2023 Mazda CX-90 First Look on the Road

A cloaked prototype in the US may have provided our first look at Mazda's largest SUV, the CX-90. The prototype in question is believed to be the upcoming 2023 Mazda CX-90 that has been spied testing ahead of its global unveiling due before the end of the year. Is the spotted car a Mazda CX-90 and is it here to replace the CX-9? If you're looking for answers to these questions, well you've arrived at the right place. Let's get going.

Even though the images only showed a large and unbranded camouflaged SUV, it's no doubt that the prototype is indeed the Mazda CX-90 because it's a third-row vehicle with large dimensions. Also, the prototype was reported testing in the same area of Los Angeles where the Mazda's smaller CX-50 was spied last year.

Although the disguised mule doesn't wear any badges to indicate it's a Mazda vehicle, the shape and signature of the tail-lights are similar to those of the CX-60, the first new two-row SUV on Mazda's new rear-wheel-drive platform – as is the CX-60-style strip of trim on the bodywork behind the front wheel.

If you look well and closely at the side profile of the prototype, you will see a large overhang behind the rear wheels indicating it has the third row.

All of these clues suggest that the prototype in question is indeed the 2023 Mazda CX-90 which is the next model in Mazda's range.

Like the CX-60 which is only sold overseas, the new CX-90 might ride on a rear-wheel-drive platform which delivers better weight distribution, enhancing handling acceleration, and braking compared to a four-wheel-drive-based platform. While the platform is rear-wheel-drive, the vehicle will still feature an all-wheel-drive.

Another likely possibility for the CX-90 is a plug-in hybrid model, which might use the same system as the CX-60 SUV. Meaning the car might feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor between the engine and eight-speed transmission and a 17.8-kWh battery pack, which generates a total system produced 369 pound-feet of torque and 323 horsepower.

The 2023 CX-90 is expected to enter production in late 2022 as a 2023 model year. The car will be available to purchase at Mazda dealerships throughout the United States and in select international markets.

The company didn't release the price for the CX-90 yet or trims information, however, it's estimated that the vehicle will have a starting price of around $40,000 following the traditional trim lineup of Mazda's other models.

The CX-90 does an excellent job of hiding its design details, but for car enthusiasts... we already think that the car will borrow looks from the CX-50 and that's a good thing. But to be 100 percent certain, we must wait until Mazda unveils the car globally towards the end of this year.

Even though the horsepower and torque specs aren't available yet for the CX-90, likely, these figures will undoubtedly surpass the 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque for the 2.5-liter turbo-four engine in the CX-9.

With that in mind, do you think the 2023 Mazda CX-90 will replace the CX-9 or be sold alongside it? We would love to hear your thoughts on this, so kindly share them in the comment section and we would be thrilled to jump in and exchange ideas.