Seven-seat SUV with rear-wheel drive! 2023 Mazda CX-90 debuting next month

The reveal of the Mazda CX-90 large SUV is only a month away, as the Hiroshima brand further teases design elements of its incoming model.

Set to follow the smaller CX-60 into Australia, the CX-90 will be the second of Mazda’s large-platform model group to arrive, with the CX-70 and CX-80 very likely to follow in 2024.

The CX-90’s primary target market is North America, where bigger is best, and so the CX-90 will be a big three-row replacement for the CX-9, possibly even growing a little larger. 

As it’ll be built on the same Large Product Group platform as the CX-60, the CX-90 will likely run with the same set of engines, though perhaps with new outputs, as its smaller sibling: a 3.3-litre turbocharged inline six running on either petrol or diesel, or a 2.5-litre inline four cylinder engine assisted by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

As the brand’s flagship model, and with its premium intentions, the CX-90 will have the most luxurious interior of the Mazda line-up, building on the elements like wood panelling, pattern-stitched leather, and traditional Japanese design-inspired fabric.

Outside, the CX-90 will wear an evolved version of the brand’s Kodo design language, likely similar to that of the CX-60, though don’t expect them to look the same.

Mazda Motor Corporation chief designer, Akira Tamatani told journalists at the debut of the CX-60 that each of the four models, CX-60, 70, 80, and 90, would have their own flavour.

“Among the large-platform vehicles, we have narrow body types and wide body types. [CX-] 60 and 80 are narrow-body models. 70 are 90 are wider. Wider body models, they have got a strong stance. Very strong proportions. That’s the kind of characteristics - they look massive,” he said.

“When it comes to 60 and 80, they are sporty, they have an element of elegance at the same time. So, ruggedness and elegance, we are trying to put those elements in 60 and 80.”

“The impression you get from those different models will certainly be different.”

To further that, Mazda has so far released a couple of teaser images, the newest of them this week, to detail certain elements of the CX-90’s design. 

The latest, above, shows the tail-light, following in the design language of the CX-60, while an earlier teaser, below, shows the quarter-panel indicator and chrome trim with ‘Inline 6’ badging, surrounded by body panelling in the brand’s new Artisan Red paint.

Our render for the CX-90 (top) takes into account the fact it will target an American audience, with its wider stance matching up with the comments by Mr Tamatani.

Pricing for the CX-90 is sure to start north of that of the CX-9, which currently kicks off from $47,250 before on-road costs for a front-wheel-drive Sport variant, up to $74,710 for the Azami LE all-wheel-drive.

Given the CX-60 starts at $59,800, we expect to see the larger flagship’s pricing start closer to the current CX-9’s top pricing.