Mazda is Australia’s second biggest retailer of cars, SUVs, and commercial vehicles like utes and vans, hoorah!

Like the rest of the Japanese car-makers, Mazda talks a lot about “electrification” but is a little short on action. Their first pure EV offering was the unloved MX-30 EV. It was short on range, and long on price, selling less than 2,500 units in its 3-year run. MX-30, CX-8 and CX-9 are to be consigned to history.

After adding upcoming models, SUV range will be CX-3, CX-30, CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90, while the car range, Mazda2, Mazda3, and Mazda6 remains unchanged.

The CX-90

CX-90 is a little larger than the CX-9 it (indirectly) replaces. After Mazda buyers abandoned entry level trims, the resulting “premiumisation” raised prices, and according to Mazda, standards.

Is the product any better?

I loved the CX-9. It was properly posh with a hint of ye olde worlde charm, had all the latest gadgets, and felt calm and serene to drive. It’s one failing was the geriatric 6-speed automatic that made it thirstier than it needed to be.

Video Review: 2023 Mazda CX-90 Azami Takumi – Luxury, but…… FULL REVIEW

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ABOVE: All-new Mazda CX-90 (overseas model shown)

CX-90 fixed the transmission issue, or did it?

In a way.

CX-90 range has 3 models, Touring, GT, Azami, with Azami also having 2 option packs (Takumi and SP, both $5,000). There are 2 engine choices, a 3.3L diesel or 3.3L petrol. Both are “in-line”, meaning all the cylinders are in a single line, instead of a V6 with 2 banks of 3 cylinders. Both are turbocharged, fitted and with 8-speed automatics and AWD.

But wait, there’s more.

Both are mild hybrids, a term that allows car makers use the term, electrification”. Although hybrid, mild hybrid, and plug in hybrid have a part electric drive, they still burn fossil fuels. Our petrol powered CX-90 Azumi scored a respectable 8.8L/100k, but emits 189grams of CO2 for every kilometre driven.

Consider this: trips of 10 kms = 1.89kg, 100 kms = 18.9kg, and a 1,000 roadtrip emits 189kg of CO2. Despite the claims of a former idiot Prime Minister, CO2 does have a measurable weight.

The 8-speed automatic is incredibly smooth once underway, and the 3.3 petrol engine has a lovely rasp to it, reminiscent of sporting events of days gone by, but…..

Looks: Is New Mazda CX-90 a CX-9 with a Zero at the end?

Although CX-90 is a little bigger, the average punter would have a hard time picking the difference unless they were right next to each other.

Mazda adopted a deliciously smooth and slinky look for its small cars that causes playful shadows as the car moves through the day. The effect is somewhat lost on larger models, with vast areas of subtly contoured metalwork casting far fewer shadows.

It eschews the boxy look Range Rover, Land Rover and Kia now uses, but does it work? There is very little adornment, so the exterior, though classy, needs more chrome please.

Yes, it is a CX-9 revisited.

Is the cabin luxurious?

CX-90 Azumi gets the lot, and the Takumi package adds even tastier treats.

  • Takumi package
    • Pure White nappa leather seat trim
    • Bright decoration panel
    • Cloth dashboard panel with Kakenui stitching
    • White maple wood console and door trim inserts
    • Second-row captain’s seats with ventilation
    • Second-row centre console with storage

Highlights include:

  • comfortable power seats with memory, but no massage.
  • 3” Digital driver instruments and infotainment screens
  • Heated/cooled front and 2nd row seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Full length glass roof with opening front section
  • 3 zone climate control
  • Wireless CarPlay

There are so many more, so download a brochure HERE: cx-90-digital-brochure

We had a spot of trouble connecting the wireless CarPlay. A fresh start next day saw the system accept the phone and connect wireless CarPlay. In fact, the connection was the quickest I’ve experienced.

The infotainment system lacks a touch display, making the settings menus and Apple CarPlay difficult to fettle. Adding to the drama, Mazda has a habit of locking users out of certain functions once the brake is released.

The Feel of the Cabin

CX-90 has a different feel to its predecessor, even with the $5000 Takumi woodgrain and dash treatment. The dash/door fabric is a mottled white affair stitched with delightful 3D zig-zag effect. As beautiful as the hand stitching is, it would be easily damaged and hard to fix. Kids would delight in getting at it with their grubby little fingers.

Cabin ambience is calm, relaxed, and yes, luxurious. The pale wood and white leather are Scandi-esque in a mid-century modern kind of way. It is even more tempting at night, with subtle ambient lighting casting comforting glows.

The dash has side vents surrounded by a metal garnish that then continues along the front door. The 50’s American Diner effect is quite lovely, and retro is in, so it is a win for me.

There is a 3rd row that, despite the hefty exterior, is a space for littluns. The 2nd row moves to access the 3rd row, but it is not something men of a certain age should try, gay or not. Onlookers told me that gays are benders, but I beg to differ.

The 2nd row is capacious, but there is no Limo Mode that extends a pouffe and moves the front passenger seat forward. I love a Pouffé.

Front passengers feel dead posh, but no matter how many times I pressed buttons, I could not save my seat position. The ride height is perfect, and the electrically adjusted steering wheel offers plenty of scope.

There is no digital rearview mirror, which for this price, seems a bit mean.

What is CX-90 like to drive?

Is CX-90 tuned for an American market?

The steering seemed to have a lot of turns lock to lock at parking speeds, and no feel at higher speeds.

On smooth roads, the ride was sublime, but a little too firm on neglected sections of tarmac. As well as Sport and Normal drive modes, Off-Road tempts patrons to dine farther afield, but the AWD system is intended for tamer tracks.

There is a 3600 camera for parking and close quarter manoeuvring, something made more difficult by the awful gear lever.  The inverse L shifts side to side between R and P, and R, N, D, forward and back. What a stupid idea.

Then there is the transmission, something that should be fabulous.

Even with the stop/start off, there is a hesitation from the 254kw/500Nm engine. Town driving elicits strange shudders, bumps, and hesitations from the nether regions. CX-90 is almost impossible to drive smoothly at city speeds. As we said, our week of city a frewway driving returned a decent 8.8L/100k, not far off the official figures, and excellent for a beast this size.

For some inexplicable reason, Mazda eliminated the torque converter which would have smoothed out the misdemeanours. An electric clutch disengages the transmission from the drive unit to allow the engine to run at idle when not in Park. Is it this clutch that has made the low-speed experience so hesitant?

CX-90 has a slightly remote and aloof feel that is too far removed from the road feel to be a driver’s car.

The Wrap up

The on-the-road price of our CX-90 Azami is around $110,588 (in NSW) according to Mazda’s calculator.

In that price range there is a cornucopia of SUV offerings, including premium brands. Toyota and Nissan have similarly sized SUVs, with Hyundai’s Palisade also in the mix. For a few more dollars, a Kia EV9 can be had, and there are smaller electric SUVs to consider.

CX-90 must be smoother to drive. The lack of a touch screen is annoying, and that gear shifter has got to go.

Mazda sold 100,008 vehicles last year, 6,318 of those in January. January 2024 saw 5,343 vehicles moved, a drop of 15.4% (source: VFACTS January 2024). Is the drop a supply issue or a lack of customer issue?

CX-9 was a personal favourite, but sadly, I cannot say the same about CX-90.

Price: CX-90 Azami $95,185

Engine: 3.3L turbo petrol

Power: 254kw/500Nm

Trans: 8-speed automatic with no torque converter

Econ: 8.2L/100k

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