Mazda has already confirmed that its flagship CX-90 large SUV will be released in Australia in the third quarter of 2023 – following about three months behind the midsize CX-60’s June 2023 launch.
Though we know that the CX-90 is going to be available to order from around March, questions still remain around how the seven-seat SUV will be priced when it goes on sale.
Both petrol and diesel engine options are available on the CX-90
Pricing has however been released in the USA, giving us a good idea of what to expect from this new premium model and while it’s upmarket positioning may see it pitted against the likes of the Audi Q7, BMW X5, and the Volvo XC-90 on paper, the data suggests buyers may pay quite a bit less.
How much will Mazda’s CX-90 be in Australia?
In America, the entry-level CX-90 starts from USD$39,595, and comes equipped with Mazda’s 3.3-litre petrol engine – currently the only drivetrain option available in that market.
That price makes the CX-90 only 2.1 percent more expensive than the entry-level CX-9 Touring AWD that starts from USD$38,750.
The range-topping CX-90 sits on 21-inch alloy wheels
In Australia, the CX-9 Touring AWD currently starts from AUD$59,200 before on-road costs, meaning a 2.1 percent increase would have the CX-90 placed at AUD$60,443 before local fees and taxes are added.
It’s worth noting that we can expect to see around a 10 percent difference in prices between the two large SUVs once the CX-90 lands locally. This larger difference between the two will likely be down to the fact that the North American large SUV segment is a lot more competitive.
At the other end of the scale, the range-topping CX-90 in America costs US$59,950, compared to the top-of-the-line CX-9 that is priced from US$48,460, representing a 23 percent increase.
The CX-9 is a similar size to the upcoming CX-90
Back home, the range-topping CX-9 starts at $75,165 before on-road costs, meaning the 23 percent increase would leave the range-topping CX-90 at $92,452 before on-road costs.
For context, low-spec CX-90 grades score leather-trimmed upholstery, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.
While more expensive variants up the luxury with a larger 12.30-inch infotainment screen, wireless phone charging, and nappa leather-trimmed seats. On the outside, these models get 21-inch diamond-cut wheels, and an electric tailgate.
Three rows of seats are expected to come as standard in the CX-90
Australian CX-60 hints at CX-90 list price
While pricing is incredibly difficult to gauge, with many moving parts including exchange rates, shipping costs and material price deciding the final figure, it’s not the only indication as to the CX-90’s price as we’ve seen similar margins between the CX-5 versus the CX-60.
Considering that the entry-level CX-60 is powered by a 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine making 209kW/450Nm, and makes use of an all-wheel drive system, it’s most comparable to the CX-5 GT SP AWD which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine.
The 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six engine that powers the CX-90
Where the CX-5 GT SP AWD starts at $51,810 before on-road costs, the CX-60 G40e starts at $59,800, representing a similar difference to the CX-9/CX-90 pairing seen here.
Diesel-equipped grades of the CX-60 also carry a $2000 premium over their turbo-petrol counterparts, so it’s likely we can expect something similar for the CX-90.
It’s also a fair bet that once the plug-in hybrid version of the CX-90 arrives in Australia – probably in 2024 – it will attract a similar price premium over the six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, just as it does in the CX-60.
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV uses a similar hybrid system to the CX-90 PHEV
In fact, the CX-90 PHEV could become the first Mazda vehicle on sale in Australia to exceed the $100,000 mark since the RX-7 sports car of the 1990s.
What will CX-90 buyers get for the money?
In Australia, CX-90 buyers will get the option between a 254kW/500Nm 3.3-litre turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder, or a 187kW/550Nm diesel-six of the same displacement size.
Both engine options will also feature a 48-volt mild hybrid system that Mazda says boosts efficiency while enhancing refinement.
All CX-90s in Australia will be all-wheel drive with an automatic transmission
In both cases, this is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system.
Chasing Cars previously reported that Mazda Australia is looking at complying the American-market CX-90 PHEV for local sales, but this isn’t expected to be achieved before 2024.
Full local pricing and specification is expected to be revealed for the CX-90 closer to its launch in the third quarter of 2023.