When your car budget doesn’t quite stretch to one of the German luxury brands, Mazda has what you’re looking for in the new CX-90.

This new three-row midsize SUV is set to replace the CX-9, much the same way the CX-50 and CX-30 replaced the CX-5 and CX-3, respectively. Mazda confirmed this new SUV last year as one of two new models using a new longitudinal architecture and a new larger platform. Translation, the new CX-90 is bigger, more comfortable, and much closer to a luxury SUV than the CX-9 ever was.

The Exterior Takes On a New Philosophy

As soon as you see the new CX-90, you’ll realize this SUV is meant to be something different from this brand. Most of the Mazda SUVs include rugged black body cladding to give them a bit of a tougher appearance. The new CX-90 doesn’t have any of this. Instead, this SUV has a set of unique front intakes and no body cladding. This allows the CX-90 to appear more luxury-oriented, placing a priority on the drive you take on the road instead of the one you won’t take on any light trails.

The body of the CX-90 is longer than the outgoing CX-9. This should create a unique profile and a little more space in the third row, which was if we’re being honest, pretty cramped. The color palette hasn’t been announced yet, but Mazda isn’t known for offering crazy colors. As long as the signature Soul Red Crystal Metallic is offered, this SUV should be a hit.

A New Engine Makes a Huge Difference

The outgoing CX-9 uses a traverse-mounted four-cylinder engine, but the new Mazda CX-90 does something entirely different. This new three-row midsize SUV has a longitudinally mounted six-cylinder engine. This complete change hints that the new SUV will be offered with standard RWD and optional AWD or at least a standard AWD system that’s rear-biased, which gives it much sportier driving dynamics.

We’ve seen this new powertrain in the foreign-based CX-60. This system is a new 3.0-liter e-Skyactiv X engine with an M Hybrid Boost, which is the 48-volt system developed by Mazda to be a mild-hybrid assist system. This new engine setup is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. While we don’t yet know the power output from this powertrain, we do know this new setup will be much more powerful than the outgoing turbo-four in the CX-9, which gave us 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.

The New Interior Should be Incredible in the CX-90

The maple wood and Japanese textiles already found in the CX-60 should make it into the new Mazda CX-90 to give us the upscale premium marquee we admire from this brand. Expect the seats to be wrapped in soft Nappa leather and offer the benefits of heating and ventilation at higher trims.

This new Mazda flagship takes the classy bits and adds some practicality to the mix. The outgoing CX-9 was one of the smallest three-row midsize SUVs in the class, and it only offered enough seats for six people. The larger dimensions allow the new C-90 to increase the capacity to seven.

Expect to see a pair of second-row captain’s chairs and a panoramic roof to give you a couple of items that make this SUV even more enjoyable than before. The seats should be comfortable; they were developed using advanced ergonomics to ensure drivers would feel less fatigued after a long ride.

The Tech Package of this Mazda SUV is What You’ll Desire

With other brands moving away from charging cords, Mazda is doing the same. You should see wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on every model of the new Mazda CX-90. Other notable items found in this SUV include ambient interior lighting, a head-up display, an available 360-degree monitor, and premium safety technology. That safety tech includes blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, and lane-keep assist.

One cool feature you should find in this new Mazda SUV is the personalized settings offered. This new system adjusts to preconfigured settings based on facial recognition rather than the key fob uses. Once you step inside, the CX-90 will position the seat and steering wheel to your preset position for you.

Will There be a PHEV Version of the CX-90?

Yes, eventually, a plug-in hybrid model of the Mazda CX-90 will appear. We don’t know if it will arrive during the 2023 model year or be released in 2024. Rumors tell us this new PHEV model should offer between 25 and 35 miles of all-electric driving and take 2-3 hours to recharge the batteries. This would put the CX-90 PHEV on par with competitors, including the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV, Toyota RAV4 Prime, and Kia Sorento PHEV.

How Much Will this New Mazda SUV Cost?

The new 2023 Mazda CX-90 will be the most expensive model from this brand. The starting price should come in around $40,000, but it could be as much as $45,000, depending on how the base model is equipped. The top trim could stretch up to $55,000, and that wouldn’t put this Mazda anywhere near the top of the market. While often promoted as a mainstream brand, the Mazda lineup is filled with premium-level vehicles to offer packaging and equipment that’s just a step below some of the top luxury names in the market.

When Will We See this New SUV?

The official reveal of the new Mazda CX-90 occurred at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Once concluded, this SUV is expected to be available at dealers across the country. This new SUV is expected to arrive at dealerships in the United States during the first quarter of 2023, which could make it a great tax-time purchase if you’re looking for a new SUV that offers high-class driving and plenty of great features.

Will you choose the new CX-90? This new SUV replaces the CX-9, which left us wanting more in many ways. Hopefully, the new CX-90 will offer more cargo room, passenger comfort, and upscale driving qualities. If you’re looking for a five-seat version of the CX-90, it’s on the way in the form of the CX-70, but we don’t know when it will arrive just yet. For now, the new Mazda CX-90 is the talk of the town, and there seems to be a lot to discuss.