After 40,000 miles of real-world testing, the Mazda CX-90 Turbo S has revealed significant shortcomings that challenge its premium positioning in the competitive three-row SUV market. While initial specifications and hardware promised a compelling package, our extended ownership experience uncovered fundamental flaws in driving dynamics and refinement that undermine the vehicle’s core value proposition.
The Promising Hardware That Couldn’t Deliver
On paper, the Mazda CX-90 Turbo S presents an impressive technical portfolio. The 3.3-liter inline-six turbocharged engine produces 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with a sophisticated eight-speed automatic transmission and Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel-drive system. The suspension features a front double-wishbone and rear multilink setup with standard adaptive dampers, while the braking system includes substantial 13.8-inch front and 13.0-inch rear rotors. These specifications suggested a vehicle capable of delivering both comfort and sporty handling, positioning the CX-90 as a potential alternative to established premium brands.
Initial Impressions Versus Long-Term Reality
During the first 10,000 miles, the CX-90 Turbo S demonstrated flashes of its potential. The inline-six engine provided smooth power delivery with minimal turbo lag, and the transmission executed crisp shifts under moderate acceleration. The interior materials, particularly in the Premium Plus trim, showcased Mazda’s attention to detail with authentic wood trim, soft-touch surfaces, and comfortable Nappa leather seats. The standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen operated responsively, and the 12-speaker Bose audio system delivered clear sound quality.
The Unraveling Driving Experience
As mileage accumulated beyond the 15,000-mile mark, fundamental issues with the driving dynamics became increasingly apparent. The adaptive suspension, which initially provided a compliant yet controlled ride, began to exhibit inconsistent behavior. On smooth highways, the system performed adequately, but on broken pavement and uneven surfaces, the damping response became unpredictable, transmitting sharp impacts into the cabin without effectively isolating occupants from road imperfections.
The steering system, praised in early reviews for its precision and feedback, revealed a lack of linearity in its response curve. During highway cruising, the steering felt overly light and disconnected, requiring constant minor corrections to maintain lane position. When pushed through corners, the weighting increased abruptly, creating an artificial feel that diminished driver confidence rather than enhancing it. This inconsistency became particularly noticeable during extended road trips and in challenging weather conditions.
Powertrain Refinement Issues Over Time
The inline-six engine, while fundamentally smooth in its operation, developed several concerning characteristics as mileage increased. Fuel economy, initially rated at 23 mpg combined by the EPA, consistently delivered only 19-20 mpg in real-world mixed driving. More troubling was the engine’s behavior during cold starts and under partial throttle at low speeds. A pronounced vibration could be felt through the steering wheel and floorboard during warm-up, and the transmission occasionally exhibited harsh downshifts when slowing to a stop.
Transmission Behavior and Drivability Concerns
The eight-speed automatic transmission, designed to balance efficiency and performance, proved to be a significant source of frustration. In normal driving mode, the transmission prioritized fuel economy to a fault, upshifting aggressively and remaining in higher gears even when additional power was clearly needed. This resulted in frequent hesitation when accelerating from a roll or attempting to merge into traffic. Sport mode improved responsiveness but introduced its own issues, including overly aggressive downshifts and a reluctance to upshift smoothly.
Perhaps most disappointing was the transmission’s behavior during low-speed maneuvers. When parking or navigating tight spaces, the gearbox exhibited a noticeable shudder during the engagement of first gear, accompanied by a clunk that could be heard and felt throughout the cabin. This issue persisted despite multiple dealer visits and software updates, suggesting a fundamental design or calibration problem rather than a simple software glitch.
Suspension and Handling Deficiencies
The Adaptive Damping System’s Shortcomings
Mazda’s Kinetic Posture Control system, designed to enhance stability and reduce body roll, failed to deliver consistent benefits in real-world driving. While the system effectively minimized lean during cornering, it introduced a secondary motion that some testers described as a “floaty” feeling during transitions. When changing lanes quickly or encountering mid-corner bumps, the rear suspension exhibited a delayed settling behavior that reduced confidence rather than enhancing it.
The brake system, while powerful enough to bring the 4,969-pound SUV to a stop from highway speeds, lacked progressive pedal feel. Initial bite was overly aggressive, making smooth stops in traffic challenging, while deeper pedal travel revealed a nonlinear increase in braking force. This characteristic became particularly problematic during extended downhill driving, where consistent modulation was essential for maintaining control.
