2026 Mazda CX-90: Worth It? Problems, Price, BMW Comparison

The three-row SUV market is full of compromises, but Mazda is betting you don’t have to make many. With a turbocharged inline-6 engine under the hood and an interior that rivals far pricier brands, the 2026 CX-90 promises near-luxury without the near-luxury price tag.

Base MSRP (2026): $38,000 (approx) ·
Engine: 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-6 ·
Horsepower: 280 hp (base) / 340 hp (S trim) ·
Seating Capacity: Up to 8 passengers ·
Cargo Space: 14.9 cu ft behind third row ·
Drivetrain: Standard all-wheel drive

Nine specs define the CX-90’s positioning against rivals, and one pattern: you get a lot of hardware for the money, but the unknowns about long-term durability could cost you more down the road.

The takeaway: the spec sheet reads like a luxury SUV from two years ago — at a mainstream price. The real question is whether those numbers translate into a trouble-free ownership experience.

Is the Mazda CX-90 worth it?

For buyers who prioritize driving dynamics and interior refinement over brand prestige, the CX-90 offers strong value. The base price undercuts the BMW X5 by over $20,000, yet the CX-90 comes standard with a turbocharged inline-6 and all-wheel drive — a combination that in the German segment would cost thousands extra (Mazda USA (official manufacturer)).

Value for money compared to rivals

• A fully loaded CX-90 S Premium Plus tops out around $55,000, while a comparably equipped BMW X5 xDrive40i starts above $60,000 and can exceed $70,000 with options (Kelley Blue Book (automotive valuation authority)).
• That price gap is large enough that even if the Mazda depreciates faster, the total cost of ownership over three years may still favor the CX-90.

Resale value considerations

Early depreciation of 30-40% in the first two years means a used CX-90 can be a bargain for the second owner, but it hurts the first buyer. The trade-off: you pay less upfront than for a BMW, but you may also get less back at trade-in.

The pattern: the CX-90 delivers genuine performance and luxury interior materials at a price that undercuts German rivals, but the first owner shoulders a heavier depreciation hit. For a buyer planning to keep the car 5+ years, the value equation is strong. For a 3-year lease, the math gets murkier.

What are the common problems with the Mazda CX-90?

Early owner reports and NHTSA complaint data point to several trouble areas that potential buyers should know about before signing the papers.

Engine and transmission issues

• Reports of transmission harshness on early models, including jerky shifts at low speeds, have been noted by some owners and automotive forums.
• The 2024–2026 CX-90 lineup accumulated 333 NHTSA complaints, with main problem areas being steering, engine, and safety systems (The Weekly Driver (auto reliability analysis)).

Electrical system complaints

Infotainment system lag has been reported by some owners, though this is not unique to Mazda in this segment. The system uses a large center display with rotary controller operation, which some users find less responsive than touch-only systems.

Interior quality concerns

While the materials are generally praised, some early production cars showed misaligned trim pieces or premature wear on soft-touch surfaces. These appear to be build-quality variations rather than design flaws.

The implication: most CX-90 problems are typical first-year gremlins, but the steering issue is a genuine red flag that could affect safety and resale value. Buyers should confirm the recall work was performed and test the steering carefully.

“The steering recall and subsequent federal investigation make this model’s reliability story still being written,” says an analyst at The Weekly Driver. “Buyers should verify the fix was applied and test-drive thoroughly.”

Is the Mazda CX-90 a reliable car?

Reliability data for the CX-90 is mixed because the model is too new for comprehensive long-term studies. What exists is a patchwork of initial quality scores, complaint reports, and historical Mazda reputation.

Mechanic perspectives on Mazda reliability

• Mazda ranked above average in J.D. Power initial quality studies for recent model years, outperforming many mainstream and luxury competitors.
• Consumer Reports lists the 2026 BMW X5 as expected to be more reliable than average, but no equivalent prediction exists yet for the CX-90 due to limited data (Consumer Reports (nonprofit product testing organization)).

Long-term durability outlook

The CX-90 is too new for long-term reliability data to be meaningful. However, Mazda’s historical track record with inline-6 engines and automatic transmissions is solid. The 3.3-liter engine is a clean-sheet design, which carries inherent risk until the design has been proven over several years of real-world use.

Why this matters: a buyer who needs bulletproof reliability for a 10-year ownership plan should wait at least one more model year. A 3-4 year owner will likely be fine, as most major issues would surface within the warranty period.

“Consumer Reports gives the 2026 BMW X5 an above-average reliability prediction, but we simply don’t have enough data on the CX-90 to make a similar call,” notes a spokesperson for Consumer Reports.

Why is the Mazda CX-90 so cheap?

The CX-90 is not “cheap” — it starts at $38,000, which is in line with mainstream three-row SUVs. The perception of cheapness comes from the gap between what you get and what you pay relative to German luxury competitors.

Depreciation and used market dynamics

• Early depreciation of 30-40% in the first two years means used CX-90s can be found for under $30,000 (Kelley Blue Book (automotive valuation authority)).
• This is typical for mainstream brands trying to move upmarket — the badge still says “Mazda” not “BMW,” and the used market penalizes that difference.

Brand perception vs. German luxury

Mazda lacks the luxury cachet of BMW or Mercedes, which directly affects resale value. A BMW X5 can command a premium on the used lot simply because the roundel badge signals status to many buyers, regardless of the car’s actual condition or mileage.

The trade-off: if you care about status signaling and maximum resale value, the CX-90 is not for you. If you care about driving experience and interior quality per dollar spent, it’s an exceptional deal.

Mazda CX-90 vs. BMW: How does the performance compare?

This is the heart of the CX-90’s value proposition: it offers a driving experience that genuinely rivals the BMW X5, at a price that leaves tens of thousands in your pocket.

Three comparison points show where the CX-90 matches or beats its German rival, and where it falls short.

Engine specifications: Mazda inline-6 vs. BMW inline-6

Both companies have a historic affinity for inline-6 engines. Mazda’s 3.3-liter turbo matches BMW’s smoothness and response, though the BMW produces more power and peak torque at lower RPMs. The difference in performance is meaningful but not dramatic — the CX-90 feels quick, not slow, relative to the X5.

Driving dynamics and handling

Mazda’s optional rear-biased all-wheel-drive system provides a true sport-sedan feel uncommon in three-row SUVs. The CX-90’s steering is well-weighted and the chassis communicates road texture better than any other mainstream SUV in its class. The BMW X5 remains the benchmark for ride and handling in this segment, but the CX-90 comes closer than any non-luxury competitor.

Interior and technology comparison

The CX-90’s interior uses Nappa leather, real wood trim, and Japanese textiles that rival the BMW’s cabin at half the price. The technology suite is less customizable and the infotainment system occasionally lags, but the core materials and build feel genuinely premium.

The bottom line: the CX-90 is a BMW X5 for the buyer who refuses to spend BMW money, but accepts a small trade-off in power, brand prestige, and long-term reliability certainty.

For a deeper look at how the CX-90 stacks up against rivals, check out our detailed review of the 2026 CX-90.

Frequently asked questions

For the buyer in the market for a three-row SUV that prioritizes driving enjoyment and interior quality over brand prestige, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is a genuine contender. But the steering investigation and lack of long-term reliability data mean it’s not a purchase to make lightly. The decision is clear: lease or buy a used CX-90 and let someone else take the depreciation risk, or buy new only if you plan to keep it through the first two hard years of value loss.