If you’re in the market for a family SUV that blends comfort, performance, practicality, and cutting-edge technology, look no further than the Mazda CX-90. We put it to the test on a major cross-country road trip — from Dallas to Los Angeles, onward to Las Vegas, and up through the Grand Canyon — with two grown kids in tow, including a 6-foot-plus teenager. Over 2,000 miles of highways, deserts, cities, and mountains gave us the perfect opportunity to see how the CX-90 holds up. Spoiler alert: it delivered — and then some.
Whether you’re considering a road trip warrior, an everyday family hauler, or a luxurious SUV that doesn’t come with a luxury badge price, the CX-90 checks all the boxes. Here’s our full review and why we think this might just be the perfect family SUV.
🚗 First Impressions: Bold Stance, Elegant Design
The Mazda CX-90 has serious road presence. Its wide stance, muscular lines, and elevated ground clearance give it a confident, athletic look — more refined than rugged, yet fully capable. It feels premium from the get-go, whether you’re pulling up to a campsite or a five-star hotel.
The higher ground clearance made a big difference on uneven or unpredictable terrain, especially when navigating winding roads in Flagstaff, or gravel paths near the Grand Canyon. This is a vehicle that’s clearly designed to handle diverse conditions without sacrificing style.
⚙️ Performance: Power Meets Precision
Under the hood, the CX-90 comes equipped with a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine, delivering up to 340 horsepower (with premium fuel) and 369 lb-ft of torque. That kind of power makes a difference when you’re overtaking semis at highway speeds, climbing through mountain passes, or cruising through wide-open desert roads.
The 8-speed automatic transmission is tuned for smooth, seamless shifts. There’s no jerking or hesitation — just effortless acceleration and a truly refined ride.
💥 Sport Mode: A Touch of Thrill
Switch to Sport Mode, and the CX-90 sharpens its throttle response and holds gears longer, adding a sportier edge to your drive. Whether merging onto busy highways or navigating winding desert roads, the CX-90 proves that family vehicles can be fun, too.
🛻 Towing Capability: Haul What Matters
Need to bring along extra gear, bikes, or even a small camper? The Mazda CX-90 offers an impressive tow capacity of up to 5,000 lbs, putting it squarely in competition with larger SUVs and crossovers. That means you’re covered for trailers, boats, or weekend getaways with all the toys in tow.
🌧️ All-Wheel Drive Confidence in Any Weather
From rain near Wichita Falls, to snow in Flagstaff, and dust storms in Nevada, the i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive system was a game-changer. It constantly monitors road conditions and adjusts torque to each wheel for maximum grip and stability. Paired with traction and stability control, the CX-90 handled even harsh weather with ease.
This kind of confidence makes a huge difference when you’re driving with your family, knowing the vehicle has your back no matter what’s thrown at it.
🧠 Driver Assistance & Safety: Smart and Stress-Free
Long road trips were made infinitely easier thanks to Mazda’s i-Activsense suite of safety features:
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go: Maintained a safe distance and handled traffic seamlessly — especially helpful in L.A. traffic.
- Lane Keep Assist & Lane Departure Warning: Provided gentle corrections to keep us centered, especially during long, monotonous stretches.
- Blind Spot Monitoring: Critical for highway lane changes, especially with crosswinds or in heavy traffic.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert & Parking Sensors: Took the stress out of city parking and tight hotel driveways.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Interior: Built for Long-Haul Comfort
🔌 Connectivity & Convenience
- Wireless Charging Pad: Kept devices powered without cable clutter.
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto: Integrated smoothly into the infotainment system — perfect for music, GPS, and voice commands.
- USB-A & USB-C Ports: Available in all rows so everyone can stay charged.
🪑 Comfortable Seating for All (Well, Almost)
- Second-Row Captain’s Chairs (in our model) offered tons of space for our teenagers.
- Heated Front Seats and available ventilated options kept the driver and passenger perfectly comfortable.
- The third row, while available, is best suited for kids or short trips — it’s tight for taller passengers (our 6-foot teen can confirm).
📦 Cargo Space: Room for All the Essentials
With the third row folded flat, the CX-90 had more than enough room for:
- Four full-size suitcases
- A large cooler
- Camping gear
- Snacks, games, and random road trip extras
Even fully packed, the rear cargo area was accessible and easy to organize. For a family trip or a Costco run, it’s more than capable.
🛢️ Fuel Efficiency: Balanced for a Big SUV
On our trip, the CX-90 averaged 22–24 MPG on the highway — solid numbers for a 3-row SUV with AWD and a turbocharged engine. Combined with a large fuel tank, we went long stretches without needing to stop, a major plus in rural areas like western Texas or central Arizona.
🔇 Quiet Cabin & Refined Ride
Mazda’s attention to detail shows in how quiet the cabin is. Even at 80 mph across open highways, we could hold conversations, listen to music, or enjoy silence without wind or road noise intruding. Paired with premium materials like Nappa leather, soft-touch panels, and clean interior design, the CX-90 feels more luxurious than its price tag suggests.
🏁 Final Verdict: The Ultimate Road Trip and Family SUV
The Mazda CX-90 impressed us in every way that matters — and then went beyond. It’s powerful yet refined, rugged yet elegant, high-tech yet intuitive. It balances family practicality with driver engagement, and offers peace of mind through safety, comfort, and capability.
Whether you’re a growing family needing space, an adventurer looking to tow and travel, or someone who just wants an SUV that feels like a luxury car without the luxury price tag — the CX-90 delivers.
⭐ Why the Mazda CX-90 Should Be Your Next SUV:
- Up to 340 hp and 5,000 lb towing capacity
- Spacious second-row seating + flexible cargo options
- All-wheel drive for any road condition
- Smooth 8-speed transmission with Sport Mode
- Loaded with modern tech and safety features
- Excellent ride comfort for long trips
- Stylish, luxurious design inside and out
Ready to upgrade your family ride? Test drive the Mazda CX-90 — because your family deserves more than just another SUV. They deserve one that feels like a first-class journey every time you hit the road
