Mazda’s latest SUV is known as the 2024 Mazda CX-90, which offers space for seven occupants in premium comfort.  With manufacturers striving to make their flagship SUVs roomier and more powerful, their efforts can sometimes come at a cost to economy.  Mazda, however, are bucking this trend, offering their largest SUV with space for seven occupants and boasting a combined fuel consumption that has it right at the top of its class.  Mazda’s superior economy comes via the use of their excellent Skyactiv technology and combining this with mild-hybrid capabilities.

Differentiating the models is simple.  There are three types of 2024 Mazda CX-90 SUV you can buy.  All three versions are very luxurious, with the Azami boasting all the goodies, the GT having a little more of a sporty flair, and the Touring being the “base” model without one or two of the flashiest bells and whistles you would find on an Azami.  Any of these three versions can be powered by a 3.3-litre petrol hybrid, or 3.3-litre diesel hybrid.  Let’s take a closer look.

Models with G50e in their name are powered by a strong 3.3-litre double overhead cam turbo Skyactiv G (Gasoline) motor that puts out 254 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque.  The hybrid engine requires 95 ULP for fuel.  Models with D50e in their name are powered by a superb 3.3-litre double overhead cam turbo Skyactiv D (Diesel) motor that puts out 187 kW of power and 550 Nm of torque – all of which comes into play lower down in the engine revs compared to the Skyactiv G motor.  Like the CX-60, the CX-90’s petrol and diesel engines are supported by a new 48V mild-hybrid system. Mazda says the onboard electric motor supplements the engine under inefficient low-load conditions (e.g. idling and low speeds) to improve efficiency.

The CX-90 G50e will be capable of hitting 100km/h from rest in 6.9 seconds, while a top speed will be well beyond 210 km/h.  The petrol inline six quotes a combined fuel economy of 8.2 L/100 km which, while not in the same league as the thrifty oiler, beats the current 2.5-litre turbo in the CX-9 AWD (9.0L/100km). Mazda also says the G50e emits 189g/km of CO₂, which is almost a 10% improvement over the CX-9’s four-cylinder turbo.

The CX-90e D50e can still hustle through the 0-100 km/h dash in 8.4 seconds and run onto a top speed of 210 km/h.  Mazda Australia has confirmed that the D50e variant, which uses the same 187kW/550Nm 3.3-litre inline six turbo-diesel as the smaller CX-60, wears a combined efficiency rating of 5.4 litres per 100km. CO₂ emissions are quoted at 143g/km.

All Mazda CX-90 SUVs come with on-demand 4WD, and while this is not a dedicated off-road machine, the CX-90’s off-road mode’s programming is excellent, allowing it to perform well when conditions off the tarmac become challenging, thus directing as much torque as technically possible to the only tire in contact with the ground. The Mazda CX-90 performed exceptionally well in some of the off-road tests that Autoevolution put it through in the USA – even when running on its standard all-season tyres!

Although, at the time of writing, this the suave Mazda CX-90 hasn’t been crash tested by ANCAP, recent Mazdas have usually performed extremely well.  Mazda’s flagship SUV has all the goodies present to make each model very safe; the safety list includes things like: alert/warning for potential forward collisions, alert/warning for road sign displays, blind spot sensors, brake emergency display and hazard/stoplights, cameras at the front and both sides as well as at the rear, collision mitigation technology, reverse braking technology, rear collision warning and avoidance, crash avoidance control with braking at any speed, pedestrian avoidance with braking, cross-traffic alert for both the front and rear of the vehicle, driver attention detection systems, lane departure warning, lane keeping active assist, parking assist with a full graphical display on the touchscreen display, side door exit warning, warnings for driver fatigue, EBD (electronic brake force distribution), hill descent control, hill holder assist, rollover stability control, and even trailer sway mitigation. 

The CX-90’s on-board features include a whole lot of decent features that include things like GPS navigation, an electric tailgate, automatic lights and wipers, a premium 8-speaker audio system (12-speakers in the Azami model), Bluetooth pairing, wireless smartphone connection and charging, auxiliary ports front and rear, keyless start, comfortable partial leather seats, reclining seats, 19-inch alloys (21-inch Azami), voice control and much more. 

One of the delights of driving the new Mazda CX-90 SUV is that it feels very balanced and grippy when driven with verve.  The chassis is always engaging, yet the CX-90 copes extremely well with road undulations out on the highways and in town.  Interior noise remains well muted, and the vehicle feels and looks more luxurious than the price may suggest.  It is every bit as classy as a BMW or Audi, and the build quality is first-rate.  Mazda vehicles also perform pretty in reliability surveys, so the new CX-90 should prove a worthy companion.

The current 2024 Mazda CX-90 SUV models include the:

• CX-90 G50e Touring
• CX-90 D50e Touring
• CX-90 G50e GT
• CX-90 D50e GT
• CX-90 G50e Azami
• CX-90 D50e Azami

For any more information on the new 2024 Mazda CX-90 SUV or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Mazda dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!