Comparing the 2026 Mazda CX-90 to the Competition
When the family travels together, you need the right vehicle that is comfortable and spacious while delivering great performance. That is what the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is all about.
There is more interior space for up to eight passengers, with elevated luxury, intuitive technology, and a signature driving experience that makes it a Mazda. There is a choice of three power options – a 280-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder, a 340-horsepower version of the same engine, and a 323-horsepower plug-in hybrid driveline.
You have a choice of trim levels, including Select, Preferred, Premium Sport, and Premium Plus. All are well-equipped and priced for great value.
Is the 2026 CX-90 the right SUV for you? Let’s see how it compares to its competition.
CX-90 vs Honda Pilot
Honda’s three-row SUV was revised for 2026, featuring a bolder grille and some tweaks underneath the skin. It is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and is available in front- or all-wheel drive. There are several trim levels available, including the rugged TrailSport model.
- All CX-90 models are equipped with standard all-wheel drive. It is an option for Pilot models.
- Electrification is more than a trend; it is a reality. With the CX-90’s PHEV driveline, you get more performance from its 323-horsepower driveline, as well as better fuel economy – achieving a 25 MPG combined loop rating compared to the Pilot’s 21 MPG with all-wheel drive.
- The standard V6 in the Pilot can only deliver 262 pound-feet of torque. The CX-90 standard turbocharged in-line six-cylinder puts down 332 pound-feet of torque. That means more confidence when passing on the highway and towing.
- How accessible are the second and third rows of the Pilot? Not only are the door openings in the CX-90 wider, but they also open to about 90 degrees for easier access inside.
- Value is important when choosing the right three-row SUV for your family. The CX-90 Turbo Select has an MSRP that is almost $5,200 lower than the Pilot Sport with all-wheel drive.
CX-90 vs. Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander is the brand’s go-to three-row SUV. It is also a response to the growing list of three-row crossover SUVs that have the ride and feel of cars and the utility of SUVs. The Grand Highlander offers customers a mix of both gasoline and hybrid engines.
- All CX-90 models are equipped with standard all-wheel drive. It is an option for the Grand Highlander.
- Toyota is a leader in hybrid driveline technology. However, the Grand Highlander does not offer a plug-in hybrid driveline, unlike other models in its lineup. The CX-90 PHEV can drive on battery power alone for 26 miles. That translates to a total range of 500 miles between the two power sources.
- The standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Grand Highlander can only deliver 310 pound-feet of torque. The CX-90 standard turbocharged in-line six-cylinder puts down 332 pound-feet of torque. That means more confidence when passing on the highway and towing.
- You will notice how the CX-90’s rear doors open up to nearly 90 degrees for easier access to the second and third row seats, compared to the Grand Highlander.
- Your family is always looking for great value in your next vehicle. You will find that the CX-90 Turbo Select has an MSRP that is over $4,500 lower than the Grand Highlander LE with all-wheel drive.
CX-90 vs. Hyundai Palisade
Introduced last year, the second-generation Palisade arrived with a bolder design inside and out. The premium look incorporates features from across the Hyundai lineup, giving it a distinctive style and a standout appearance. A V6 and a new turbocharged hybrid driveline now power the new Palisade, along with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
- All CX-90 models are equipped with standard all-wheel drive. It is an option on the Palisade.
- The Palisade’s hybrid driveline is a new offering for its three-row SUV. The CX-90 PHEV adds a way to charge the battery back up through a convenient plug receptacle. You can drive on battery power alone for 26 miles. That translates to a total range of 500 miles between the two power sources—something Hyundai offers on other models in its lineup.
- The standard V6 in the Palisade can only deliver 260 pound-feet of torque. The CX-90 standard turbocharged in-line six-cylinder puts down 332 pound-feet of torque. That means more confidence when passing on the highway and towing.
- Having more rear hip room does not translate to a wider door opening. Especially when the CX-90’s rear doors open to nearly 90 degrees for easier access to the back two rows.
- Value is important when choosing the right three-row SUV for your family. The CX-90 Turbo Select has an MSRP that is over $2,400 lower than the Palisade SE with all-wheel drive.
CX-90 vs. Kia Telluride
The brand new 2027 Telluride arrives with a sharper exterior design and improved technology. Instead of a standard V6, they went with a 274-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine standard and a 329-horsepower turbocharged hybrid driveline available. The Telluride is available with automatic transmission and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. There are ten trim levels available, ranging from the value-laden LX to the luxurious and rugged X-Pro SX Prestige.
- All CX-90 models are equipped with standard all-wheel drive. It is an option on the Telluride.
- The Telluride’s turbo hybrid driveline is a new offering for their three-row SUV. The CX-90 PHEV adds a way to charge the battery back up through a convenient plug receptacle. You can drive on battery power alone for 26 miles. That translates to a total range of 500 miles between the two power sources. Something that Kia offers on other models in its lineup.
