The Powertrain Options of the 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Mazda CX-90, introduced last year, offers a range of powertrain options designed to deliver enhanced performance and efficiency. This three-row SUV, built on Mazda's all-new large platform, offers drivers a choice between an inline-six turbo engine and a plug-in hybrid system, both paired with an innovative transmission.

Overview of the All-New Platform

The CX-90 is constructed on Mazda's newly developed large platform, engineered specifically for high performance. This platform features a front-engine, rear-wheel-bias longitudinal layout, a departure from Mazda's typical transverse engine configuration. The design choice aims to elevate Mazda's characteristic driving dynamics.

Every CX-90 comes equipped with Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel drive system as standard, ensuring optimal traction and handling in various driving conditions. The vehicle also incorporates Kinematic Posture Control, a technology first seen in the MX-5 roadster. This software feature works to reduce body lift during cornering, enhancing grip and maintaining a natural posture for all occupants.

3.3L Inline Six e-Skyactiv Turbo Engine

The CX-90's flagship engine is the new 3.3L Inline Six e-Skyactiv Turbo. This powerplant delivers impressive performance figures: 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using premium fuel. These numbers represent the highest output from a mass-produced gasoline engine in Mazda's history.

The engine incorporates Mazda's M-Hybrid Boost system, a mild hybrid technology that enhances both efficiency and performance. An electric motor is strategically placed between the engine and transmission, allowing for smooth acceleration from a standstill and the ability to power the CX-90 at low speeds using only electric power.

This powertrain configuration results in an upscale driving experience characterized by smooth acceleration, engaging engine sound, and improved fuel efficiency. The combination of the inline-six layout and hybrid assistance aims to provide a refined yet powerful driving experience.

e-Skyactiv PHEV Powertrain

For those seeking a more electrified option, the CX-90 offers an e-Skyactiv plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. This system, tuned specifically for North American markets, produces 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using premium fuel.

The PHEV system is designed to operate on pure electric power in various driving scenarios, offering the benefits of zero-emission driving for shorter trips. At the heart of this powertrain is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which has been adapted to work in conjunction with an electric motor and a high-capacity 17.8 kWh battery.

This setup provides flexibility for longer drives, such as road trips, where the gasoline engine can take over once the battery is depleted. It also offers maximum acceleration when needed, such as when merging onto highways, by combining power from both the electric motor and gasoline engine.

Advanced Transmission and Efficiency

Both powertrain options in the CX-90 are paired with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. This gearbox has been specifically designed to work with electrified longitudinal powertrains and larger platform vehicles.

A key feature of this transmission is the absence of a traditional torque converter. This design choice results in smoother and more direct acceleration, creating a more engaging driving experience. Additionally, the lack of a torque converter contributes to improved drivetrain efficiency, helping to maximize the performance potential of both the inline-six and PHEV powertrains.

The transmission's multiple gears allow for optimal power delivery across a wide range of driving conditions, from city driving to highway cruising, further enhancing the CX-90's versatility and efficiency.

Conclusion

The 2024 Mazda CX-90's powertrain options demonstrate Mazda's promise to blend performance with efficiency. The inline-six turbo engine offers high output and smooth operation, while the PHEV system provides the flexibility of electric-only driving with the reassurance of a gasoline engine for longer trips. Both are complemented by an advanced transmission designed to maximize their potential. These powertrain choices, combined with the CX-90's new platform and standard all-wheel drive, aim to deliver a driving experience that is both engaging and refined, setting a new standard in the three-row SUV segment.