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

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