Topic: 2024 Mazda CX-90

[Blueprint]

Massive 3-row midsize SUV comparo in Motor Trend. CX-90 MHEV came in ... 6th, after the Ascent. I reviewed the Ascent three times. They criticized its firm ride (me: rides like a Buick) and applauded its fantastic use of space (me: adults can't use 3rd row due to worst headroom in category). No mention of the CVT's moooing. Or of the CVT at all. I mean, I like the Ascent anyhow, but found these observations rather strange. CX-90 criticized for lack of interior room and poor storage, both true. But ... 6th? Hearst media received massive Mazda advertising account that M/T lost out on. Mmmm....

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/3-row-suv-comparison-test-telluride-pilot-explorer-palisade-ascent-grand-cherokee-l-cx-90/

[valuator]

It actually finished 5th....ahead of the Explorer in 7th and Grand Cherokee in 6th.

[Blueprint]

It actually finished 5th....ahead of the Explorer in 7th and Grand Cherokee in 6th.

My bad!

[PJungnitsch]

Interesting test

I've heard that shifter design mentioned as an issue a few times, is it the same on the PHEV?

[draghon]

funny that one of the cons for the pilot was "would it kill honda to make a luxury suv?"...  Ummmm, pretty sure they do, and its called the MDX.

edit: I guess highlander and/or grand highlander weren't available at time of testing which is unfortunate

[valuator]

funny that one of the cons for the pilot was "would it kill honda to make a luxury suv?"...  Ummmm, pretty sure they do, and its called the MDX.

edit: I guess highlander and/or grand highlander weren't available at time of testing which is unfortunate

Omitting the Toyota products is crazy.  You'd think the publication and Toyota would have done their darndest to make it happen.

Pilot- Yeah, I thought that was a weird comment, though the MDX is definitely smaller than the Pilot.  But the hard surfaces in my Pilot have been beaten on to death and still look fine once cleaned, so that's almost a pro in my book.  I'm assuming the primary buyer of a Pilot has a family, otherwise you'd be going MDX or something smaller.

[Blueprint]

Interesting test

I've heard that shifter design mentioned as an issue a few times, is it the same on the PHEV?

Same, never had an issue with it, fairly natural to use (Park is off to the left, the rest is straight), unlike that of my Cadillac XT5 presser where you could think you're in D but still in R.

[PJungnitsch]

Omitting the Toyota products is crazy.

Dunno, they don't seem to have to try very hard nowadays. Can see them not being too worried

The salesmen when we were shopping last fall seemed basically order takers

[ktm525]

Is the Atlas gone? Test identifies the usual. Mazda driver oriented but interior small for the category, like every Mazda I have plunked myself in over the last 40 years lol. These things are schleppers and interior space is important. None really appeal to me. I would choose a well sorted used V8 LR4 every time. 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Omitting the Toyota products is crazy.

Dunno, they don't seem to have to try very hard nowadays. Can see them not being too worried

The salesmen when we were shopping last fall seemed basically order takers

That's gonna make Toyota complacent over the coming years... mark my words.

[DriverJeff]

Is the Atlas gone? Test identifies the usual. Mazda driver oriented but interior small for the category, like every Mazda I have plunked myself in over the last 40 years lol. These things are schleppers and interior space is important. None really appeal to me. I would choose a well sorted used V8 LR4 every time. 

Sorta...  the new Atlas has been shown, but nobody's driven it yet.


I'm sure MT tried their damnedest to get a Grand Highlander, but it's likely one simply wasn't available for the test yet.


As for crapping on the Ascent's position, when we drove the whole collection (minus the 'Murican ones) in the AutoGuide test earlier this spring, I voted the Subie much higher than it ended up placing. I find it to be very usable, easy to live with and drive, and a killer value.  I also didn't find the third row 'unusable'. 

[PJungnitsch]

Omitting the Toyota products is crazy.

Dunno, they don't seem to have to try very hard nowadays. Can see them not being too worried

The salesmen when we were shopping last fall seemed basically order takers

That's gonna make Toyota complacent over the coming years... mark my words.

Doesn't take much. All Honda did is tack an extra $5000 on the price of everything and suddenly all their iron stacking up

[Blueprint]

Is the Atlas gone? Test identifies the usual. Mazda driver oriented but interior small for the category, like every Mazda I have plunked myself in over the last 40 years lol. These things are schleppers and interior space is important. None really appeal to me. I would choose a well sorted used V8 LR4 every time. 

