2026 Mazda CX-90 Review: Why It Out-Performs Its Class Rivals

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an all-electric van that’s designed around space and versatility, with a focus on lifestyle use. In the podcast, it’s brought up in the context of a camping-focused ID Buzz, which frames it as a vehicle people might use for trips and outdoor getaways. That makes it a natural topic for discussing practicality, comfort, and how an electric van fits that kind of use.

Fuel economy is how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel, commonly measured as miles per gallon (or equivalent for hybrids). The hosts say Honda’s new hybrid generation is expected to improve fuel economy by more than 10%.

Hybrid system costs refer to the expense of the components that make a hybrid work—like the battery, electric motor(s), power electronics, and control systems. In this segment, Honda claims it can reduce hybrid system costs by roughly 30%, which would help hybrids become more affordable at scale.

The Tesla Model Y is Tesla’s compact crossover built around an electric powertrain and offered in multiple trims, including all-wheel drive. In this segment, the hosts discuss how Tesla is raising prices on Model Y variants, especially the all-wheel drive models.

All-wheel drive (AWD) means power is sent to more than one axle—typically both the front and rear wheels—so the car can maintain traction in slippery conditions. In this segment, the price increase is specifically tied to the Model Y AWD versions.

A direct seller is a company that sells vehicles straight to customers rather than through independent dealer lots. In this segment, that matters because price changes can be made more quickly when inventory and pricing control aren’t split with dealers.

“Demand is inelastic” means buyers don’t reduce how much they purchase even if prices rise. The hosts question whether that assumption holds—especially when demand is slowing—because higher prices often reduce sales.

The Honda Pilot Elite for 2026 is a three-row family SUV positioned near the top of the Pilot lineup, with the Elite trim adding more features and styling. In this segment, the key mechanical point is its 3.5-liter V6 paired with all-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission, which shapes how it drives around town and on the highway.

A 3.5-liter V6 engine is a gasoline engine with six cylinders arranged in a “V” shape, displacing 3.5 liters total. In this segment, the host highlights that Honda has used this long-running V6 across multiple models, and that it’s smooth and adequate for everyday driving even if it’s not built for drag-race performance.

The Honda Ridgeline is a pickup truck that blends truck capability with more car-like comfort and everyday usability. The podcast context points to a test drive involving its 3.5-liter V6 engine, highlighting how it feels during longer driving. That makes it relevant for listeners who want a pickup but also care about ride quality and daily practicality.

The Honda Odyssey is a minivan designed to carry families comfortably, with features aimed at easy daily use and long-distance trips. In the podcast context, it’s referenced alongside the Passport, implying the discussion includes how mileage and ownership experience stack up. That’s why it comes up often—minivans are typically evaluated on practicality, space, and day-to-day drivability.

The Honda Passport is a mid-size SUV built for everyday driving with a focus on practicality and comfort. The podcast context ties it to mileage and real-world use, suggesting it was tested and discussed in relation to how it performs over time. That makes it relevant for listeners comparing how an SUV fits daily needs and longer drives.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is an automatic gearbox with ten forward gear ratios, designed to keep the engine operating in its most efficient or responsive range. In this segment, the host argues that the 10-speed can feel less refined than the older 9-speed—“hunting for gears” at lower speeds—making it feel a bit clunky around town.

A recall is a manufacturer-initiated (or regulator-mandated) action to fix a safety or compliance issue in vehicles already sold. The host mentions there “was a recall a few years ago,” framing it as something that’s been “steadfast” since—implying the issue was addressed and the model has remained dependable.

A turbocharger is a device that uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine, forcing more air into the engine so it can make more power without increasing engine size. The host notes there’s “no turbocharger or anything here,” emphasizing that this Pilot’s power comes from its naturally aspirated V6 rather than boost.

“Hunting for gears” describes an automatic transmission repeatedly shifting up and down when it can’t settle on the best ratio for the current speed and load. The host says the Pilot’s 10-speed does this more at lower speeds, contributing to a clunkier feel in town.

Perforated leather seating has small holes in the leather surface. Those perforations help with airflow and can improve comfort by reducing heat buildup compared with non-perforated leather.

Alcantara is a synthetic suede-like material used for interior accents and sometimes seat inserts. It’s chosen for its soft feel and grip, and it can look more premium than standard cloth or basic plastics.

