2024 Mazda CX-90 G50e Azami Review

All this flagship space, luxury and performance doesn’t come cheap, though, so we got behind the wheel of the range-topping CX-90 G50e Azami to see if it’s worth stretching the budget, or if lesser variants are a better pick.

Join us as we take a look at the Mazda CX-90 from all angles and see how it stacks up in the ever-competitive world of premium, three-row SUVs for you and your family.

Mazda CX-90 Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

As tested, the CX-90 you’re looking at sits in top-spec G50e Azami trim, with the optional Takumi package, brings the price to $99,435 before on-road costs, with its diesel counterpart receiving a price tag of $93,320.

For reference, the entry-level CX-90 Touring is priced at $74,400 with the petrol engine, while the CX-90 Touring diesel is priced at $76,400.

Stepping up the range brings the price to $85,335 for the CX-90 GT Petrol, with the CX-90 GT Diesel priced at $85,400.

Prices listed do not include on-road costs.

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Mazda CX-90 G50E AZAMI TAKUMI MHEV Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Mazda CX-90 Azami Have?

Sitting at the top of the range, the Mazda CX-90 Azami comes brimming with features and luxurious touches that make it feel like a truly special family SUV.

The features list is headlined by 21-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights, a surround-view monitor, 12.3-inch LCD digital instrument cluster, heated & ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, a powered boot lift, keyless entry & start, a head-up display, three-zone climate control, a frameless rear-view mirror and ambient interior lighting.

The features list continues, but in the interest of saving time, it’s fair to say the CX-90, especially in flagship Azami trim doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to features, offering a host of luxurious and family-friendly touches.

The optional Takumi Package fitted to this test vehicle also receives white Nappa leather upholstery with an upgraded cloth dashboard, white Maple Wood console as well as captain’s chairs and added storage in the second row.

Mazda CX-90 Azami Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Sitting as Mazda’s latest-generation SUV, the CX-90 does not disappoint on the technology front - especially in range-topping Azami trim.

While the base model CX-90 picks up a 10.25-inch infotainment display, the CX-90 GT and Azami receive an upgraded 12.3-inch infotainment display neatly packaged atop the dashboard with DAB+ radio and satellite navigation.

The display is fantastic, with its bright, high-definition display paired with a solid software package underneath with a clean layout and responsive inputs via the rotary dial.

While it’s technically a touchscreen display, when cruising through Mazda’s menus you’ll need to use the rotary dial, while switching over to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto allows you to use the screen directly.

Once you’ve acclimatised, Mazda’s rotary dial and shortcuts are much more intuitive and, in our opinion, less distracting to use on the move while offering a satisfying click between menu items.

The CX-90 in base form picks up an eight-speaker sound system while the GT & Azami receive a 12-speaker BOSE sound system that sounds fantastic.

There’s also a personalisation system that memorises your preferred seat position, climate settings, mirror adjustments and steering wheel position.

Does the Mazda CX-90 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Buyers will be pleased to know that all members of the CX-90 range, not just the range-topping Azami we’re testing here, receive wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity.

Once you’ve paired your phone via the system settings, the CX-90’s infotainment system is fast to process data from your smartphone and doesn’t skip a beat when it comes to making calls, navigating and accessing your favourite songs and podcasts on the move.

Combine wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with the CX-90’s wireless charging pad and you’ve got an all-in-one solution for hands-free entertainment and a charged-up phone.

You can also plug your phone into the CX-90 via a USB-C port hidden underneath the centre armrest for wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity.

Is the Mazda CX-90 Comfortable to Drive?

It sure is - with Mazda striking a healthy blend between ride comfort and confidence-inspiring handling that make it an almighty grand touring SUV.

The CX-90 sits as the company’s largest and most powerful vehicle to date, with power supplied by an absolutely peach of an inline-six petrol engine.

Under the bonnet lurks a 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol unit with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that throws 254kW of power and 500Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic.

Off the line, the CX-90 gracefully picks up the pace in a very smooth, refined manner, with the inline-six engine remaining a highlight of the package that offers tonnes of pick-up when you mash the throttle.

Shifts are silky-smooth as you pick up speed, and while there were brief moments of hesitation at lower speeds, overall it’s a great pairing for the almighty engine.

Sitting as the company’s largest vehicle to date, it does take some time to get comfortable with the CX-90’s stature around town and while parking, though a lightweight steering rack and multiple parking cameras and sensors help to make it user-friendly.

As for ride comfort, the CX-90 is not as buttery as you might expect, with Mazda opting for a firmer suspension system to keep the weight tied down and driver confidence high.

This setup is great for zipping around town with its responsive handling, though it does make things feel firm on a rougher country road, for example.

Having said that, the highway driving experience is sublime thanks to the CX-90’s abundant power and confidence on the road, allowing you to chew up a long road trip in comfort and style.

All up, we loved our time behind the wheel of the CX-90 and think Mazda has struck a great making its mammoth SUV approachable for all drivers, super refined and confidence-inspiring on a long-distance haul.

Is the Mazda CX-90 G50e Fuel Efficient?

Mazda has bucked the down-sizing engine trend with the CX-90, instead opting for that glorious inline-six which means it’s not exactly the most fuel-efficient large SUV on the market.

Having said that, it’s far from the thirstiest of the bunch with the help of some mild-hybrid engine tech and is actually quite frugal when you’ve hit the sweet spot at highway speeds.

