This week I was riding slow and heavy in the 2025 Mazda CX90 GT-P MHEV. There was a clear distinction, coming from the Mazda CX30 Sport, the week before. I could not help but compare the two: the difference between the sporty sedan and this people mover that seats 7.
Where the 30 drove like a dream last week, the 90 felt like a stumble this ons. I could feel the difference of the size and weight with every turn of the wheel. Sadly, the CX90 struggled cumbersomely. It felt heavy behind the wheel, and chunky to handle. Although, having said that, I am aware that I am not the intended demographic. It was just me in the front, feeling the tail whipping out behind me.
Tight spots I fit into last week, were no longer an option this one. I drove further and parked further, in order to just give myself an easier time. There was also a lot more adjustments needed in my parking game to ensure that my tail was not sticking out, and that my frame could fit within lines. I found myself feeling hindered by so much cargo capability. As a single person, this was not created from my convenience.
You can feel the SUVs power, but it was difficult to muster up enough of it on a slope or at a full stop. Even in sport mode, off the line, it took its time. The Mazda CX90 did not have enough immediate power or the stamina to pick up the speed necessary to quickly overtake all the little sedans that left me in their wake.
Although the tank-like frame made the 2025 CX90 a speed bump killer. I did not feel a thing whizzing over them. And uneven ground made no mark, and I felt the 6-line motor powering through it all.
There was also plenty of room to spread out in the cabin. The seats were like a sofa, comfortable with wide, plush, and enough lumbar support. I also appreciated the height of the arm rest, but found there to be not enough surface area or padding to support my arm, elbow to forearm. Similarly, for such a large cabin I expected more storage space. Deeper bins, more compartments to gather loose pieces, the cup holder didn’t even fit my regular water bottle.
I was also not a fan of the turn dial navigation, it felt clumsy to use and highly distracting, especially when driving. There were too many options on the screen and no way to shortcut it. Based on the way it was laid out visually, I assumed it was a touchscreen.
The best feature of the 2025 Mazda CX90 GT-P MHEV has to be the fuel economy. The mild hybrid made a big difference. Despite the girth I was hauling around, and the further distances I drove, the 520km tank went further than expected, and the visit to the pump was infrequent.
