Topic: 8-Vehicle 3-Row SUV Comparison - Mazda CX-90 v. (nearly) Everyone

[Jaeger]

Mike, Jeff, everyone - really well done.   

https://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/best-3-row-suv-new-mazda-cx-90-vs-7-rivals?fbclid=IwAR3vx-yLDEIO6iau47MkvB8l6PuobONTgKkTMh5oGyAtlXa33zL2U318-ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO4uoepaZfM

[sailor723]

Mike, Jeff, everyone - really well done.   

https://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/best-3-row-suv-new-mazda-cx-90-vs-7-rivals?fbclid=IwAR3vx-yLDEIO6iau47MkvB8l6PuobONTgKkTMh5oGyAtlXa33zL2U318-ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO4uoepaZfM

The more I read about the CX-90 the more I'm looking forward to the 70 when it comes. The criticism about the tech isn't an issue for me at all. After 6+ years with the X5 I'm more than comfortable with a rotary controller. What I do love is the idea of RWD bias and a straight six. 

[PJungnitsch]

Mike, Jeff, everyone - really well done.   

https://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/best-3-row-suv-new-mazda-cx-90-vs-7-rivals?fbclid=IwAR3vx-yLDEIO6iau47MkvB8l6PuobONTgKkTMh5oGyAtlXa33zL2U318-ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO4uoepaZfM

The more I read about the CX-90 the more I'm looking forward to the 70 when it comes. The criticism about the tech isn't an issue for me at all. After 6+ years with the X5 I'm more than comfortable with a rotary controller. What I do love is the idea of RWD bias and a straight six. 

Now that you mention it, Mazda is really going in a BMW direction with these

[Jaeger]

Mike, Jeff, everyone - really well done.   

https://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/best-3-row-suv-new-mazda-cx-90-vs-7-rivals?fbclid=IwAR3vx-yLDEIO6iau47MkvB8l6PuobONTgKkTMh5oGyAtlXa33zL2U318-ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO4uoepaZfM

The more I read about the CX-90 the more I'm looking forward to the 70 when it comes. The criticism about the tech isn't an issue for me at all. After 6+ years with the X5 I'm more than comfortable with a rotary controller. What I do love is the idea of RWD bias and a straight six. 

Agreed.

[OliverD]

Mike, Jeff, everyone - really well done.   

https://www.autoguide.com/car-comparisons/best-3-row-suv-new-mazda-cx-90-vs-7-rivals?fbclid=IwAR3vx-yLDEIO6iau47MkvB8l6PuobONTgKkTMh5oGyAtlXa33zL2U318-ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO4uoepaZfM

The more I read about the CX-90 the more I'm looking forward to the 70 when it comes. The criticism about the tech isn't an issue for me at all. After 6+ years with the X5 I'm more than comfortable with a rotary controller. What I do love is the idea of RWD bias and a straight six. 

I don't quite get the tech complaints and the article doesn't go into detail.

But the CX-90 is still running Mazda’s current infotainment system. There might be a bigger screen, but the lack of customization and overall features hurts it. And there’s still no native, complete touch functionality, so passengers are shackled to the rotary dial

To me, the rotary dial is a positive thing. Customization... Meh. And what features are missing?

[ArticSteve]

ZIPPO technical descriptions regarding the AWD systems.  Some are slip and grip and some aren't.    

[rrocket]

ZIPPO technical descriptions regarding the AWD systems.  Some are slip and grip and some aren't.   

And every one will get 99 percent of the people where they need to go in wintry conditions.

Nothingburger.

[sailor723]

ZIPPO technical descriptions regarding the AWD systems.  Some are slip and grip and some aren't.   

Fair point........but,  OTOH I'm not sure how much that matters to the majority of buyers and how they will be using any of these vehicles.

I know the only  two times I've gotten truly stuck in the past 25 years I got high centered trying to blast through a drift on our deadend street. (Once in a '98 JGC and once in a ML350) Not sure anything other than a plow on the front or a lot more ground clearance would have helped. 

[rrocket]

ZIPPO technical descriptions regarding the AWD systems.  Some are slip and grip and some aren't.   

Fair point........but,  OTOH I'm not sure how much that matters to the majority of buyers and how they will be using any of these vehicles.

