One of our latest Facebook posts caused quite a stir among our readers – myself included.

We posted photos of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 crossover, which is the larger, seven-seat sibling of the Mazda CX-60 that was launched on June 2023, that was spotted in a mall parking lot by Ton Garcia.

AutoFun Philippines asked permission to use these pictures.

The unit featured Philippine conduction stickers, temporary plates normally used on Mazda Philippines' media lend-out units, Inline 6 badging, body-colored fender claddings, and the all-new “Artisan Red” body color. It also had 21-inch, two-tone alloy wheels and a tan leather interior.

Mazda Philippines previewed the CX-90 during the local CX-60 launch, with company president and CEO Steven Tan saying that the larger crossover will officially be launched locally by the end of 2023.

Discovery, Q7 rival

The three-row CX-90 made its global debut on January 2023 and is part of Mazda’s “Large Product Group” platform.

As such, the CX-90 also gets a rear-biased, all-wheel-drive layout with mild-hybrid, turbocharged straight-6 gasoline or diesel engines.

Although specifications have yet to be finalized, the CX-90 is available in other markets with a more powerful gasoline motor than the CX-60. This pumps out 345 PS and 500 Nm of torque.

The turbodiesel is identical to what is available in the CX-60, producing 254 PS and 550 Nm of torque. There’s also a plug-in hybrid version that uses a 2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that produces 327 PS and 500 Nm of torque.

All models are available with an 8-speed automatic transmission that replaces the torque converter with an electric motor.

The CX-90 also features Kinematic Posture Control, a software feature initially developed for the Mazda MX-5 roadster that limits body roll on tight corners. Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel drive continues to provide grip in various scenarios and has been adapted to the high-output powertrain. 

Mazda hopes to take sales away from established European manufacturers by offering a more luxurious vehicle. These include vehicles like the Land Rover Discovery and the Audi Q7.

High-end cabin

Similar to the philosophy of the CX-60, the three-row CX-90 gets Mazda’s interpretation of “Japanese luxury.”

As such, high-end materials like soft Nappa leather are used throughout the cabin, incorporating design features that are normally available in the likes of super-luxury European brands like Rolls-Royce or Bentley.

Seating configurations offer a bench or captain's chair layout for the second row, as well as a two-seater or three-seater option for the third row. Mazda said the more upright D-pillar means that the CX-90 will be more spacious than the front-wheel-drive CX-9.

The Mazda CX-90 also introduces new technology and premium convenience features, such as a digital instrument cluster and a choice between a 10.25-inch or a 12.3-inch center display.  

The windshield-projected Active Driving Display is now larger in area and type size, although physical function buttons will continue to complement interior styling and promote ease of use and safety. 

A 12-speaker Bose audio system is also available, along with wireless phone charging. Meanwhile, a 360-view monitor and See-Through View monitor will also help drivers in parking maneuvers. 

There’s also the Mazda i-Activsense active-safety system that incorporates features like Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Lane-Keep Assist and Rear Seat Alert. 

JPEPA incentives

Like the smaller CX-60, the CX-90 qualifies for financial incentives under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

This applies to vehicles manufactured in Japan with a displacement of at least 3000 cc. Although prices have not yet been finalized, the top-spec CX-60 Sport turbodiesel costs ₱2,890,000.

This means that the CX-90, assuming that both the gasoline and diesel variants are brought in, should be in the ₱3.4 million to ₱3.6 million range.

Do you think the Mazda CX-90 will find a new market among longtime European car owners?

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