2023 Mazda CX-90 fuel-efficiency detailed ahead of Australian debut

UPDATE, August 2023: CX-90 Australian launch review

The big Mazda CX-90 is now on sale in Australia. See our full review at the link below.

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Mazda has revealed how its new CX-90 champions fuel efficiency in the large SUV segment.

Due to launch locally during the second half of 2023, the all-new CX-90 will be powered by Mazda's new 48V mild-hybrid, 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six in both diesel and petrol configurations.

The diesel-drinking e-Skyactive D turbocharged diesel engine claims a best-in-class 5.4L/100km, with a CO2 yield of just 143g/km. Both of these figures are 10 per cent improved on the current class-leader, the existing Mazda CX-8 2.2-litre Skyactive D.

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The new silky-six motor promises a more refined driving experience in comparison to the outgoing four-cylinder, also affording a 34 per cent increase in peak power (187kW v 140kW in CX-8 diesel) while surpassing the old Skyactive D's torque output by a full 100Nm.

The CX-90's petrol-powered counterpart, bearing Mazda's e-Skyactive G engine, represents Mazda's most powerful production engine ever – delivering 254kW and 500Nm.

Compared to Mazda's current and ubiquitous 2.5-litre turbo-four found in the existing Mazda CX-9, the new inline-six delivers a near 50 per cent bump in power and 19 per cent improvement to peak torque.

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The petrol-powered CX-90 will clock the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.9-seconds (8.4 for the CX-90 Diesel) and sip a claimed 8.2L/100km, for a CO2 emissions figure of 189g/km.

Despite the arrangement of more cylinders, producing more power and torque, these improvements to fuel efficiency have been cleverly teased out.

The mild-hybrid system improves efficiency and overall emissions in low load situations, where traditional combustion engines use a lot of energy to get the vehicle moving, while the petrol e-Skyactiv G engine harnesses a higher compression ratio for more efficient fuel combustion.

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The diesel e-Skyactive D motor similarly harnesses surplus oxygen within the engine block to improve the fuel combustion process, resulting in better acceleration response, lower N2O emissions at high RPMs while managing better thermo efficiency across the speed envelope due to a greater lean burn.

The e-Skyactiv D engine, too, despite two extra cylinders, mitigates weight creep over the old four-cylinder engine with simple manufacturer structures.

"Mazda has an established reputation for pushing the envelope and achieving complex engineering goals in pursuit of driving pleasure," Mazda Australia's Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi.

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"These two fully-engaging, high-performance powerplants make considerable advancements, not only in power and performance, but also in overall efficiency, ensuring that the signature 'Jinba Ittai' (a traditional Japanese mounted archery concept of 'unity of horse and rider') Mazda driving experience delivers involvement and fun without any expense to frugality."

Full local pricing and specifications for the forthcoming Mazda CX-90 will be announced during the first quarter of 2023.

February 1: CX-90 Australian details discussed further

In conversation with Wheels at the Australian press briefing for its new CX-90, Mazda leadership filled us in on what buyers can expect from the premium new large SUV's pricing and powertrains. Story at the link below.

The story to here

The third new model in Mazda's architected ascent into the premium market has been unveiled. This is the 2023 Mazda CX-90.

Unveiled in California at 3AM this morning (Australian details were under embargo until 9am), the seven-seat CX-90 marks the next step in an almost anachronistic evolution for the Mazda brand.

Like the closely related five-seat CX-60 revealed last year, the extra-large 2023 Mazda CX-90 enters with a platform and powertrain that power-hungry fans would've appreciated in the Mazda 6 or a new halo sports car anytime over the last decade.

(Indeed, that was the rumour until the brand made its SUV focus a little clearer last year.)

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Above: The CX-60

Now, despite the nearly total pivot to EVs occurring across the market, Mazda is betting big on combustion engines, launching its first rear-biased passenger platform engine in years, and powerful new inline six-cylinder petrol engines. Music to the ears of buyers not yet ready or able to wave goodbye to powerful fossil-fuelled options – and at least there's some plug-in EV tech to help begin the transition.

As for when Mazda will dip more than a compact SUV-shaped toe into the pure-EV pool, the brand has said it will launch a proper family-oriented EV in 2025, with a target of 2030 for around 25 per cent of its line-up to be electric.

Until then, it's the small CX-30, mid-size CX-60 and large CX-90 the brand would like buyers to focus on – and it's expecting premium design to draw them in.

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2023 Mazda CX-90 styling and interior design

If you're familiar with the five-seat CX-60 SUV unveiled last year – and you should be by now, given we've driven it and take a long tour of its pricing and features – then you're already familiar with the seven-seat CX-90.

It's already confirmed that the CX-60 and CX-90 share the same platform, but while Mazda says the CX-90 is wider and longer, its specific measurements have not been offered.

Importantly, the brand's local arm says the CX-9 is also longer than the mighty CX-9 that has proven so popular in Australia.

