Going for the Gold - 2024 MAZDA CX-90

The CX-90 is ready to compete for its place among premium SUVs.

- RICH CEPPOS P

Like an aspiring Olympian, Mazda has been training relentlessly in recent years, working toward transcending its mainstream roots and competing at a higher level against premium automotive brands. The company has been making good on that mission of late, with cars and SUVs that are more refined and better appointed while still retaining the engaging driving dynamics Mazdas have long been known for. The all-new CX-90 mid-size SUV is the culmination of the training regimen and will serve as the company's flagship. After spending a day with it on rainstorm-battered Northern California roads, we're inclined to say that this athlete of an SUV has the skill set to compete in the premium-class games and maybe even to medal.

Mazda could not have reached this level by simply modifying any of its existing products. The CX-90 uses a fresh-from-the-ground-up longitudinal-engine architecture. It gets its motivation from two fresh powertrains-one a plug-in hybrid-that feature an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system, both new.