Mazda rolled back the curtain on its CX-90 full-size cross-over on Tuesday. It gave us a first glimpse at the new rear-drive platform, as well as its inline-six turbocharged engine.
It’s called the e-Skyactiv, the brand-new 3.3-liter six-cylinder is located longitudinally in the engine bay of the CX90. Going front-to-back with the engine is a big step away from the rest of the company’s SUV lineup, which uses transversely mounted engines for a front-wheel-drive-biased layout. Mazda has a statement that it’s moved in this route to get into the luxury market as well as “elevate” the company’s “signature driving performance.”
The engine is linked to a brand new 8-speed auto transmission that delivers power to all four wheels, as is standard. Between the inline-six and gearbox is an electric motor that helps to push the engine when it is at low speeds, and also during acceleration, giving it to give an “upscale feeling,” according to Mazda. The powertrain, when combined, produces the equivalent of 340 horsepower and 369 pounds of torque using premium fuel.
If you’re searching for a big SUV that’s more focused on efficiency and efficiency, the CX-90 can be outfitted with a hybrid powertrain. It features its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which is connected via an electric motor, and a 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. The eSkyactiv PHEV model can operate solely with electricity “in a variety of driving scenarios,” however the manufacturer doesn’t disclose the number of miles. The total output, when the engine runs at a high rate, is 323 horsepower and 369 lbs of torque.
Inside, you’ll find a huge interior featuring three rows. Up front, you’ll find larger displays paired with real buttons–refreshing news considering an industry-wide shift to bothersome touch-capacitive buttons and touchscreen-dominated cabins. USB-C charging ports are added to the third row, and the captain’s chairs are available for the second row.
Mazda has announced that the 2024’s CX-90 will be available for sale in the latter part of spring, but pricing has not been disclosed. We anticipate that the vehicle will start around the low $40k range, which makes it an attractive option for those who want BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE luxuriousness at only a fraction of the cost.