After close to 800kms, we came close to Mazda’s official claim of 8.2L/100km on the combined cycle with figures of 8.4L/100km popping up on the instrument cluster, covering everything from stop-start traffic in the city to long-distance highway cruising.

Sitting at highway speeds, the CX-90’s engine is barely working up a sweat which means fuel economy figures drop to around the 7.4L/100km mark, though it drinks a hefty 10.5L/100km in traffic around town.

If outright fuel efficiency is a top priority, may we suggest the CX-90 with the D50e diesel engine which is officially rated at 5.4L/100km on a combined cycle.

How Much Fuel Does the Mazda CX-90 Use Around Town?

• CX-90 Diesel: 5.7L/100km

• CX-90 Petrol: 10.5L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Mazda CX-90 Use on the Highway?

• CX-90 Diesel: 5.3L/100km

• CX-90 Petrol: 7.4L/100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

One-upping a car like the CX-9 on practicality means the CX-90 has some awfully big shoes to fill - a job that Mazda has pulled off with style.

Before we jump in, it’s important to note that this review car was fitted with Mazda’s optional Takumi package that throws out the second row bench seat in favour of a pair of luxurious captain’s chairs.

This means that while second row comfort is massively increased, your overall seating capacity drops from seven people to six; if you’re in need of a seven-seater, be sure to give this the skip.

Now, space and comfort in the front of the CX-90’s cabin is exceptional - with soft leather upholstery covering all the important touchpoints, a fully adjustable seat and driving position and excellent headroom.

The layout keeps things pretty clean and simple, though there is a mass of buttons below the air vents for all your luxuries like the heated and ventilated seats, and climate settings.

There are storage options aplenty in the front of the CX-90, with a sizable tray sitting behind the gear lever, cup holders hidden by a retractable cover and a large split-fold centre armrest with added storage inside. 

Move to the second row and things are equally as spacious, especially with the optional captain’s chairs that are super comfortable and offer added storage options inside the bulky centre console.

Headroom is great for tall rear passengers while the wide cabin and panoramic sunroof keep things feeling spacious in the second row, with amenities like dedicated climate control, USB-C ports and even heated seats.

Slide the second-row forward and access into the third row is easy for kids, with enough legroom on offer for adults to cram in the rearmost of the cabin, though headroom caters for a core audience of children, rather than adults.

For the parents out there, you’ll find a pair of ISOFIX anchors in the second row as well as top tether mounts in both the second and third row of the CX-90’s cabin.

All up, the CX-90’s large platform is a strong performer when put to the family test, offering equal parts practicality and luxury, especially in the flagship Azami trim.

How Big is the Mazda CX-90’s Boot?

Now, with all that space to accommodate the family inside, the CX-90 needs to have a large boot to pass the family test with flying colours.

In many respects, it doesn’t disappoint, though it does lack the premium touches like a power-folding third row.

The CX-90’s boot space, in six- and seven-seat mode, totals a healthy 257L which is enough for a school run or a decent-sized load of shopping, though fold down the third row and you’ll unlock 608L of boot space.

With the second row folded, the Mazda CX-90 has a boot measuring in at a palatial 2,025L thanks to its massive cabin, meaning you can easily fit in sports gear, surfboards and any other bulky cargo when you’re in a pinch.

Mazda CX-90 Boot Space Figures

• 257L (third row standing)

• 608L (third row folded)

• 2,025L (second row folded)

Is it Safe?

While the Mazda CX-90 remains untested by ANCAP, it comes jam-packed with an extensive list of active safety equipment that will be well received by any family buyer.

The list is headlined by autonomous emergency braking with junction assist and both pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, vehicle exit warnings, front & rear parking sensors and a secondary collision mitigation system.

The Azami specifically picks up a surround-view monitor with a see-through view function, as well as Mazda’s cruising and traffic support system that combines lane centring with adaptive cruise control for easy highway driving.

What Warranty Does the Mazda CX-90 Come With?

Mazda offers the CX-90 with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

There are also five capped-price services for the CX-90 range, with service costs totalling $3,360 for the petrol G50e, dipping slightly to $3,217 in the D50e range.

Service intervals for petrol-powered CX-90 variants stand at 12 months/15,000-kilometres which drop to 10,000-kilometres in the case of the CX-90 diesel.

Our Verdict: Is the Mazda CX-90 Azami Worth it?

There’s no denying the CX-90 is mighty expensive for an SUV with a Mazda badge, but there’s also no escaping just how impressive and all-encompassing the refinement of the company’s latest and largest SUV.

It’s absolutely brimming with features and tech, looks fantastic inside and out, offers some seriously family-friendly space inside the cabin and has a fabulous six-cylinder engine.

The CX-90 in base form shapes up as a more realistic proposition for family buyers while still retaining a hefty list of features, premium touches and safety equipment, though buyers opting for the flagship Azami will not be disappointed by the sheer levels of opulence on offer.

If we were throwing our money down, we’d be taking a close look at the base Touring or GT variants for some added luxuries and tech, with the diesel engine option looking mighty tasty for the efficiency gains.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new family-friendly beast, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help take the stress out of the process and find you the best price.

Five Mazda CX-90 Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Inline six-cylinder petrol & diesel engines, both with mild-hybrid tech

3. 8.2 - 5.4L/100km combined cycle fuel economy (petrol v diesel)

4. Takumi package (tested) drops seating from 7 to 6 with captain’s chairs

5. 257 - 608 - 2,025L boot space figures