Heated ventilated front seats combine two functions: warming the seat surfaces and using airflow to cool them. This is especially useful in hot or cold climates because you can adjust comfort without relying on cabin temperature alone.

A heated steering wheel uses built-in elements to warm the wheel surface. It improves comfort in cold weather and can reduce the “cold hands” problem before the cabin fully warms up.

Captain’s chairs are individual, separate seats in the second row (instead of a single bench). In a three-row SUV, they create a wider aisle and more space between passengers, which can reduce sibling “poking” and make access to the third row easier.

The Mazda CX-90 is a three-row family SUV that stands out by aiming for a more “premium driving” feel rather than just maximizing interior space. In this segment, it’s discussed as having a longer-hood, rear-wheel-drive–biased design and a six-cylinder powertrain paired with mild-hybrid tech.

The Toyota Grand Highlander is another three-row SUV used here to define the CX-90’s shopping “alternatives.” It’s part of the mainstream lineup Mazda is trying to stand out from.

The Kia Telluride is a three-row family SUV that’s mentioned as part of the CX-90’s competitive set. It represents the “mainstream” approach to the segment that Mazda is trying to differentiate from.

The Hyundai Palisade is included as one of the CX-90’s three-row SUV rivals. It helps frame the segment Mazda is competing in and the “near-luxury” expectations buyers have.

An inline six-cylinder engine is an engine layout where all six cylinders are arranged in a single straight line. Compared with many front-wheel-drive crossovers that use transverse engines, an inline-six often pairs with a different drivetrain layout that can feel smoother and more “connected” when driving.

A transverse engine is mounted sideways across the vehicle, which is common in many front-wheel-drive cars because it helps package the drivetrain efficiently. The host contrasts this with the CX-90’s layout, implying a different front-to-rear balance that can improve driving feel.

A mild hybrid system uses an electric motor to assist the engine, but it doesn’t typically drive the car on electricity alone like a full hybrid or EV. The goal is usually better efficiency and smoother power delivery, especially during acceleration and stop-and-go driving.

Turbocharged means the engine uses a turbocharger to force more air into the cylinders. That lets a smaller engine make more power and torque, especially under load, without needing a physically larger engine.

Torque is the twisting force an engine produces, and it strongly influences how quickly a vehicle accelerates from low speeds. In this segment, the hosts cite torque to describe how strong the CX-90 feels in everyday driving.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is a gearbox with eight forward gear ratios that automatically selects the best one for speed and driving demand. More gears can help keep the engine in a favorable range for smoothness and efficiency.

Turbo lag is the delay between pressing the accelerator and the turbocharger delivering boost. It happens because the turbo needs time to spool up, though modern systems often reduce it significantly.

Towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle is rated to tow safely, typically measured in pounds. It depends on factors like engine output, transmission cooling, drivetrain strength, and braking capability.

Wheel size like 21 inches affects ride quality because larger wheels usually mean shorter sidewall tires. Shorter sidewalls can transmit more road harshness, even if the car looks more aggressive.

Napa leather is a premium type of leather finish known for being soft and supple. Automakers often use it to signal higher trim quality, especially on seats and other interior surfaces.

Heated seats warm the occupants in cold weather, while ventilated seats use fans and airflow channels to move air through the seat. Together, they help maintain comfort across a wider range of temperatures.

Third row seats are the extra seating area in a three-row SUV, intended for occasional passengers. In this segment, the hosts say the third row is “a little bit lacking” due to the CX-90’s sporty packaging, but they also note many buyers won’t use it often.

An infotainment system is the car’s combined information and entertainment setup—typically the touchscreen, menus, audio controls, and phone/voice integration. Here, the hosts discuss how Mazda’s infotainment experience (touch vs non-touch operation and CarPlay behavior) affects day-to-day usability.

Apple CarPlay is a phone-to-car interface that lets you use iPhone apps through the vehicle’s infotainment screen and controls. In this segment, the hosts describe a connectivity issue where CarPlay would connect but then fail to stay connected while driving, limiting what the driver can do until the car is stopped.

The Mazda CX-5 is a smaller Mazda crossover, and in this segment it’s used as a comparison point for infotainment controls. The hosts contrast the CX-5’s “all touch interface” with the CX-90’s system, implying the control layout affects usability and driver frustration.