Sorta...  the new Atlas has been shown, but nobody's driven it yet.


I'm sure MT tried their damnedest to get a Grand Highlander, but it's likely one simply wasn't available for the test yet.


As for crapping on the Ascent's position, when we drove the whole collection (minus the 'Murican ones) in the AutoGuide test earlier this spring, I voted the Subie much higher than it ended up placing. I find it to be very usable, easy to live with and drive, and a killer value.  I also didn't find the third row 'unusable'.

I like the Ascent too, but I don't get how they can attribute a harsh ride to it. That gives me pause on their comparo.

[ArticSteve]

though the MDX is definitely smaller than the Pilot

Both vehicles are virtual identical.

.1 inch on the width,   1.5 inch on length which will be found in the bumpers,  same wheel base

The motors are different.  The MDX still has VTEC were the Pilot has a lower emissions motor.


FWIW, the CX90 S model's HP is with 94 octane.  Reviews comment it's a waste of money and the non torque convert transmission is weird.  Most prefer the plug in.

These reviews are HORRIBLE.  The Korean twins look like *SS.  Every review I've seen say the same thing; poor driving dynamics and are the slowest, but great interiors for the $$$.

[valuator]

though the MDX is definitely smaller than the Pilot

Both vehicles are virtual identical.

.1 inch on the width,   1.5 inch on length which will be found in the bumpers,  same wheel base

The motors are different.  The MDX still has VTEC were the Pilot has a lower emissions motor.


FWIW, the CX90 S model's HP is with 94 octane.  Reviews comment it's a waste of money and the non torque convert transmission is weird.  Most prefer the plug in.

These reviews are HORRIBLE.  The Korean twins look like *SS.  Every review I've seen say the same thing; poor driving dynamics and are the slowest, but great interiors for the $$$.

I routinely drive my dad's current gen MDX and my 2016 Pilot....3rd row space and total area behind the 2nd row are definitely quite a bit roomier in the Pilot.  If I had 4 kids, no way I'd consider an MDX, but a Pilot would work just fine if couldn't bear the thought of an Odyssey.

[ktm525]

though the MDX is definitely smaller than the Pilot

Both vehicles are virtual identical.

.1 inch on the width,   1.5 inch on length which will be found in the bumpers,  same wheel base

The motors are different.  The MDX still has VTEC were the Pilot has a lower emissions motor.


FWIW, the CX90 S model's HP is with 94 octane.  Reviews comment it's a waste of money and the non torque convert transmission is weird.  Most prefer the plug in.

These reviews are HORRIBLE.  The Korean twins look like *SS.  Every review I've seen say the same thing; poor driving dynamics and are the slowest, but great interiors for the $$$.

I routinely drive my dad's current gen MDX and my 2016 Pilot....3rd row space and total area behind the 2nd row are definitely quite a bit roomier in the Pilot.  If I had 4 kids, no way I'd consider an MDX, but a Pilot would work just fine if couldn't bear the thought of an Odyssey.

If you have 4 kids then straight to the van shop! (or Suburban)

[valuator]

though the MDX is definitely smaller than the Pilot

Both vehicles are virtual identical.

.1 inch on the width,   1.5 inch on length which will be found in the bumpers,  same wheel base

The motors are different.  The MDX still has VTEC were the Pilot has a lower emissions motor.


FWIW, the CX90 S model's HP is with 94 octane.  Reviews comment it's a waste of money and the non torque convert transmission is weird.  Most prefer the plug in.

These reviews are HORRIBLE.  The Korean twins look like *SS.  Every review I've seen say the same thing; poor driving dynamics and are the slowest, but great interiors for the $$$.

I routinely drive my dad's current gen MDX and my 2016 Pilot....3rd row space and total area behind the 2nd row are definitely quite a bit roomier in the Pilot.  If I had 4 kids, no way I'd consider an MDX, but a Pilot would work just fine if couldn't bear the thought of an Odyssey.

If you have 4 kids then straight to the van shop! (or Suburban)

Suburban...my colleague with 5 kids is a hardcore Suburban guy, says you need the space behind third row to put all their crap.