I know the only  two times I've gotten truly stuck in the past 25 years I got high centered trying to blast through a drift on our deadend street. (Once in a '98 JGC and once in a ML350) Not sure anything other than a plow on the front or a lot more ground clearance would have helped. 

Yep.

Lack of ground clearance is a far, far bigger issue.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Yeah, these are urban/highway cruisers, NOT off-road machines.

I can attest that Mazda's AWD system (at least their FWD-based awd system) is mildly predictive.  It's very unobtrusive, and you don't notice it working - it just grips when trying to accelerate from a stop sign or traffic light in the winter.  I have no reason to think that their RWD-based AWD system would be any different.

[sailor723]

It's interesting that Mazda seems to be trying to move themselves up market with these CX's. Sort of the mid ground between mainstream and luxury where Volvo and some VW's used to be.
I suppose it makes sense as their Amati luxury marque never launched way back when.

[OliverD]

It's interesting that Mazda seems to be trying to move themselves up market with these CX's. Sort of the mid ground between mainstream and luxury where Volvo and some VW's used to be.
I suppose it makes sense as their Amati luxury marque never launched way back when.

Mazda has kinda sorta been doing that for nearly 20 years. When the original 3 launched it was available with features that weren't common or flat out did not exist in that class (rain sensing wipers for example). Ever since then the 3's interior has been relatively upmarket for its class.

[JG20]

Been reading up and watching videos on the CX90. Sounds very promising. Usually 80% power sent to rear wheels, up to 50% can be sent to the front. Plus their version of brake based torque vectoring.

[sailor723]

Been reading up and watching videos on the CX90. Sounds very promising. Usually 80% power sent to rear wheels, up to 50% can be sent to the front. Plus their version of brake based torque vectoring.

I think my X5 is 60% rear bias. Certainly has a better driving "feel" than FWD slip and grip.

[sailor723]

It's interesting that Mazda seems to be trying to move themselves up market with these CX's. Sort of the mid ground between mainstream and luxury where Volvo and some VW's used to be.
I suppose it makes sense as their Amati luxury marque never launched way back when.

Mazda has kinda sorta been doing that for nearly 20 years. When the original 3 launched it was available with features that weren't common or flat out did not exist in that class (rain sensing wipers for example). Ever since then the 3's interior has been relatively upmarket for its class.

Yeah, it seems to be especially true in their top trim levels.....contrast stitched leather , real wood etc.  Definitely verging on luxury type finishes.

[PJungnitsch]

Been reading up and watching videos on the CX90. Sounds very promising. Usually 80% power sent to rear wheels, up to 50% can be sent to the front. Plus their version of brake based torque vectoring.

Should be good. The key thing seems to be having at least some power always going to the 'off' axle. That I believe is the Subaru secret. Think they are running around 60/40 on the CVT vehicles

Not so much to do with getting stuck as the overall driving feel in slippery conditions

[JG20]

Been reading up and watching videos on the CX90. Sounds very promising. Usually 80% power sent to rear wheels, up to 50% can be sent to the front. Plus their version of brake based torque vectoring.

Should be good. The key thing seems to be having at least some power always going to the 'off' axle. That I believe is the Subaru secret. Think they are running around 60/40 on the CVT vehicles

Not so much to do with getting stuck as the overall driving feel in slippery conditions

Yeah, Subaru symmetrical AWD certainly has its advantages. But it also has disadvantages, such as having the engine in front of the front axle.  I don't think this is as much an issue with their larger vehicles like the Ascent as there's much more weight towards the rear of the vehicle.  From our test drives, the Ascent drove pretty well, same with the Pilot. The Palisade, Telluride and Highlander all felt like boats.  If you care about driving dynamics at all (even for a 3 row SUV), these are not for you.

[Layne]

That CX90 is beautiful.  Although I thought it was a direct competitor to the MDX and more luxury rides but I guess not.

Savage Geese hates the Hyundai so surprised that it got the nod here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jljwgPS_ero

[Blueprint]

The featured Ascent is a Premier, 5th and top trim, and not a Touring, 2nd trim.

And not having a touch screen is a BONUS !!! A less distracted driver is a better driver, after all.

[PJungnitsch]

Meh, for me a well designed touch screen is way less distracting than any rotary dial/mouse/trackpad gizmo

Strange how Mazda didn't make the screen with redundant touch capability, would be the best of both worlds. Touch screens can't be much more expensive nowadays