The three-row midsize SUV market is hot and getting hotter. Mazda has always been among the front-runners, but its new flagship SUV, the 2024 CX-90, is shaking things up. Read below as our Bountiful Mazda team in Bountiful, Utah, looks at how the CX-90 stacks up against one of its fiercest rivals, the 2023 Kia Telluride.

2024 Mazda CX-90 vs. 2023 Kia Telluride Overview

The all-new 2024 Mazda CX-90 has taken over from the CX-9 as the Mazda lineup's flagship vehicle. It has sleek and elegant exterior styling and a sophisticated and well-equipped cabin with seating for up to eight people and plenty of cargo space. You also have the choice of three new engines: a 3.3 Turbo, a more powerful 3.3 Turbo S, and for the first time in the United States, a plug-in hybrid option. The CX-90 comes standard with all-wheel drive. Since its introduction in 2020, the Kia Telluride has been the three-row SUV to beat. For 2023, it has updated front and rear styling and an upgraded interior. It has a more upright and boxy design, and its larger dimensions mean more passenger and cargo space but less maneuverability. The same V-6 engine powers all Telluride models. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive as an option.

Trim Levels

The CX-90 3.3 Turbo is available in Select, Preferred, Preferred Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus trim levels. If you want more power, you can choose the 3.3 Turbo S, Turbo S Premium, or Turbo S Premium Plus. The CX-90 plug-in hybrid is available in Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus trims. Each trim has distinctive LED lighting, rain-sensing wipers, 19- or 21-inch alloy wheels, and a power liftgate. Higher-spec trims offer a panoramic moonroof and a hands-free liftgate. The Telluride has five primary trim levels: the LX, S, EX, SX, and Prestige. In addition, and new for the 2023 model, X-Line versions of the EX, SX, and SX Prestige, along with X-Pro variants of the SX and SX Prestige trims, are available. X-Line and X-Pro models come standard with all-wheel drive and off-road capabilities. Standard features include LED front lighting and 18- or 20-inch wheels. Moving up the trim line gets you dual moonroofs, a smart power liftgate, and LED taillights.

Interior Features

In the CX-90's cabin, you'll find yourself surrounded by upscale materials and fine craftsmanship. Depending on the trim level, you can choose three seating layouts for six, seven, or eight passengers, with a second-row bench or captain's chairs with a walk-through between or a center console. The third row can seat either two or three people. Standard interior features for the CX-90 include three-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, paddle shifters, a 7-inch driver display, and simulated or genuine leather seating. The infotainment system features a 10.25-inch display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and an eight-speaker sound system. Higher trims offer heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment display, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The top model has heated and ventilated second-row seats. The Telluride also aims for a high-end feel. It seats seven or eight people with a choice of a second-row bench or captain's chairs. The two lowest trims feature SynTex seating, while other models have leather upholstery. You get standard dual-zone temperature control, a keyless ignition, and a 4.2-inch instrument display. The infotainment system has a 12.3-inch touch screen, smartphone integration, and six-speaker audio. Upgrades include a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The top trims add a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and heated and ventilated second-row seats.

Engine Options

For the CX-90, Mazda has introduced three new potent engines. First is a turbocharged 3.3-liter straight six that generates 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. It features a mild hybrid system that helps improve fuel economy and makes for smoother acceleration. CX-90 Turbo S models get an enhanced version that delivers 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using premium gasoline. You can also opt for the CX-90 plug-in hybrid, a first from Mazda for the U.S. market. This powertrain mates a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 68 kW electric motor and a 17.8 kWh battery pack. The system gives 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium gas. Every engine pairs with a seamlessly shifting eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Under the hood of every Telluride trim is a 3.8-liter V-6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine also mates with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Performance

Mazda is renowned for the thrilling handling and performance of its vehicles, and the CX-90 is no exception. It's also economical, with the base engine giving you up to 24 mpg around the streets of Bountiful and 28 mpg when you head out on the highway. With the Turbo S, you still get up to 28 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg for city driving. If you choose the CX-90 plug-in hybrid, you'll get a combined city and highway economy of 25 mpg. Switch to electric mode, and you'll get a range of up to 25 miles and 56 mpg equivalent. The plug-in hybrid has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. With the inline-six engine and the proper equipment, you can tow up to 5,000 pounds. With front-wheel drive, the Telluride returns up to 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg for highway driving. The figures drop to 18 and 24 mpg, respectively, for all-wheel-drive models. With the right equipment, the Telluride has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, although the X-Pro models can tow up to 5,500 pounds.

How Does the CX-90 Compare to the Telluride?

These upscale three-row SUVs offer similar features and specs. The Kia has slightly more passenger and cargo space, but the CX-90 wins on styling, power, performance, and fuel economy. Take the new CX-90 for a test drive at Bountiful Mazda, and you'll be hooked. Don't forget to check out our new Mazda specials for a great deal.