This Mazda SUV is pulling buyers away from German luxury brands

Say “luxury SUV” and names like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi normally come to thoughts. However in 2026, you don’t have to enroll in a luxury-brand fee to get one thing that feels correctly upscale and genuinely enjoyable to drive.

The curveball comes from Japan, and it’s not Lexus, Acura, or Infiniti. It’s the Mazda CX-90, a three-row SUV that’s quite a bit fancier than its badge suggests.

In increased trims it packs a clean inline-six with actual punch, whereas variations just like the CX-90 Premium Sport maintain issues snug and well-equipped with out blowing up your price range. The result’s an SUV that feels premium sufficient to tempt consumers who would possibly’ve in any other case headed straight for the German showroom.

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The 2026 Mazda CX-90 Premium Sport feels way more upscale than it appears

Premium supplies, sharp styling, and an inline-six give it actual luxurious vibes

Credit score: Mazda

Mazda’s popularity wasn’t constructed on plush interiors. For years, the model signed off advertisements with “Zoom Zoom,” leaning arduous into its sporty aspect, the identical mindset that made automobiles just like the Mazda MX-5 Miata cult favorites and carried over into SUVs just like the Mazda CX-90.

The CX-90 nonetheless has that athletic edge, but it surely additionally dips a toe into real luxurious territory with out sporting a European badge. That’s very true within the Premium Sport trim, which feels wealthy inside with leather-based surfaces and sharp-looking trim throughout the sprint and doorways.

You’ll be able to climb to the S Premium Plus for extras like a hands-free liftgate, upgraded energy seat changes, and a bigger panoramic moonroof, however the Premium Sport already nails the candy spot. It delivers the upscale vibe most consumers need with out pushing the value into full-on luxury-brand territory.

An inside that punches above its weight

Credit score: Mazda

No, there isn’t handcrafted wooden from a centuries-old forest or a elaborate analog clock borrowed from a jewellery home. What you do get is a clear, fashionable cabin that appears thoughtfully designed, with a regular 12.3-inch screen (on Most popular trims and up) that helps Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa, plus an obtainable 12-speaker Bose system that’s completely value including.

Within the CX-90 Premium Plus, second-row captain’s chairs come normal, giving back-seat passengers a noticeably extra snug setup. You do lose a seating place whenever you go that route, however the tradeoff is a extra lounge-like really feel, and if you wish to go all in, Nappa leather-based is reserved for the highest trims.

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Three rows with a surprisingly sporty edge

Balanced dealing with and inline-six energy set it aside

Credit score: Mazda

For a virtually 5,000-pound SUV, the CX-90 feels far more agile than it has any proper to. There’s some physique roll if you happen to actually push it, but it surely grips corners confidently and feels noticeably sharper than rivals just like the Kia Telluride or Toyota Grand Highlander.

That sportier tuning does imply the trip leans agency over tough pavement. It’s not punishing, however you’ll really feel extra of the street than you’d in some softer, comfort-first rivals.

As Mazda’s solely three-row SUV, it’s additionally your ticket to hauling as much as eight folks with a little bit of that previous “Zoom Zoom” spirit baked in. The third row works wonderful for teenagers and shorter journeys, although adults could begin negotiating for second-row seats on longer drives.

2026 Mazda CX-90 specs

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The Premium Sport trim hits the candy spot

Upscale really feel and powerful efficiency with out the luxury-brand value

Credit score: Mazda

We’d park our cash on the CX-90 Premium Sport except you actually need the additional punch from the S trims. It begins at $46,980 earlier than choices just like the $900 Premier Tow bundle, which places it proper within the combine with mainstream gamers just like the Honda Pilot.

Step as much as the extra highly effective S variations, and also you’re not simply paying for added horsepower. Pricing climbs rapidly, topping out round $57,370, which begins nudging it nearer to true luxury-brand territory.

Select the “S” if you would like extra punch

Credit score: Mazda

Each CX-90 will get a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six, which already units it aside in a category filled with turbo fours. Even the usual setup in trims just like the Premium Sport makes a wholesome 280 horsepower.

Step as much as the S Premium Sport or S Premium Plus and output jumps to 340 horsepower. Within the midsize three-row SUV world, that’s about as full of life because it will get with out wandering into full luxury-brand pricing.

2026 Mazda CX-90 pricing

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Is the CX-90 value it?

A compelling different to conventional luxurious SUVs

Credit score: Mazda

If you need a three-row SUV that feels genuinely upscale however nonetheless has some edge to it, the CX-90 Premium Sport makes a robust case. It delivers a near-luxury vibe and loads of options with out pushing previous what many consumers already count on to spend on a brand new SUV.

Fold the third row down, and it turns right into a critical cargo hauler, prepared for street journeys, Costco runs, or a full slate of weekend sports activities. Add the Premier Tow bundle, and it might pull as much as 5,000 kilos, which solely provides to its on a regular basis usefulness.

The firmer trip received’t be everybody’s cup of tea, particularly for consumers used to softer luxurious cruisers just like the Grand Highlander. However if you happen to’re keen to commerce a little bit of cushiness for sharper dealing with and a punchy inline-six, the CX-90 appears like a sensible option to get luxurious taste with out the luxurious badge.