Let's talk about something the automotive world doesn't want to admit: electric vehicles might be the cause célèbre, but a lot of us aren't ready to ditch gas-powered cars just yet. Mazda's CEO, Masahiro Moro, gets it. He recently said, "Customers are looking for affordable solutions rather than electrified solutions… They are still looking for a reliable internal combustion engine." As a Gen X guy who's seen trends come and go, I'm with him.
EV adoption is slowing down. Sure, electric cars have been all the talk among certain circles, but most everyday people are still hesitant. The reasons aren't hard to figure out — EVs are pricey, charging infrastructure is still a mess in a lot of places (even here in SoCal), and range anxiety is real. Nobody wants to be stranded on a highway with a dead battery and a low-charge warning mocking them.
While the industry pushes toward electrification, internal combustion engines are still holding court — and Mazda's doubling down in a way that's hard to ignore.
With Mazda coming off a best-ever single-month sales report, I wanted a firsthand read on what's driving it. So I took the CX-90 out. This SUV is proof that well-executed ICE vehicles still have a lot of fight left in them.
A Cabin That'll Make You Forget EVs Exist
The moment I slid into the CX-90's driver's seat, I forgot I was in a Mazda. I thought I'd accidentally climbed into a high-end European luxury SUV. Premium materials, meticulous attention to detail, and an overall vibe that gently says "surprised, right?" Car and Driver nailed it — the CX-90 has a stylish cabin design with interesting details, including fabric inserts on the dash and door panels on high-end models.
I couldn't stop running my hands over the dash. It's the kind of craftsmanship that makes you feel like you're in a vehicle twice the price. Everything feels intentional — a space that's luxurious but not over-the-top, comfortable but not boring. The kind of interior that makes you want to extend your drive home just to spend more time in it.
2025 Mazda CX-90 — Center Display Controls · Photo: Mazda
A Drive That Reminds You Why You Love Cars
Under the hood, a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six generates 340 horsepower — plenty of get-up-and-go for both your morning commute and highway road trips. The handling is sharp, like Mazda remembered that driving should be fun, not just a chore. The suspension may not be adaptive, but its Kinematic Posture Control uses the braking system to keep the car planted, giving it a surprising balance — sporty enough to keep things exciting, comfortable enough that you're not wincing over every pothole.
The Road Beat summed it up well: the CX-90 shrugs off and absorbs bumps at all speeds and rarely exhibits choppiness. I felt that on a recent drive through some OC backroads — potholes, gravel, all of it. The AWD CX-90 ate it up and kept me grinning the whole way. It's the kind of ride that reminds you why you fell in love with driving in the first place.
Looks That Turn Heads
The CX-90 gets attention on roads full of Tesla and Mercedes SUVs. The elongated hood and proportioned body give it a sophisticated but athletically commanding presence. Mazda's signature design language — sleek lines and dynamic stance — makes it stand out in a sea of increasingly boxy three-row SUVs. Elegant without being fussy, bold without being in-your-face.
I parked it at a gas station and two guys walked over just to say, "Man, that's a good-looking ride." That's the kind of reaction you don't get with just any SUV.
Why Mazda's ICE Bet Makes Sense
The automotive industry might be trundling toward a glut of electrified back lots, but Mazda's focus on refining ICE vehicles shows that gas engines still have a lot to offer. For every EV advocate preaching the end of internal combustion, there's a regular person who doesn't have time for bleeding-edge causes and just wants an affordable, reliable car that doesn't need an extended stay at a charging station every 200 miles.
Mazda gets that. They're not ignoring the future — they're just making sure the present is as good as it can be. The CX-90 is a reminder that a well-made gas-powered car can still deliver luxury, performance, and timeless design in a way that feels fresh, not outdated. If you're in the market for a three-row SUV that checks all the boxes without making you worry about where the nearest charger is, the CX-90 deserves a serious look.
