By Otsile Kadiege 

Mazda has lifted the veil off the all-new CX-90. The newcomer is the car manufacturer’s flagship SUV which is built on an new platform and sports the brand’s modern Kodo – Soul of Motion design philosophy. It’s also brimming with new tech and electrified powertrains.

Exterior design and styling

Mazda’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design language is quite evident with the new CX-90. It looks sleek, modern, minimalist and elegant. Highlights include a large grille flanked by serpent-like LED headlights, chrome detailing all-round, up to 21-inch diamond-cut wheels and slim LED taillights. The new CX-90 is available with a range of colours like this Artisan Red paint which was specifically developed for the large SUV.

Interior design and technology 

Inside, the new CX-90 has a modern and upmarket cabin which is inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics. Mazda used multiple materials, such as Nappa leather, wood, and tone-on-tone fabrics as well as chrome trimmings throughout the CX90’s cabin. The three-row SUV is also available with a captain’s chair setup at the second row seats.

The CX-90 also features new technologies, such as an available See-Through View monitor, which is meant to assist in a variety of parking situations through the 12.3-inch center display. More convenience features include USB-C charging ports for the third-row, air conditioning vents, and upgraded interior lighting, among many more features.

Safety and driver assistance systems

The new CX-90 is equipped with many standard i-Activsense safety features, such as Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, and other new features that will help enhance the confident experience for all occupants.

Powertrains

Powering the Mazda CX-90 is an all-new e-Skyactiv G 3.3-litre Inline 6 turbo-petrol engine, which has the highest performance outputs from a mass production petrol engine developed by Mazda. This engine is equipped with M-Hybrid Boost (a mild-hybrid system) to provide efficiency and it develops 340 horsepower (254 kW) and 369 lb-ft of torque (500 Nm).

The CX-90 is also available with a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain called the e-Skyactiv PHEV, tuned specifically for the North American market. The engine is paired with an electric motor and a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery. This powertrain has a total system output of 323 horsepower (241 kW) and 369 lb-ft of torque (500 Nm). Mazda is mum on the fully electric driving range of the CX-90 PHEV.

All CX-90 powertrains are paired with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission, specifically designed for the electrified longitudinal powertrains and large platform vehicles. The multi-speed automatic gearbox, without a torque converter is said to achieve smooth and direct acceleration while improving drivetrain efficiency.

Mazda South Africa is earmarked to launch a couple of new models this year and we hope the new CX-90 is one of them.