Mazda CX-9 vs. CX-90: What’s the Difference?

The Mazda CX-90 (pictured bottom) is bigger in every dimension than the outgoing CX-9 (pictured top). Although the CX-9 has a beautiful exterior, its design has started to show its age. The CX-90 sports muscular, modern sculpting that helps it stand out from other three-row SUVs that play it safe with styling. It looks rakish and sleek without giving up the cues that identify it as an SUV.

The 2023 CX-9 (pictured) comes equipped with a torquey 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops as much as 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque when running on 93-octane gasoline. Output falls to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane gas, which still provides enough grunt for quick acceleration. All-wheel drive is standard, and every CX-9 gets a six-speed automatic transmission. In our testing, a Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.

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Mazda equips the 2024 CX-90 with an impressive range of engines. The 3.3 Turbo models produce 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque from a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with regular gasoline. Upgrading to the 3.3 Turbo S models cranks up the output to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium gas. Like the CX-9, AWD is standard, but the transmission gets upgraded to an eight-speed automatic for all CX-90 variants. When we took a 2024 Mazda CX-90 AWD Turbo S Premium Plus to the track, it hit 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

Mazda also offers the 2024 CX-90 as a plug-in hybrid (pictured). It comes equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-four engine paired with a 68-kWh electric motor for a combined output of 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The CX-90 PHEV can travel an unspecified distance on all-electric power thanks to its 17.8-kWh battery. We expect this model will be about as quick as the higher-output version of the gasoline-only 2024 CX-90.

Even though the new inline-six develops more power and torque in both states of tune, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is overall a more fuel-efficient vehicle than its predecessor. The lower-output CX-90 is rated at 24/28 mpg city/highway, whereas the higher-output version is just barely less efficient at 23/28 mpg. As of this writing, ratings haven't arrived for the new e-Skyactiv plug-in hybrid model, but we expect it to be the most efficient Mazda three-row SUV of the whole lot. The 2023 CX-9, on the other hand, returns an EPA-rated 20/26 mpg from its singular engine option.

We've praised the outgoing Mazda CX-9 (pictured left) for its impressive handling, excellent braking, and solid ride. It isn't as quick as its rivals, though. The new CX-90 (pictured right) has captured much of its predecessor's magic, especially in terms of its on-road handling, great brake tuning, and precise steering. We didn't love the CX-90's inconsistent performance during our track testing, which was a result of an ineffective all-wheel-drive setup and poorly programmed stability control. On the road, we don't expect most drivers to detect any of these issues, but more enthusiastic owners might encounter some of these gripes during a spirited drive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 (pictured) has a more spacious interior than the 2023 CX-9. Legroom is up 0.7 inch for the front and third rows, and cargo capacity is up by 3.0 cubic feet when all of the seats are folded down. However, this doesn't make the CX-90 feel more spacious than its competitors; the third row could be easier to access, and legroom could be a lot better. Cargo volume is still down compared to other three-row rivals, as well. Fortunately, Mazda scores some points back in the interior with its use of luxurious materials and stunning cabin design.

Mazda outfits the 2023 CX-9 (pictured) with a lot of standard equipment. Standard features include a 10.3-inch infotainment display, a 4.6-inch instrument cluster display, six speakers, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. At the highest levels, the CX-9 comes with a standard 12-speaker Bose system, head-up display, and 7.0-inch gauge cluster screen.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is even more lavishly appointed. Notable standard features include a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, an infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 10.3-inch display, and an eight-speaker audio setup. Third-row passengers also receive available USB-C charging ports, air conditioning vents, and upgraded interior lighting. Mazda offers higher trims with a 12.3-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Bose 12-speaker audio.

Even though the second-generation Mazda CX-9 (pictured) first went on sale for the 2016 model year, the three-row SUV is still a very safe SUV with great ratings. The IIHS named it a 2023 Top Safety Pick, with Good crashworthiness scores in every category. It received a score of Good in the original moderate overlap front test, but after the IIHS updated this element of its evaluation, that rating has fallen to Poor. Scores from NHTSA are similarly strong; the 2023 Mazda CX-9 received a five-star overall rating. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is too new to have been rated by the IIHS and NHTSA yet, but it does come equipped with a long list of active safety equipment.

Both models come equipped with active safety features such as adaptive high-beams, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Mazda offers higher trim levels with curve-adapting headlights, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera. Although a lot of the CX-90's aspects changed from those of the CX-9, its active safety features are effectively unchanged.

Despite the 2024 CX-90's (pictured right) many advantages over the 2023 CX-9 (pictured left), the two models are priced within $1,000 of each other. The 2023 CX-9 starts at $40,124 for the entry-level Touring trim, while Mazda asks $40,970 for the base 2024 CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select. The CX-90 comes with more powerful and efficient drivetrains, a more spacious interior, and a longer list of standard equipment. Although pricing climbs slightly with the new model, Mazda improved its flagship's value proposition significantly in its execution of the CX-90. For shoppers still considering a CX-9, we recommend holding out for the much-improved CX-90.