Mazda's perceived move upmarket is less of a fullfledged leap into the luxury space than it is a step just beyond the mainstream products with which it has long competed. And the 2024 Mazda CX90 marks the automaker’s biggest reach to date, both literally and figuratively. Built on a rearbiased platform akin to BMW or MercedesBenz and offered with materials that look as though they wouldn’t be out of place inside a more expensive machine, this new flagship threerow seems on paper like it’s ready to nip at the heels of proper premium products.

That’s why it’s pitted here against the 2023 Acura MDX, an SUV that’s perhaps not quite on the same level of its peers from those German brands, but it’s certainly not far behind, either. Finished here in Platinum Elite trim, it’s also handicapped by an asking price that’s exactly $7,000 richer than its rangetopping rival, the CX90 Signature.

AutoTrader.ca EditorinChief Jodi Lai and Road Test Editor Dan Ilika test these two threerow crossovers that were both launched in the past year. What does stepping up to "true" luxury really get you in a vehicle?

Read the full review on AutoTrader.ca:
https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/2...

00:00 CX90 vs MDX, Premium Mainstream vs Luxury
01:27 CX90 Powertrain and Handling
04:20 CX90 Mild hybrid system and Fuel economy
05:15 CX90 Ride quality
06:03 MDX Ride quality
06:35 MDX Powertrain and Handling
07:23 MDX Fuel economy
08:28 MDX Userfriendliness and Cabin design
09:38 Pricing and Value
10:27 Design and Styling
11:21 MDX Thirdrow space
12:23 Luxuriousness
14:34 CX90 Passenger space
15:07 CX90 Infotainment
16:43 Pros and Cons
17:22 Conclusion