Are the new Mazda SUVs really the best around?

Seeking Advice
1

Looking at luxury, size, looks, engine, and speed, the new larger Mazda SUVs (CX-90, CX-70) seem to be better than the competition.

They feel more luxurious than non-luxury options and are on par with entry-level luxury brands. They’re faster, have a better AWD system, and come with a six-cylinder engine while most competitors stick with four-cylinder ones.

Reliability is still a question mark, but Mazda has a good reputation thanks to the CX-5.

In the U.S., the CX-90 starts at around $40K, and in Canada, it’s about $48K CAD, which is a great deal when compared to something like the RAV4 (not the same class, but just for comparison) at $39K CAD. For just $10K more, you’re getting a faster, bigger, more luxurious SUV.

Am I missing something? Why would someone choose a different SUV over the CX-90 or CX-70?

2

This sounds like a big Mazda fan post. Mazdas are great for their value, but saying they beat everything else in every way is a stretch.

The CX-90 and CX-70 aren’t that spacious inside compared to other SUVs. The third row is pretty much useless for most people buying a large SUV.

3

@Laine
What makes the third row useless? Honest question.

4

Val said:
I took one for a test drive, and it felt like steering a boat. The handling was so weird. It feels bigger than it actually is, which says a lot.

The CX-5 drives like that too.

5

Shiloh said:
@Laine
What makes the third row useless? Honest question.

The floor is higher than usual, especially in the PHEV version. It’s really only comfortable for little kids.

6

The six-cylinder engine actually uses less fuel than some of the four-cylinder ones out there.

7

I took one for a test drive, and it felt like steering a boat. The handling was so weird. It feels bigger than it actually is, which says a lot.

8

Val said:
I took one for a test drive, and it felt like steering a boat. The handling was so weird. It feels bigger than it actually is, which says a lot.

Like driving a boat? These are big SUVs, so they’re never going to handle like smaller cars. Compared to my Mazda 3, sure, it’s totally different. But I found the KPC tech makes it feel steady, even during sharp turns at highway speeds.

9

@Dara
I wasn’t comparing it to a small car like a Mazda 3. I was comparing it to the Acura MDX and Hyundai Santa Fe, which are also three-row SUVs. Both of those handled curves much better.

10

Val said:
I took one for a test drive, and it felt like steering a boat. The handling was so weird. It feels bigger than it actually is, which says a lot.

Same experience here. It felt like I had to stick to the lane edges, or the SUV would just float around. The view from the driver’s seat feels narrow, but it drives wide.

11

@Emerson
Really? I always thought the CX-5 felt balanced, but I know some people think the stiffer steering makes it seem bigger than it is.

12

Cory said:
@Emerson
Really? I always thought the CX-5 felt balanced, but I know some people think the stiffer steering makes it seem bigger than it is.

Nah, I drive a car without power steering. The CX-5 felt like driving a truck. The CX-30, though, was perfect.

13

@Emerson
Wait, you’re saying the CX-5 feels like a full-sized truck? Come on, really?

14

Laine said:
@Emerson
Wait, you’re saying the CX-5 feels like a full-sized truck? Come on, really?

Haha, yeah, that’s a bit wild. Everyone has their own take, I guess.

15

Laine said:
@Emerson
Wait, you’re saying the CX-5 feels like a full-sized truck? Come on, really?

Context clues, man. I didn’t say I liked driving pickups. I just think the CX-5 feels too big and slow.

16

@Emerson
If the CX-5 feels big to you, how do you manage driving a truck? That’s just funny.

17

Laine said:
@Emerson
If the CX-5 feels big to you, how do you manage driving a truck? That’s just funny.

I don’t drive trucks. The last one I had was actually a Mazda, though.

18

Maybe long-term reliability of the engine is something to think about?