Mazda CX-90

Design & Quality

I have never been a big fan of the interior of Mazda cars, not because I don’t like them. I say so because the brand always focuses on practicality and durability in mind, rather than style or attraction. And, the same is visible in the Mazda CX-90, which is pretty clear the moment you get in. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely the luxury elements, but the quality feels better, and so it can take the heat and sand, part of our daily life in KSA. Starting with the dashboard, it does feel good in terms of the design, and nicely occupies the entire front of the cockpit, then comes the 12.3-inch touchscreen, for most of the functions. I felt the seat was well cushioned, and there was durable material across the cabin. The tech that impressed me is the heads-up display, wireless charging, and, for superior entertainment, especially if you must, a standard 12-speaker Bose system feels delightful.

Front Seat

Besides being well-cushioned, nicely designed, the front seat has 10-way power adjustments with memory settings, a great convenience and mostly a standard on such an expensive SUV.  The seat is wrapped in Nappa leather that undoubtedly enhances comfort. Then I liked the cool thing about the steering, which is heated, love that comfort always, and also a lot of control on the steering as well, which isn’t unique at all, nonetheless quite useful to stay focused on your drive. I should also mention another feature, which is ventilated seats, that helps in summer.

Rear Seat

This is a three-row seat, and we already covered the front seat. And so, the second row seat is most vital for the SUV, because families and owners would spend a lot of time there. Mazda is known for its, and so you get sizable legroom and would not feel cramped. So, those long drivers feel pleasure with a good outside view due to the large windows and a lot of controls. Dedicated rear vents, USB ports, etc. By the way, as far as the second seat goes, you can have a captain's chair, which is optional,  as an option for more comfort. The last row, though, isn’t for adults; it looks small and so may be cramped for grown-ups, but kids can manage with ease.

Electronic Parking Brake

There is nothing special to write about the electronic parking brake, which is now a standard across most cars. IT works as an auto-hold, placed at the console, which helps in parking on slopes or in traffic. A must-have feature, and that is the reason it is now a standard, you just need it during certain times for your driver, and not to mention for a car of this size, a big safety element. aspect.

AC Vents

Another standard, must-have aspect of any modern car today. Mazda, in this SUV, offers you a standard tri-zone climate control with rear vents. And, we believe this AC is just fine, is powerful, and so the cabin stays cool, with hardly any issues. Another usual feature is voice controls, an extra comfort of access..

Storage Options

One of the big practicalities of any cabin is usability, like space, comfort, and equally important is the storage around the cabin. In this SUV, you have those usual storage spaces, one big glovebox, console, and each door with bottle holders, and one extra area is under-floor space. Nothing extraordinary, but certainly a functional cabin from a storage point of view.  

Armrest

You get front and second-row armrests with cupholders, another extra comfort, if used. You can slide the front armrest to create some space for your laptop, if you wish to work or also a tablet or mobile for any kind of work.

Charging Options

Like the buyer expects, and every car these days offers as standard, you get a USB-A, USB-C, and a 12V socket, which takes care of your charging needs on the go.

Boot Space

The size of the boot is 340 litres when all three rows are standing, and if you wish to expand, it can go up to 1500 litres of seats folded. This is just fine for everyday use, and even most of the family trips for extra space. There are tie-downs and a retractable cover that secure cargo, and you get the comfort of not messing around with the loads after shopping or a long trip.

• 6 airbags
• ABS with EBD
• Parking Assist 

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• TPMS
• ISOFIX
• Smart brake support

With this SUV, you’re getting what is currently high in demand when it comes to the overall look and feel. The CX-90’s exterior has this combination of rugged body and also modern design cues that are always identified with an SUV. When it comes to its size, the height is 1780 mm, which makes it taller, the length of 5,100 mm, while 1,900 mm width and a suitable wheelbase of 3,000 mm.

If you look at these dimensions in particular terms, the SUV looks huge on the road. On the body, you get those usual effects like sleek lines and chrome accents for some fanciness, and roof rails and a power liftgate that make it more practical.

Front

At the front, what is noticeable is the well-designed, strong-looking, flanked by chrome strips; the sharp LED headlights are nicely designed for more style. Then come the fog lamps and air vents, adding some design elements other than their utility of engine cooling. Additionally, the sculpted hood and integrated daytime running lights enhance appearance as well as take care of higher safety. The usual logo is well-placed, prominent on the grille. Mazda engineers have done a great job in fitting the front camera housing, which nicely integrates, and the bumper’s skid plate protects against light off-road scrapes. There is an invisible sensor array, which essentially makes your job easy when parking. Furthermore, the grille’s dynamic shutters improve airflow, and the LED turn signal appears quite bright when blinked. The hood’s insulation significantly reduces engine noise, and the fog lamps come into play when you need them during cornering. Lastly, the chrome-trimmed fog lamp frames are quite pretty and the stylish headlight clusters provide a wide beam.