- The standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Telluride can only deliver 311 pound-feet of torque. The CX-90 standard turbocharged in-line six-cylinder puts down 332 pound-feet of torque. That means more confidence when passing on the highway and towing.
- How well can you get into the second and third rows of seats on the Telluride? Open the rear doors on the CX-90, and they provide a near 90-degree opening for easy entry and exit from both rows.
- Your family is always looking for great value in your next vehicle. The CX-90 Turbo Select has an MSRP that is over $4,800 less than the Telluride S with all-wheel drive.
Compare the 2026 Mazda CX-90 to the Competition
This page is best experienced in Landscape Mode.
| Subcompact Crossovers | Mazda CX-90 | Honda Pilot | Toyota Grand Highlander | Hyundai Palisade | Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trims | 4 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 11 |
| Colors | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Engine | 3.3-liter Turbo | 3.5-liter |
2.4-liter Turbo
2.0-liter
2.4-liter Turbo Hybrid MAX
|
3.5-liter | 2.5-liter Turbo |
| Horsepower |
3.3T - 280
3.3T S - 340
|
285 |
Gas - 265
Hybrid - 245
Hybrid MAX - 362
|
287 | 274 |
| Torque |
3.3T - 332
3.3T S - 369
|
262 |
Gas - 310
Hybrid MAX - 400
|
260 | 311 |
| Transmission | 8-speed Automatic | 10-speed Automatic |
Gas - 8-speed Automatic
Hybrid - ECVT
Hybrid MAX - 6-speed Automatic
|
8-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic |
| DriveTrain | AWD |
FWD
AWD
|
FWD
AWD
|
FWD
AWD
|
FWD
AWD
|
| Fuel Economy (Hwy/City/Comb) |
3.3L - 23 / 28 / 25
PHEV: 26 Combined
|
FWD - 19 / 27 / 22
AWD - 19 / 25 / 21
|
2.4T: FWD - 20 / 28 / 24
2.4T: AWD - 21 / 27 / 23
2.5 HEV FWD: 37 / 34 / 36
2.5 HEV AWD: 36 / 32 / 34
2.4T HEV AWD: 26 / 27 / 27
|
FWD - 19 / 25 / 21
AWD - 18 / 24 / 20
XRT Pro - 16 / 22 / 19
|
FWD - 20 / 26 / 22
AWD - 18 / 24 / 20
|
| Infotainment |
Standard - 10.25"
Optional - 12.3"
|
12.3" | Standard - 12.3" | Standard - 12.3" | Standard - 12.3" |
| Front Headroom |
W/O Moonroof - 39.7
W/ Moonroof - 39.2 / 39.6 (Prem Spt, Prem+, High PT)
|
Sport, EX-L - 40.5
TrailSport, Touring, Elite, Black Edition - 39.1
|
W/O Panoramic Roof - 41.5
W/ Panoramic Roof - 40
|
No Sunroof - 41.5
Sunroof - 40.1
|
W/O Sunroof - 41.2
W/ Sunroof - 40
W/ Dual Sunroof - 40
|
| Front Legroom | 41.7 | 41 | 41.7 | 44.2 | 41.4 |
| Rear Headroom |
W/O Moonroof - 39.3
W/ Moonroof - 38.6 / 38.4 (Prem Spt, Prem+, High PT)
|
Sport, EX-L - 40.2
TrailSport, Touring, Elite, Black Edition - 39.2
|
W/O Panoramic Roof - 40.2
W/ Panoramic Roof - 38.5
|
No Sunroof - 40.7
Sunroof - 40.0
|
W/O Sunroof - 40.4
W/ Sunroof - 40.4
W/ Dual Sunroof - 38.9
|
| Rear Legroom | 39.4 | 40.8 | 39.5 | 43.0 | 43.0 |
| Cargo Behind 3rd Row Seats (cubic feet) | 14.9 cu.ft. |
Sport, TrailSport - 18.6-21.8 cu.ft.
EX-L, Touring, Elite, Black Edition - 18.6-22.4 cu.ft.
|
20.6 cu.ft. | 19.1 cu.ft. | 22.3 cu.ft. |
| Cargo Behind 2nd Row Seats (cubic feet) | 40 cu.ft. |
Sport, TrailSport - 48.5-59.5 cu.ft.
EX-L, Touring, Elite, Black Edition - 48.5-60.1 cu.ft.
|
57.9 cu.ft. | 46.3 cu.ft. | 48.7 cu.ft. |
| Cargo Behind 1st Row (cubic feet) | 75.2 cu.ft. |
Sport - 87 / 111.8 cu.ft.
EX-L - 87 / 112.4 cu.ft.
TrailSport - 87 / 113.7 cu.ft.
Touring - 87 / 112.4 cu.ft.
Elite, Black Edition - 87 / 112.1 cu.ft.
|
97.5 cu.ft. | 86.7 cu.ft. | 89.3 cu.ft. |
| Base Price | $39,575 | $42,395 | $42,260 | $39,435 | $39,190 |