Interior Compromises and Practicality Issues
Beyond the driving dynamics, the CX-90 Turbo S revealed several practical shortcomings during long-term testing. The third-row seating, while adequate for children, proved cramped for adults on anything beyond short trips. More concerning was the cargo space behind the third row, which measured only 15.9 cubic feet—significantly less than key competitors like the Hyundai Palisade (18 cubic feet) and Kia Telluride (21 cubic feet).
The interior also developed several annoying rattles and squeaks as mileage accumulated. The most persistent issues originated from the dashboard area near the infotainment screen and the second-row captain’s chairs, which developed a noticeable creak when occupied. While these noises didn’t affect the vehicle’s functionality, they undermined the premium experience Mazda aimed to deliver.
Reliability and Maintenance Experience
From a mechanical reliability standpoint, the CX-90 Turbo S performed adequately but not exceptionally. The vehicle required three unscheduled dealer visits during the 40,000-mile test period: one for a recurring warning light related to the adaptive cruise control system, one for the transmission shudder issue mentioned earlier, and one for a malfunctioning power liftgate that failed to open consistently. All repairs were covered under warranty, but the frequency of issues raised concerns about long-term ownership costs beyond the initial coverage period.
Competitive Context and Market Position
When evaluated against its primary competitors, the CX-90 Turbo S’s shortcomings become particularly apparent. Vehicles like the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy and Kia Telluride SX-Prestige offer more consistent ride quality, superior interior space utilization, and more polished powertrain behavior at similar price points. Even traditional luxury competitors like the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 deliver more coherent driving experiences despite their own limitations.
The fundamental issue with the CX-90 Turbo S isn’t a lack of capability—the vehicle possesses impressive hardware on paper—but rather a failure to integrate these components into a cohesive, refined whole. The driving experience feels like a collection of individual systems operating in isolation rather than working together harmoniously, resulting in a vehicle that never quite delivers on its promise of premium sophistication.
The Cost of Ownership Equation
With a starting price of $59,950 for the Turbo S Premium Plus trim and a fully loaded example approaching $65,000, the CX-90 positions itself at the upper end of the mainstream three-row SUV market. This pricing strategy assumes a level of refinement and driving pleasure that justifies the premium over more utilitarian competitors. Unfortunately, our long-term experience suggests the vehicle fails to deliver sufficient value at this price point, particularly when considering the driving dynamics issues that became increasingly apparent over time.
Resale value represents another concern. While Mazda vehicles traditionally maintain strong residual values, the CX-90’s market reception has been mixed, with some early adopters reporting disappointing trade-in offers. This trend, if it continues, could further undermine the vehicle’s value proposition for buyers who typically trade vehicles within three to five years of purchase.
Manufacturer Response and Future Implications
Mazda has acknowledged some of the issues identified during our testing, particularly regarding transmission calibration, and has released several software updates aimed at improving drivability. However, fundamental aspects of the suspension tuning and steering feel appear to be inherent to the vehicle’s design rather than easily addressable through updates. This suggests that prospective buyers should test drive the CX-90 extensively, paying particular attention to how the vehicle behaves on varied road surfaces and during different driving scenarios.
The CX-90 represents a critical test for Mazda’s premium aspirations, serving as the flagship for the brand’s move upmarket. While the vehicle succeeds in certain areas—particularly interior design and material quality—its failure to deliver a polished, cohesive driving experience represents a significant setback. For a brand built on its reputation for driving enjoyment, this deficiency is particularly damaging and raises questions about Mazda’s ability to compete effectively in the increasingly competitive premium SUV segment.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve toward electrification and increased automation, the fundamentals of ride quality, steering feel, and powertrain refinement remain critical differentiators. The Mazda CX-90 Turbo S demonstrates that impressive specifications and premium materials alone cannot compensate for deficiencies in these core areas. For buyers considering a three-row SUV in this price range, thorough evaluation of how a vehicle performs not just during a brief test drive but over thousands of miles of varied conditions remains essential to making an informed purchase decision. The gap between paper specifications and real-world experience has never been more apparent than in this ambitious but ultimately flawed offering from a brand that has built its reputation on delivering driving pleasure at every price point.
