This Midsize SUV Feels Like It Belongs In A Higher Price Class

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Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 02:00 0 5 autotech

There is a huge debate currently about what should be considered luxury anymore. Moreover, nearly all mainstream midsize three-row SUVs have moved into a more premium bracket than a standard penalty box. They come with luxury-style features that would rival even a Lexus, Cadillac, and the like. Often, if the standard brand has a luxury counterpart, the top-of-the-line trim has more features than the base luxury version.

The Midsize SUV Going Above And Beyond

Front 3/4 shot of 2026 Ford Explorer ST in red parked off-road

Ford

While most, if not all, automakers have gone upmarket with their top-of-the-line standard vehicles, what they haven’t gone upmarket with necessarily are the powertrains that come with them. At this point, this is what mainly separates standard vehicles from luxury ones—i.e., more powerful engines, not to mention more luxurious design language.

Where The Standard Segment Leaves Money On The Table

It’s clear that larger three-row SUVs aren’t going anywhere. As of the writing of this article, Audi just came out with an all-new Q9 that is set to knock out the likes of the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS. Of course, these luxury titans have an asking price starting at around $60–$70,000, depending on what you’re getting.

Probably the most attainable version is going to be the Genesis GV80, which starts at $58,850. Again, these are just the starting prices, and even the GV80 has an asking price of $84,100 if you want the more powerful V6 with all the bells and whistles. Therefore, there’s a huge gap to be had if you’re not allergic to a standard badge. So which non-luxury SUV actually delivers on all three fronts — powertrain, interior, and price? The answer might surprise you.

The “Luxury-Lite” Feel That’s Been Missing

To revisit the point, when more of these midsize SUVs hit the market in the early 2010s, they were considered to be more penalty boxes than comfortable vehicles. To even get any sort of features, you had to pay for the more premium versions, but even then the more premium features were saved for the luxury versions. Now it’s the complete opposite. The brand that finally cracked the code isn’t German, isn’t Swedish, and doesn’t carry a luxury badge — and its newest three-row has a powertrain that would embarrass some six-figure SUVs.

The Mazda CX-90, A Cut Above

The Mazda CX-90 debuted on the market on January 31, 2023. It ended up replacing the long-standing Mazda CX-9, and filled a much-needed gap in this segment for the long-venerated Japanese automaker.

The Mazda CX-90 is based on an all-new large platform that features a front-engine, rear-wheel-bias longitudinal layout. This is a similar, if not identical, layout to luxury German cars like the BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Therefore, it features the same smooth, confident, and robust ride that you come to expect from a luxury automobile.

There’s also a wide variety of CX-90s to be had. In total, there are nine different ways that the CX-90 can be served up. There are two versions of an in-line six-cylinder engine and a plug-in hybrid variant that not a lot of competitors offer. As with all of Mazda’s SUVs, it also comes standard with all-wheel drive, featuring an eight-speed automatic transmission, and has a price range from $39,300 to $57,570.

The 3.3-Liter Inline-Six With M-Hybrid Tech That Makes This Feel Like A German Luxury Car

These are some pretty special engines. Mazda is well known for its turbocharged 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder engines, but the 3.3-liter turbocharged in-line six is not only much needed for the brand but also delivers the same reliability that the four-cylinder can and more.

The turbocharged six-cylinder features a 48 V M-hybrid boost system that outputs 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The turbo S version outputs 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The mild hybrid is so refined that it turns off the engine while gliding to a stop, as well as smoothly turning it back on when the light turns green. Fuel efficiency is combined at 25 miles per gallon, according to Kelley Blue Book.

The CX-90 PHEV Undercuts The Audi Q7 While Offering 26 Miles Of EV Range

Rear shot of 2025 Mazda CX-90 parked on driveway

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are something special, and the CX-90’s new partially electric powertrain isn’t any different. It’s the first ever Mazda to feature this kind of powertrain and is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor that’s attached to a 17.8 kilowatt-hour battery pack. This allows the driver to have 26 miles of EV range.

Even more impressive is that the PHEV can be had for between $50,695—$58,700, which is $5,000 less than the base price of the Audi Q7. One thing you do give up is towing capacity, as it only tows 3,500 pounds compared to the in-line six’s 5,000 pounds.

Napa Leather, Maplewood Trim, And Zero Panel Gaps: The Interior That Embarrasses Rivals

2026 Mazda CX-90 interior view drivers side

The interior features a Mazda premium experience like no other. While the rest of their lineup has benefited from more premium interior features like the Mazda CX-30 Aero’s suede-style dashboard, the CX-90’s interior is unparalleled. It features black, greige, and white that are equal parts luxurious and form-fitting for the sporty nature of the car.

It also features genuine Maplewood trimming and a satin finish. The Premium Plus features Napa leather seats and a 360-degree camera. The top-of-the-line trim features a two-tone leather steering wheel. The gorgeous stitching, premium chrome inserts, and lack of panel gaps really help finish off the luxury nature of this interior.

How The Rear-Wheel-Bias Platform Delivers A BMW-Like Drive (With One Caveat)

Rear 3/4 action shot of 2026 Mazda CX-90 driving on road

Mazda’s old marketing slogan used to be “Zoom Zoom.” While the current slogan is “move and be moved,” it almost feels like this rear wheel-biased longitudinal architecture was more made for the original slogan. This kind of architecture for the 2026 CX-90 was made to deliver unparalleled performance, and even though it’s all-wheel drive, it is rear-wheel-drive biased. Some outlets have noted that the transmission can be a bit clunky at times but that the engine itself is silky smooth and sounds great.

Luxury-Class Feel, Standard Sticker

The Mazda CX-90 proves that you’re able to achieve luxury looks and feels without a luxury price tag. Of course, it is near a luxury price tag from a base-model luxury car perspective, but you get features that are much more expensive later on. The oversized front grille, chrome accents, and top-of-the-line 21-inch wheels help propel this into a much nicer fit and finish.

If we are not speaking about the PHEV, the regular gas-powered Turbo Select starts at an easily palatable $39,300. The top-of-the-line Turbo S Premium Plus plateaus at $57,570. Somewhere in the middle is the Premium Plus, which lands at $50,270 and more than likely comes with the features that you would want, like ventilated second-row seats and a 360-degree camera.

Why The CX-90 Beats The Highlander And Pilot In IIHS Safety — And What To Know About Reliability

Close-up shot of 2026 Mazda CX-90 center console

Not only does the Mazda CX-90 look good and drive well, but it is also considerably safe. According to IIHS, the 2026 model has earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating. It also features good ratings in all the major crashworthiness categories. Meanwhile, the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have both scored marginal and acceptable, respectively.

Mazda in general has earned the top safety pick+ award more times over the past three years than any other automaker currently. When it comes to reliability, however, it’s a bit of a different story. JD Power gave it an average score of 70 out of 100 for quality and reliability, but overall it received a 76.

There’ve also been some recalls that pertain to the power steering, camera display, and instrument cluster. Those, of course, can be solved by the dealership and with software updates. At the end of the day, no car is perfect but the CX-90 gets pretty close.