Side

Defining the side of the CX-90 is somewhat easy, nothing much complicated. Like the flowing lines and 20-inch alloys, with chrome window trim are the key elements that make it look high-end SUV.  What you also see are the sculpted door panels, which are visually appealing and improve aerodynamics for better air flow. I think this is a smart way of designing this SUV’s exterior. Mazda has done a great job here.

Alloy Wheels

Mazda is offering standard 20-inch alloys with 255/50R20 tires sizes, there isn’t much choice across variants. But these alloys give an impression of good look and also high-quality build. A few things to mention here are the better grip, durability, silver finish that resists corrosion, and the tires’ tread pattern is impressive.

Rear

Move to the back of the SUV, and you feel the design is unified, front to rear. Nothing that indicates a mismatch, rather the rear complements better with the overall shiny design elements. There are stylish LED taillights and a power liftgate, and a standard spoiler for sportiness. The tailgate has chrome to make it look better, and lastly, the dual exhaust tips make you believe in the mighty SUV. The rear diffuser is helpful in better airflow, while the high-mounted stop lamp allows visibility.

Colors

When it comes to choosing your favourite colour, the CX-90 is available in Jet Black, Snowflake White Pearl, Polymetal Grey, Soul Red Crystal, and Machine Grey

City Performance

The city driving impressions are mostly from my time with the CX-90 in Riyadh, and it looks like it is perfect for city driving. The reasons are pretty simple: smooth delivery of solid 345hp of power makes navigating traffic super cool. This looks even simpler through the efficiency and seamless 8-speed automatic. The closer turning radius for parking isn’t a problem, and you can get help from a 360-degree camera, and the cabin, which is quiet for most part, and driving is honestly a lot effortless, don’ t feel at all complicated. Even though it is a bigger SUV, you don’t feel a problem, but this isn’t the case in some narrow lanes. The sport mode is a real differentiator for quick moves, and sometimes you need that torque to zip through the traffic. There are some small issues here and there, but not major issues during my considerable city drive. 

Highway Performance

On KSA highways, the CX-90 could be your powerful and capable SUV, and I say that for two reasons: the high power and speed, which it hits 200 km/h in less than 7 seconds. And, at highway drives, you need that 450 Nm torque for easy climbs or overtaking at certain stretches, and you get plenty of that raw power. Mostly, easy driving, but occasionally I did feel slight lag, not able to figure it out though, maybe due to the load, I guess.  I need to mention here that the design and high ground are positive elements that help highway drivers.

Ride and Handling

By and large, our perspective over the years has been cemented by the fact that Mazda cars are fine to handle and ride. And, when you take an expensive, bigger signature SUV like the CX-90, it has all that we know the brand for, and it is easy and comfortable to say the least. The SUV has a four-wheel independent suspension setup, at the front is the MacPherson struts with control arms, while at the rear is a multi-link design. The handling should be attributed to all-wheel drive and 200 mm ground clearance,  something we all adore SUVs for easily taking on potholes, bumps or uneven roads. The steering is light, and accuracy isn’t something to complain about. Lastly, the off-road mode is a good addition for assured driving on sand, and for the most part, the cabin is silent, thanks to excellent NVH. 

• 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• Analog instrument cluster with clear display

• Nappa leather seats
• Tri-zone AC

• 12-speaker Bose audio

• Keyless entry
• 360-degree camera
• Drive modes (Normal, Sport, Off-Road)

• Ambient lighting
• Heated/ventilated seats
• Power liftgate

Core

Starting at SAR 149,500, the Core variant is a good bargain for an SUV of this size. The powertrain is the same, so nothing changes there, only missing some features. However, there is AWD, a tri-zone AC, a 12.3-inch screen and some other features.

High

This can be considered as middle range, starting at SAR 178,250, and the High get some additional features like ventilated seats, a 360-camera, high-end audio and better comfort.

High Plus

With a considerable price bump, the High Plus, the top-end variant, starts at SAR 195,500. This price gives you everything to define your true SUV ownership experience.

Sayarabay Recommendation: Our choice is the High (SAR 178,250), without paying too much money, you get a decently loaded SUV, with a combination of performance, a reasonable set of features for safety, comfort and convenience. All of this without compromising the delightful driving experience.

It is hard to say that CX-90 overtakes its storied rivals in the segment, that will be an overstatement because the rivals are indeed fierce, well-established and proven. However, this SUV is a compelling choice for anyone in the market right now for a three-row SUV for personal and family needs.

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