Mazda's big and bigger SUVs

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It's clear though that if it's wider than the CX-60, it has done one better than the seven-seat CX-8, which has a markedly longer body and wheelbase than the closely related CX-5 but identical in width – giving it an awkward look from certain angles.

The CX-90's styling is anything but awkward, with properly pumped haunches blessing it with purposeful proportions that offer no hints of it being a stretched version of the five-seat CX-60.

Zoom in on the details, though, and it becomes obvious that where most brands will give their modern lines some unique styling features to set them apart, the CX-60 and CX-90 reveal again that Mazda is a brand on a budget. But, like Marge Simpson transforming the parts of one power suit into multiple eye-catching designs, Mazda pinches its pennies pretty well.

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In this case, CX-60 and CX-90 appear to wear identical headlight and tail-lamp designs. The bonnet and grille also look to be the same parts.

It's hard to say without full specifications and some time with both cars, but, regardless, it's a trick that has worked well with the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 twins.

Likewise – and again like those French SUVs – the CX-90's interior looks to be mostly identical to the CX-60, with the dashboard, centre stack, centre console and door cards all a mirror image. Makes it hard to say the CX-90 could really be that much wider than the CX-60, at least on the inside.

Powertrains and driving comfort

Petrol and diesel sixes, turbocharged and lightly electrified

In Australia, the CX-90 will be offered with one petrol and one diesel powertrain, both of them turbocharged inline six-cylinder mills measuring 3.3 litres in displacement and both equipped with mild-hybrid 48V 'M-Hybrid Boost' electrification.

In its petrol form, the CX-90 will offer 254kW and 500Nm, while the diesel dials power down to 187kW and torque up to 550Nm.

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Each engine is matched to an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission – an upgrade from the six-speed unit Mazda has leaned on for years – while the 48V electric motor system sits between these units to "create smooth acceleration" and directly power the CX-90 at low speeds.

All-wheel drive is standard for all CX-90 models.

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Kinematic Posture Control

If that heading reminded you to sit up straight in your chair, let's clear that up...

Wheels editor Andy Enright explains in his CX-60 review: "Another trick borrowed from the MX-5 is Kinematic Posture Control, which nips the brakes at a rear inside wheel during hard cornering, dragging the axle down and reducing body roll".

2023 Mazda CX-90 technology

Full details on the CX-90's tech suite are still to come, although the brand specifies a 12.3-inch main display in the dash – seemingly standard in the CX-90 whereas the CX-60 opens with a 10.2-inch and reserves the bigger screen for higher-spec variants – while a full-digital instrument cluster and wide head-up display can be seen in the photos.

Other equipment singled out during today's unveiling presents as a short list, focusing mostly on the third row: USB-C charging points, air-conditioning and "upgraded" interior lighting.

It's clear from the photos that we can also expect the second row to get a pair of USB-C points, dedicated controls for a single air-con zone, and combination heating/ventilated seats in the outboard positions. Big new 21-inch wheels are also confirmed.

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If the CX-60 offers any clues, buyers should also expect the CX-90 to offer LED headlights across the range, along with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto (again controlled via the rotary controller rather than through a touchscreen interface) and a massive panoramic glass roof (the photos do reveal this at least).

Depending on the trim grade, there should also be a 12-speaker Bose sound system (if not more, given this is a seven-seater), a heated steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, adaptive LED headlights and ambient LED lighting.

The CX-60 range opens with manually adjusted front seats in the base Evolve model, but we'd expect to see powered front seats across the CX-90 line-up.

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2023 Mazda CX-90 safety

Standard safety features will include Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring, i-Adaptive Cruise Control, and "and other new assistance systems". Mazda isn't fleshing that out yet, but below you'll find the full list of standard safety kit in the CX-60.

Every CX-60 gets a 360 surround-view camera as standard, but in the Azami grade it also offers a ‘see through function’ – which Mazda says allows the driver to see through the front and rear corners of the car usually obscured by the bodywork. The CX-90 will get this as well, although Mazda hasn't confirmed which grades will be treated.

Lastly, facial-recognition tech is featured in the CX-60 GT and above, automatically adjusting the SUV’s seating position, mirrors and other controls to your saved settings. That, too, is likely to feature with the CX-90.

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When will the CX-90 go on sale in Australia?

At the time of publishing, the clearest information we have is a goal of launching the CX-90 in Australia sometime in the second half of 2023.

Mazda Australia is holding a press briefing for the CX-90 right as this story goes live, so we'll update these details as further information is revealed.

What will the Mazda CX-90 cost?

A lot. Mazda hasn't confirmed pricing for the CX-90 yet, but with the ageing CX-9 starting from around $48,000 and the CX-60 from $59,800, buyers should expect to see the CX-90 priced from at least the high 60s, if not closer to the $75,000 CX-9 Azami – Mazda's current flagship SUV.

Watch for more on the CX-90 to come in the days and months ahead.

Below: The 2022 Mazda CX-9

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