This is a Motormouth couple car review of the 2026 Mazda CX-90 mid-size, 3-row SUV.
What’s New for the 2026 Mazda CX-90? There aren’t a lot of changes, Mazda has added 7-passenger seating to the top trim, it used to be 6-passenger, this will give families much more flexibility when moving people yet wanting all the bells and whistles. There are also updates to some of the 2026 Mazda CX-90 trims, adding extra features and adding or eliminating colour options. In the US, there’s a new trim, S Premium Sport.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is powered by a 3.3L inline 6 turbo with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, it’s matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission, 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. You can use regular fuel, but you’ll get a little less horsepower, torque number stays the same.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 base engine has the 3.3L inline 6 turbo but with less power, 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Standard, i-Activ AWD.
We are driving the 2026 Mazda CX-90 GT-P trim which is one below the top trim, this is similar to the S Premium Sport in the US. It comes with some great features, a panoramic sunroof, hands-free power liftgate, dual 12.3” screens, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, wireless charger, navigation, 12-speaker Bose sound system, power front seats, a passenger height adjustment, driver seat memory, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated second row seats and the option of a bench seat or captain’s chairs.
MSRP 2026 Mazda CX-90 pricing in Canada, GS $46,250, GS-L $51,100, GT $55,700, GT-P $59,650, Signature $63,650. Freight and PDE, add $2,195. Price as tested $61,845 CAD.
In the US, 2026 Mazda CX-90 Select $38,800, Preferred $42,950, Premium Sport $46,980, Premium Plus $50,270, S Premium Sport $53,940, S Premium Plus $57,370.
2026 Mazda CX-90 standard engine fuel economy, 9.9L/100 km, 24 MPG city, 8.4L/100 km, 28 MPG highway. High Output 10.3L/100 km, 23 MPG city, 8.5L/100 km, 28 MPG highway.
Andrea Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motormouth_andrea/
Zack Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motormouth_auto/
I hope Mazda keeps the wired Apple car play. Reason why their wireless charging SUCKS and sometimes when u walk in and out of the car the phone disconnects and it’s a pain to get it paired again, but if u have the wire it connects super fast.
HORs Bor 360 TOp
Never understood the love for CX-90, but to each their own
Hyundai Santa Fe HYBRID is much better deal – bigger, cheaper, HYBRID, better tech (touchscreen + wireless). 3rd row is bigger too (I've been in both)
I bet when your Porsche is cold, it doesn’t run perfect either. You should know that Zach being a journalist for cars his car you keep talking about gets bad reviews because you are always giving it bad reviews when it’s cold. Let’s give it a rest Zach. Every car should be warmed up before you start running it hard.
I have 2025 CX 70 in-line six with the 280 hp. Under hard acceleration I do not have any vibration. It’s a smooth as butter Zack. Are you sure Zach that you’re not being a little critical of this engine and transmission?
Andrea, helpppp!!!! I'm in a pickle trying to decide between Lexus NX or Mercedes AMG GLC. I currently drive and AMG GLB and love it but my lease is up. I love the NX and I love the GLC, what would you drive?
I wonder if the jerky transmission is solely for the 340 hp version and smoother in the 270HP.
We bought a used Signature for the price of a new base. The heavy steering is not that heavy and it’s great for both city and especially highway, we actually prefer the heavy steering and we are parents. Shame Windsor Tan is gone – that was the best combination. That resonance is only under very hard acceleration from a slow speed.
With the TSBs I think nearly every issue is now resolved. Digital tuning radio has a minor issue (just tune off digital tuning), resolved media screen with a map update (which was free and DIY), haven’t totally fallen in love with the electronic steering but it’s good 95% (checking the tight radius behaviour to make sure it’s not a fault) and the cruise control is overly sensitive to corner speed and yaw rates (it automatically takes speed down if you are outside some set parameters – hoping there is an override as this car drives like it’s a sport sedan). They need to make more incremental brightness adjustments for the gauge cluster.
The good – Super fuel efficient and smooth, highly capable in snow and handles hill climbs with ease. You can make it hold gears like a real car should. The length of the trunk/boot is huge and with tuxmats it’s up for the mess of an active family. Stereo is amazing, seats are comfortable, heated seats are powerful, lane keep assist works well, the style, displays and quality of materials is premium. They’ve used aluminium (expensive) in the suspension set up. The engine bay looks new, no dirt gets in there. And the maintenance costs are very affordable, possibly lower than Toyota.
For the sake of your homeland please give cargo dimensions in metric. I’m a tall athletic parent, I fit fine 🙂
if they could make cx 70 shorter , that would be perfect
Zach's point about the transmission not being ready upon model release seems to be a trend for Mazda. They had to fix the CX-60 suspension in Australia multiple times. They're now releasing the new CX-5 with the old engine now, and the new engine next year… I wonder why Mazda keeps doing this?
When i had a Mazda 6, I sat in one of these in the dealership while getting a service, and I noticed the front cupholders were smaller in diameter and shallower than the cupholders in the 6; They barely fit my medium Yeti travel cup so large travel cups are probably a no go, which is very disappointing in today's age.
