Mazda’s latest three-row SUV, the 2024 CX-90, represents a deliberate engineering shift aimed at delivering driving engagement uncommon in its segment. The redesign transitions from a front-wheel-drive platform to a rear-wheel-drive architecture, a move that enables the adoption of a longitudinally mounted inline six-cylinder engine. This configuration inherently balances the vehicle’s mass distribution, a hallmark of performance-oriented layouts.
The e-Skyactiv G 3.3-liter Inline 6 Turbo serves as the centerpiece of the CX-90’s powertrain lineup. Producing 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, it is the most powerful mass-production gasoline engine Mazda has developed to date. Integrated with a 48-volt mild hybrid M-Hybrid Boost system, the setup enhances efficiency and responsiveness. The electric motor, positioned between the engine and transmission, provides direct drive at low speeds, smoothing acceleration and reducing reliance on the combustion engine during initial take-off.
For buyers seeking electrified versatility, Mazda offers a plug-in hybrid variant based on its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Combined with an electric motor, this configuration delivers 323 horsepower and an identical 369 lb-ft of torque. A 17.8-kWh battery enables up to 26 miles of electric-only range, supporting short commutes without engaging the gasoline engine.
Both drivetrains are paired with Mazda’s in-house-developed eight-speed automatic transmission. Designed to be as compact as possible, it minimizes intrusion into front footwells from the rear-drive transmission tunnel. Unlike conventional automatics, this unit replaces the torque converter with a computer-controlled clutch pack, reducing efficiency losses and sharpening throttle response.
Suspension design reflects Mazda’s sports car heritage. The CX-90 incorporates Kinematic Posture Control (KPC), a system first introduced on the MX-5 Miata. KPC software subtly applies brake force to the inside rear wheel during cornering, counteracting body lift and enhancing grip. This works in concert with suspension geometry tuned to maintain vehicle stability under varied dynamic loads.
At the front, a double wishbone suspension replaces the more common MacPherson strut arrangement. Dave Coleman, manager of vehicle dynamics at Mazda R&D, explained, “As the body rolls and compresses the outside suspension, the double wishbone suspension automatically pulls the top of the tire in, keeping the tire upright as the body rolls around it. This gives us the maximum front grip.” The geometry ensures optimal tire contact during cornering, improving steering precision and overall handling.
The rear employs a five-link setup with geometry tailored to the demands of high-output powertrains. Coleman noted, “The most critical point here was establishing the appropriate amount of anti-squat to deal with the high-output powertrain.” The link arrangement creates a virtual pivot point, causing the wheels to move slightly backward under compression and forward under extension. This mitigates the impact of bumps and enhances suspension compliance.
Such geometry also influences longitudinal dynamics. “Under acceleration, weight shifts onto the rear tires, making the rear suspension squat,” Coleman said. “But the force accelerating the car is pushing through this virtual pivot point, pushing the wheels forward, which makes them want to push down. So this pushes the body back up and resists that acceleration squat a little bit. This same geometry also gives us an anti-dive effect under braking.”
Mazda’s engineers have layered software control atop these mechanical principles. Coleman detailed, “In a corner, KPC applies a tiny amount of brake force, just to the inside rear tire. Thanks to the anti-dive geometry, the braking force pulls down on the inside rear corner of the car a little bit, slightly reducing body roll, pitch forward, and heave, where the whole body moves up and down. This really improves platform stability and helps the car naturally and precisely follow the driver’s intended path.”
By integrating rear-drive architecture, advanced suspension geometry, and hybridized powertrains, the CX-90 seeks to blend family utility with driving precision. Mazda’s track record in vehicle dynamics suggests that the engineering choices underpinning this SUV could yield a distinctive experience for those attentive to mechanical detail.