Reviews
2026 Mazda CX90 Touring
Price
Starting at $67,000 (excl. on road costs)
3 Things We Love
* The Unconventional Inline-Six Choices * A Playful Rear-Biased AWD System * Perfectly Weighted, Engaging Steering
3 Things We Hate
* The "Russian Doll" Design Language * The Passenger Apple CarPlay Lockout * A Surprisingly Shallow Centre Console
Intro
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 G50e Touring sits at the top of Mazda’s SUV family as its flagship large SUV. This Touring grade is the base model in the range, but with a sharp price reduction bringing it to just under $67,000 drive-away, it now makes a much stronger value argument. The CX-90 does not try to chase the same screen-heavy, futuristic approach as some newer rivals. Instead, it leans into Mazda’s more traditional luxury formula: a big inline-six engine, rear-biased all-wheel drive, a well-built interior, and conservative styling that feels more elegant than flashy. Under the bonnet is a 3.3-litre inline-six turbo petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. It produces 254 kW and 500 Nm, sends power through an 8-speed automatic transmission, and drives all four wheels through a rear-biased AWD setup. For a large seven-seat SUV weighing around 2.2 tonnes, a 0–100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds is properly impressive.
Exterior
The CX-90 follows the same design language as Mazda’s other large SUVs, but its sheer size gives it a stronger presence on the road. At over five metres long, almost two metres wide, and just over 1.7 metres tall, this is a seriously large family SUV. The design itself is conservative, but that works in its favour. It does not scream for attention, yet it still feels bold, elegant, and premium. Up front, the CX-90 gets LED headlights, a large chrome grille, gloss black detailing, and a big Mazda badge that gives the front end a confident look. Along the side, the long bonnet, black wheel-arch cladding, 19-inch alloy wheels, and inline-six badging give it a more traditional luxury SUV stance. At the rear, the design tapers neatly, with LED tail-lights, CX-90 badging, all-wheel-drive badging, and e-Skyactiv branding. There is no fake diffuser, which helps keep the rear end clean and mature. Overall, the CX-90 is not trying to be wild or futuristic. It looks restrained, premium, and nicely proportioned, with enough presence to suit its flagship position.
Salvatore Gerace
MotorMarvel Journalist
Interior
Inside, the CX-90 Touring feels familiar if you have been in Mazda’s other large SUVs, but that is not a bad thing. The layout is well built, solid, and premium, with soft-touch materials across the dashboard, doors, and armrest areas. The cabin has an old-school European feel, especially through the dashboard design and the way Mazda has kept physical controls for important functions. The climate controls are separate from the infotainment screen, which makes them much easier to use while driving. The overall design may feel a little dated compared with newer rivals, but it works well and feels properly functional. Because this is the Touring grade, it uses a 10.25-inch infotainment display operated through Mazda’s rotary controller. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and the system is clear and easy to use once you are familiar with the controller. The driver display combines digital information with physical-style dials, which adds to the old-school charm. Practicality up front is strong. There are two cup holders, a wireless phone charger, a 12-volt socket, USB-C charging in the centre console, decent door bins, a good glovebox, and a sunglass holder. The centre console is a little shallow, but overall storage is good for a large family SUV. The second row is spacious, with plenty of knee room, good headroom, sliding and reclining seats, and enough width to make three adults realistic. There are ISOFIX points on the outer seats, top tether points, integrated blinds, rear climate controls, USB-C charging, seatback pockets, door bins, and a centre armrest with cup holders. The third row is more suitable for kids than adults. Access is easy enough using the second-row release button, and passengers get cup holders, USB-C charging, and air vents, but adult foot room is tight. For short trips it is usable, but for long journeys, adults will want to stay in the first two rows. Boot space is impressive. With the third row up, there is 450 litres available. Folding the third row increases capacity to just over 1,000 litres, while folding the second and third rows opens up just over 2,000 litres. The Touring also includes an electronic tailgate, which is a welcome feature on a base-model large SUV.