I can't stand these new pulsating turn signals that Mazda and BMW have started using. However, at least Mazdas have proper separate running, brake, and amber rear turn signals, unlike USDM BMWs.
I believe the 2025 hd more than transmission issues. I would hope reviewers would have the courage to do a deeper dive into that. No one cares about the bench seats if the drivetrain has serious issues. Thanks.
As a Cx 90 owner , I would not get this car. Lack of storage. Ride is a bit stiff , transmission sucks and reliability is poor.
What did you both think of the North American international car show in Toronto? I don’t plan to go this year because there are so many no-shows.
Another great video. A question …
@motormouth – Are you aware of suspension changes? Turned in our leased 2024 CX90 PHEV and purchased a 2026 PHEV. The 2024 had an obnoxiously firm highway ride. Seat of the pants impression, the 2026 feels much better on the highway. The ride feels less busy and impacts are not as harsh. I noticed the MazdaUSA website states a rear stabilizer bar. To my knowledge, the 2024 didn’t have one. I remember watching a video where Mazda’s lead engineer said that the Kinematic Posture Control worked so well, a rear bar wasn’t necessary. With softer springs it would explain the better ride and the need for a rear bar. Note, it does feel like the 2026 leans in the corners a tad more …. another indication of softer springs?
How many speakers installed on this SUV, does it have a subwoofer?
On the audio system does it have an equalizer too built-in ?
Seats are too small
I think the CX 90 is a good looking SUV!
i wanted to get the phev but man what a waste of a 3rd row, u cant even put your toddler in there
I 100% agree with wanting a bench seat on all trims. I'm looking for an AWD 3 row, and I'm very impressed with the AWD system in the CX-90. I want the top trim, because I don't want the cladding on the wheel wells, but I also want a bench in the second row.
Andrea, the auto makers influencer!
Will the older models get the transmission software updates?
It’s still one of the vehicles on the list of slowest selling cars in the US as measured by days of supply. Still issues with worries about the cost and complexity of doing engine maintenance, many items require the engine to be dropped.
If they just brought this design and PHEV to Mazda 6 name as a mid-size sedan. Updated the screens to Genesis like OLED curved display, they would have a winner on hands and have a long list of takers. Camry has a such a long wait period
That grinding second gear is engineering side effect whenever you place 40+ watt battery in-between engine and gearbox. It should smooth out over time.
I was so close to buying this car, but had to back off once I found out about the hybrid battery cost replacement. 5k for the mild, 20k for the full hybrid. If you keep your cars for a long time, just be wary once the warranty expires!
How tall are both of you? Just thinking about how crowded or not crowded you look in the front seats. Also, Andrea looks really good today. (really good)! I can't wait to see her again, I mean the next car. With her in it.
This is a weird looking vehicle. They should’ve brought the CX60 to North America.
Had one as a rental last week never hit my leg on center console dude must like his food.
What do you think about buttons for volume or in some cases the heated seats being so close to the cup holders? I see myself bumping my coffee and splashing…
WIRED Carplay / Android Auto in the CX-90??? Crazy. Thankfully they haven't tainted the interior
Mazda SUVs are the best looking. I really like this CX 90
That dashboard & interior are perfectly executed. Hopefully they won't ruin this model like they did the CX-5, which they should've made into an entirely new model instead of eliminating the world's best compact SUV.
I leased the 2025 CX-70 PHEV Preferred, since my doggo & I don’t need a third row. To avoid a black/white vehicle w/white/black interior, I ordered melting copper ext./greige int. from Japan & waited 90 days. I don’t find the slightly lower power to be noticeable and the software upgrades to the automatic transmission make its performance pretty smooth. And my leg doesn’t rub the center console at all. All & all, relatively satisfied!
“It’s Cardi B of SUV!” 🤣🤣🤣
I'm looking at this car – it looks like you don't have enough room in the seats. I assume you'll tell us how comfortable they are.
It looks like you guys don’t like MAZDA. Well, i love Mazda, if you are not a car enthusiast you shouldn’t do car videos. Car enthusiasts love heavy steering wheel that gives a Porsche feeling. I dont wanna touch and get distracted touching touch screen all the time while i am driving.
Think they’ll bring the CX-50 back to Canada?.
Would you get a cx 70 if you don’t need the extra seats or is it a better deal to get the cx90 🤷✌️🙏🇨🇦
Nice-looking vehicle. My main complaint is that the wipers are really slow in moderate to heavy rain. In addition, the wiper fluid system is poorly designed, as it consumes the fluid very quickly, particularly in snowy winters, when it is most needed.
Inline 6 is cracking.. 👍💪
Styling is an issue for me. The back is indeed bulbous, like a hump. It’s a turn off for me. Personally I liked the CX-9 better. Mazda was smart to leave controls on the console. Very nice.
I agree. There should be no wired CarPlay on any vehicle in 2026. 👎👎👎
I wish I had seen your videos when I was at school… ”Hey teachers – my goal is to finish the year with all “As”. I’ll do my part by reminding you at the end of each class. All I ask is that you do your part. It won’t cost you anything and it will mean the world to me.” 😉 Just teasing – love the channel guys. Andrea – I think you are a consummate professional. Gotta put it in “S” for Subscribe! 👍😊