This $39,000 SUV feels like a luxury BMW, but there's more than one catch

Published Jul 18, 2026, 3:30 PM EDT Tyler is an automotive journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive industry. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology behind them. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Tyler specializes in automotive journalism, content strategy, and SEO-driven publishing, with a particular interest in performance, reliability, and the cultural role of cars. He approaches automotive writing with a distinct philosophy: vehicles should be engaging and expressive, not merely functional tools. This perspective shapes his coverage and allows readers to connect with cars beyond basic specifications. Over the last couple of years, Mazda has built a strong reputation for themselves. If you're looking for something luxurious on a budget with entertaining driving dynamics, they're an easy choice. The CX-90 is the brand's flagship, and the three-row SUV aims to push this ideology harder than any other model before it. In fact, lots of reviewers crack jokes that the Japanese brand has simply built a BMW, which is a pretty big compliment in our eyes. While there is a lot to love about the CX-90, we think that it has some pretty major flaws that hold it back from being a true luxury car killer. These flaws aren't massive, but they add up, and the three-row SUV feels a bit disappointing. With us being such big fans of Mazda and their current generation of vehicles, this disappointment hit a little harder too. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Mazda's press websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. We focus on the non-hybrid CX-90 in this article, with the plug-in hybrid model being reviewed separately. Mazda's CX-90 offers luxurious environs at a mainstream price It undercuts most of its competition If you're looking for a good-looking three-row SUV with a plush interior, the Mazda CX-90 offers a lot for the money you pay. Mazda has been slowly but surely pushing up market over the last couple of years, and the CX-90 showcases the best materials and tech they have on offer. Price is definitely not the Mazda's weak point as, despite being so plush, it actually starts cheaper than a lot of its core rivals. However, it isn't all rosy, with there being some major flaws that hold it back. The CX-90 comes with an attractive starting price Model Starting MSRP Turbo Select $39,300 Turbo Preferred $43,450 Turbo Premium Sport $47,480 Turbo Premium Plus $50,270 Turbo S Premium Sport $54,140 Turbo S Premium Plus $57,570 Most other mid-size three-row SUVs start well over the $40,000-mark, making the CX-90 one of the more affordable options in this segment. If you're after luxurious materials and a sleek cabin, then it is an excellent deal that is really hard to pass up. While the top trims demand a pretty large sum of money, they feel like genuine competitors to rivals you might get from traditional luxury brands like BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz. Luxury and price are the CX-90's strengths, but Mazda has also made some decisions along the way that make it feel a little compromised. While it outwardly portrays an identity of luxury, its ride quality is far too harsh. Its third row is also much smaller than what you get from its rivals. Finally, while it houses an inline-six under the hood, which is surprising for any mainstream SUV, it showcases an uncharacteristic lack of refinement. Despite its great on-paper specs, a number of little issues plague the CX-90 Mazda comes so close to something special Credit: Mazda If you look at the CX-90 on paper, you might immediately think that the Japanese brand has simply built a BMW. It sits on a rear-biased platform, and it features a pretty powerful inline-six engine under the hood. Both of these things make the CX-90 pretty unique when weighed up against its mainstream rivals. That's why it's so disappointing that the CX-90 falls short of the mark, with refinement issues spoiling an otherwise attractive package. Good performance, but a ride that is just too harsh Base Trim Engine 3.3L Skyactiv-G 16 Base Trim Transmission 8-Speed Automatic Base Trim Drivetrain All-Wheel Drive Base Trim Horsepower 280 hp @ 5000 rpm Base Trim Torque 332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) 24/28/25 mpg Make Mazda Model CX-90 Segment Midsize SUV Regardless of which trim level you opt for, every 2026 CX-90 features a turbocharged inline-six engine under the hood. This engine layout is usually reserved for luxury brands like BMW and Land Rover, with no other mainstream brand offering the same setup. Most models put down 280 horsepower, but top-tier Turbo S models make a whopping 340 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, with it being a rear-biased system, which is another rarity in the segment. An eight-speed auto is standard across the board. Agility is the main strength of the CX-90, with it feeling far more athletic than you'd expect for a vehicle of its size. It isn't slow either, with Turbo S models capable of getting up to 60 miles per hour in as little as 6.3 seconds. Unfortunately, we have quite a few gripes as well, though. The suspension feels too stiff, the transmission feels indecisive and clunky at lower speeds, and somehow the six-cylinder engine sounds gruff and unappealing when pushed into higher rev ranges. Mazda does also offer a 323-horsepower plug-in hybrid model, but we review that separately. The interior features class above styling, though it is a little cramped Plush but not as versatile as you'd want a 3-row SUV to be Another clear area where the CX-90 stands out against its competition is luxury. Even just in terms of looks, the Mazda feels more at home next to luxury brands than it does mainstream ones. It isn't all aesthetics either, with every CX-90 coming really well-equipped for the price that you pay. However, its important third row feels quite cramped, and its infotainment system might frustrate some. Plush and good-looking, but not spacious enough Front row headroom 39.7 inches Front row legroom 41.7 inches Second row headroom 39.3 inches Second row legroom 39.4 inches Third row headroom 36.9 inches Third row legroom 30.4 inches Cargo capacity 14.9 cubic feet Depending on spec, the CX-90 seats between six and eight passengers. Most trims feature a three-person bench in the second row, but captain's chairs are optional. Top trims also feature a third row with two seats, while lower trims have a bench in the way-back as well. Regardless, the seating position in the third row is not comfortable, and adults will find it far too squished. Cargo space behind the third row is also unimpressive. It's worth noting that Mazda does sell a two-row version of their large SUV, the CX-70, though the deletion of the seats doesn't save you much money. There is a lot to love about the cabin of the CX-90, if its interior dimensions do happen to suit your needs. If it wasn't for the Mazda badge on the steering wheel, you'd think you were in a luxury SUV. Even the most affordable models will surprise you with nice materials throughout the cabin. Top trims even come with things like Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated first and second row seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. Infotainment and technology Credit: Mazda We love that the current generation of Mazdas make the infotainment screen feel like an accent rather than the focal point of the interior design. Base models feature a 10.25-inch screen, but higher trims come with a 12.3-inch unit instead. The infotainment system is primarily controlled via a rotary dial on the center console rather than using touch inputs, as Mazda says this helps to keep your eyes on the road. While we like this setup, some will have issue with the lack of touch controls when moving. Every model comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the base Select trim requires a wired connection. A seven-inch display sits in the middle of the gauge cluster in lower trims, but more expensive models feature a fully digital cluster. Other desirable features available in the lineup include a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The CX-90 comes tragically close to being a game-changer This review might come across as a little negative, but that is just because we see just how much potential the CX-90 has. Mazda set off to build a three-row SUV that could rival luxury brands for a fraction of the price, and they came so close to succeeding. The interior design is fantastic, handling is great, and it is priced really well for what it is. Unfortunately, a harsh ride, unrefined powertrain, cramped interior, and clunky controls hold it back from true greatness. Hopefully Mazda will work out these kinks if they take another crack at the segment.