Specifications
Engine
3.3-litre inline-six turbo petrol mild hybrid
Power
254 kW
Torque
500 Nm
0 - 100 kph
6.9 seconds
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Drive Type
All-wheel drive with rear-wheel-drive bias
Fuel Economy (Claimed)
8.2 L/100 km
Fuel Economy (As Tested)
Just over 9 L/100 km
CO2 Emissions (Claimed)
189 g/km
Fuel Tank
74 L
Weight
2,190 kg
Vehicle Dimensions
Length
5,120 mm
Width
1,994 mm
Height
1,745 mm
Wheelbase
3,120 mm
On the Road
On the road, the CX-90 immediately feels different from many mainstream seven-seat SUVs. Rather than using a small engine and front-biased platform, it has a big inline-six turbo engine up front and a rear-biased all-wheel-drive setup underneath. That gives it a more premium, more engaging character. The 3.3-litre inline-six turbo petrol engine is the highlight. It delivers strong performance, plenty of power for overtaking, and a muscular induction note that gives the CX-90 more personality than expected from a large family SUV. It is not trying to be a sports SUV, but the engine makes it feel more special than many rivals. The rear-biased all-wheel-drive system also helps the CX-90 feel more planted and composed. It does not suffer from the same heavy front-end feeling or excessive understeer that some large SUVs can have. There is some body roll when pushed, but for something this big, it handles itself well. Ride comfort is on the firmer side compared with some competitors, but it is not harsh. The seats are comfortable, the cabin is quiet, and visibility is good for such a large vehicle. Day to day, it feels easy enough to live with despite its size. Fuel economy is better than expected for a large petrol inline-six SUV. Real-world use sits just over 9 L/100 km, which is impressive given the size, weight, and performance on offer. The biggest weakness is the gearbox. Around town, the 8-speed automatic is acceptable, but when you ask more from the car, there is a noticeable delay in throttle response and gear changes. The engine feels charismatic and eager, but the gearbox does not always match that energy. In Sport mode, it becomes sharper, but it still lacks the engagement and polish of the best transmissions in the segment. As a driver’s SUV, the CX-90 is more interesting than expected. The steering is well weighted, the engine has character, the rear-biased AWD system gives it balance, and it feels more engaging than many large family SUVs. The brakes require a firm press when driven harder, but overall, the CX-90 has enough personality to earn its Motor Marvel rating.
Safety Tech
The CX-90 Touring comes with a strong safety package as standard. Equipment includes a 360-degree view monitor, blind spot monitoring with vehicle exit warning, driver attention alert, driver monitoring, dynamic stability control, emergency lane keeping with road keep assist and blind spot assist, forward obstruction warning, front cross traffic alert, high beam control, hill descent control, hill launch assist, lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, reverse camera, smart brake support with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear smart brake support, rear crossing smart brake support, turn-across traffic support, traffic sign recognition, and tyre pressure monitoring. That is a strong list for a base-model large SUV, and it helps the CX-90 feel well equipped even before stepping up to higher grades. The inclusion of a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert is especially useful in a vehicle this large. Warranty coverage includes five years warranty, five years roadside assistance, and five years of capped-price servicing. Servicing is once a year, but the cost is high at $643 per service.
Our Verdict
The Mazda CX-90 G50e Touring is not the newest-feeling or flashiest large SUV in the segment, but that is also part of its appeal. While some rivals chase enormous screens, futuristic interiors, smaller engines, and more complex hybrid systems, the CX-90 takes a more traditional approach. It has a conservative but elegant design, a premium and well-built cabin, proper family practicality, and a big 3.3-litre inline-six turbo petrol engine that gives it real character. For buyers who still enjoy engines with personality, the CX-90 feels refreshing. It is not perfect. The gearbox does not match the engine’s charisma, the ride is a little firm, the third row is best suited to kids, and the interior may feel a bit old-fashioned compared with newer rivals. But the fundamentals are strong, and the base Touring grade now makes a much stronger case thanks to its value. For someone who wants a large family SUV that flies under the radar, feels premium, and offers a more engaging driving experience than the usual mainstream options, the CX-90 G50e Touring deserves to be high on the shortlist.
Overall Rating
