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Mazda has spent years pushing into premium territory, but the 2026 CX-90 is the first SUV that genuinely feels like it belongs there. It packs an upscale cabin, a smooth turbocharged inline-six, and the kind of driving experience you'd normally expect from something wearing a German badge.
The biggest surprise is the price. Even a well-equipped CX-90 comes in roughly $25,000 below a similarly specified BMW X5, making it one of the strongest luxury alternatives from a mainstream brand.
There's just one thing to know before heading to the dealership. The gas-powered inline-six is the version that lives up to the hype, while the plug-in hybrid doesn't quite deliver the same polished experience.
Why the CX-90 feels more expensive than it is
Mazda aimed well above the mainstream
The CX-90 doesn't follow the same recipe as most three-row family SUVs. Instead of using a front-wheel-drive-based platform, Mazda engineered it around a longitudinal layout with rear-wheel-drive-biased proportions—the same basic approach used by premium SUVs like the X5.
That decision changes the way the CX-90 feels on the road. Better weight distribution and more natural steering help it drive like a luxury SUV rather than a typical family crossover, which is why reviewers so often compare it with German rivals instead of other mainstream models.
Mazda carried that philosophy into the cabin, too. Higher trims offer quilted Nappa leather, real wood and metal trim, and a clean, understated dashboard that avoids covering every surface with giant screens.
It's a noticeably different approach from many rivals that lean heavily on oversized displays and touch controls. Instead, the CX-90 feels thoughtfully designed, with solid switchgear, premium materials, and an interior that's easy to spend long hours in.
The result is a cabin that punches well above its price tag. Even before you start the engine, it's clear Mazda wanted buyers to feel like they'd stepped into something from a more expensive segment.
That value becomes even more obvious when you compare prices. A well-equipped inline-six CX-90 lands in the mid-$40,000 range, while a similarly equipped X5 quickly climbs well past $70,000 once options start adding up.
No, the two SUVs aren't identical, and they don't need to be. The point is that the Mazda delivers much of the same premium feel and driving character while leaving enough money in your pocket to make plenty of luxury buyers think twice.
The inline-six is the reason to buy one
The Turbo S changes the conversation
The 2026 CX-90 Turbo S is where Mazda's premium ambitions really come together. Its turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six produces 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, helping the three-row SUV sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.3 seconds.
Those are serious numbers for a family SUV, but the engine layout is just as important as the output. While most mainstream rivals rely on turbocharged four-cylinders or hybrid powertrains, Mazda invested in an inline-six—a configuration that's naturally smooth and usually reserved for more expensive luxury vehicles.
It's a bold move at a time when six-cylinder engines are becoming increasingly rare. Rather than downsizing like most manufacturers have done, Mazda developed an entirely new platform and engine to give the CX-90 a more premium character.
Even lower trims benefit from the same formula. The standard version of the turbocharged inline-six still delivers 280 horsepower, giving the CX-90 effortless performance that's more than enough for everyday driving.
What really stands out isn't outright speed, though. The engine delivers its power in a smooth, linear way that makes the SUV feel relaxed around town and refined on the highway, without the slightly strained character that smaller turbocharged engines can sometimes develop.
The chassis complements that engine perfectly. Combined with the rear-wheel-drive-biased platform, the CX-90 turns into corners with surprising confidence and stays composed even when it's carrying a full load of passengers or luggage.
That's why so many reviewers compare it with luxury SUVs rather than other mainstream three-row crossovers. It doesn't just have premium hardware on paper—it genuinely feels different once you're behind the wheel.
It's not perfect, though
One version is harder to recommend
The inline-six CX-90 is easy to recommend, but the same can't be said for every model in the lineup. If you're shopping for one, the plug-in hybrid deserves a closer look before you sign anything.
On paper, the CX-90 PHEV looks like the obvious upgrade. It combines a 323-horsepower hybrid powertrain with standard all-wheel drive and the promise of electric-only driving for short commutes.
In practice, it's a different story. The PHEV uses the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the gas model, but reviewers have consistently criticized the combination for clunky low-speed behavior and awkward transitions between electric and gasoline power.
Those complaints aren't limited to a single review, either. Shudders, hesitation, and rough engagement when the gas engine fires up have all been recurring criticisms, particularly in stop-and-go traffic where the system switches between power sources more frequently.
Mazda has released software updates and technical service bulletins to improve the way the system behaves. Even so, many reviewers still consider the hybrid less refined than the inline-six model, particularly around town where those rough transitions are most noticeable.
The numbers don't entirely help its case, either. EPA estimates give the PHEV 27 miles of electric-only range, which is enough for some commutes but trails several rivals, meaning the gasoline engine is called into action more often.
Despite the extra electric motor, the PHEV is also slower to 60 mph than the Turbo S. For buyers expecting the flagship model to be both quicker and smoother, that's a compromise worth knowing about before heading to the dealership.
The buying advice is pretty simple
Stick with the inline-six
The plug-in hybrid isn't a bad SUV, but it doesn't showcase the CX-90 at its best. Unless you have a short daily commute, reliable home charging, and a genuine reason to maximize electric driving, it's difficult to justify over the gas-powered model.
The inline-six is the version that fully delivers on Mazda's premium ambitions. It combines smooth performance, confident handling, and an upscale cabin in a way that's rare at this price point.
That's also where the value proposition becomes hardest to ignore. For roughly $25,000 less than a similarly equipped X5, you're getting an SUV that offers many of the same qualities buyers associate with luxury brands, from its rear-drive-biased platform to its refined six-cylinder engine.
The one we'd buy
No, it doesn't wear a BMW badge, and it won't have quite the same prestige parked on your driveway. But once you're behind the wheel, the gap feels much smaller than the price difference suggests.
For most buyers, that's ultimately what matters. The CX-90 proves you don't always have to spend luxury money to get a genuinely premium driving experience.
If you're shopping for one, the advice is straightforward. Stick with the turbocharged inline-six and let it do what it does best.
You'll end up with the version that best delivers on Mazda's promise. It's the model that makes the strongest case for choosing the CX-90 over a far more expensive X5.
