deviations back to headquarters?

Aside from that rather jarring AI generated incident, my week with Mazda's newest line-topping CX-90 proved enjoyable and satisfying. This is a big, boldly designed, truck-like SUV that offers substantial benefits in terms of luxury, convenience, and storage space in addition to the expected handling prowess we've come to expect from all Mazda products. Mazda has pulled out all the stops to craft this new line of SUVs designed to conquer sales from upmarket brands like Land Rover, Audi, BMW, and yes, even Porsche. While I didn't see any new Cayennes on that Porsche lot, that's just the kind of conquest sale Mazda had in mind when bringing the CX-90 to market. Judging from its stunning interior looks to Mazda's overall attention to detail, the ruling German trio may be in for quite a sales tussle with this one.

That's because you don't need to spend $75,000 to $150,000 to buy the best CX-90 Mazda can build. In fact, you don't need to exceed $57,905 which is the bottom line for our Deep Crystal Blue Mica over Tan Nappa Leather test vehicle. Paying half price for the refined looks, stellar performance, and exceptional detailing of this Mazda should appeal to your economical side. Under the lengthy hood lies a nifty new piece of internal combustion engineering. Mazda has developed an all aluminum, inline 6 cylinder powerplant, then boosted its output with turbocharging and intercooling to produce 340hp and 369lb.-ft. of torque (on Premium Fuel). That's more than enough pulling power to tow a 3,500lb. trailer with ease.

The CX-90's interior layout comprises three rows of seating, with the first and second row chairs rather lavishly equipped with seat heating and ventilation. To gain access to the rear-most row, you must slide the second row captain's chairs forward and tilt their backs forward. This can be accomplished easily, with assistance from the large grab handle affixed to both second row seats. At this point small folks or scrunched up bigger folks can make their way back to the steerage compartment for hopefully short jaunts. Meanwhile, life in the first two rows defines all that motor travel is cracked up to be: comfy, spacious, climate controlled, and luxurious. The Tan Nappa Leather feels soft, smells enticing, and looks as handsome as any car seat you've ever seen. The dashboard and door panels are covered with a matching shade of faux suede that is secured with double bands of contrast stitching. Although I wonder how long this suede-like material will last before succumbing to wear and hand oils, when it's new it looks great.

Unlike most full-size SUVs, which feel somnolent and unresponsive when commanded to deviate from a straight line, this 4,760 pound monster complies with immediate response to your steering inputs. This gratifyingly connected response is partially attributable to the CX-90's premium double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension. The geometry of the design allows for an astonishingly small Turning Diameter of 41.2 feet (Curb-to-Curb) which means you can confidently maneuver this big boy on city streets. Best of all you won't be backing up traffic when you need to park or make a U-Turn.

Out on the open road, the bulky Mazda feels surprisingly light on the contact patches of its 275/45R21 Toyo Open Country A50 mud and snow-rated rubber. These tires, which are made from comparatively soft rubber (TW 300), are willing partners when you put the CX-90 through its paces on twisty pavement. While the ride quality is sometimes harsh due to the short sidewall radials mounted on 8.5 x 21-inch rims, I'll take the tradeoff any day for precise handling over supreme ride comfort.

The straight six mill drives all four wheels through an 8-speed transmission equipped with paddle shifters. These levers flank an artful tan and black leather, gold stitched steering wheel. The gearbox works best if left to its own devices, as it seems slow to respond to paddle commands when manually prodded. One irritating habit it inflicts on the driver is its reluctance to engage "Drive" for a five second count after you've started the vehicle. Maybe Mazda should provide the recalcitrant transmission with this dashboard warning: "DISTRACTED GEARBOX DETECTED." After all, fair's fair.

2025 MAZDA CX-90 3.3 TURBO S PREMIUM PLUS

• ENGINE: 3.3 liter inline-6, turbocharged and intercooled, DOHC, 24-valve, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
• HORSEPOWER: 340@6000rpm
• TORQUE: 369lb.-ft. @2000rpm
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 23MPG City/28MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: $57,905

HYPES: Ultra-Luxe Interior

GRIPES: Poorly Arranged Dash Switches

STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman