6 May 14th - May 20th, 2026 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) MAZDA BUILT A DAD CAR THAT MIGHT START A FIGHT AT A STOPLIGHT 2026 MAZDA CX-90 TURBO S PREMIUM PLUS The 2026 Mazda CX-90 The 2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus is Turbo S Premium Plus is what happens when Mazda what happens when Mazda watches the Germans and watches the Germans and says “yeah, we can do that… says “yeah, we can do that… but cheaper.” You get a but cheaper.” You get a turbo inline-6 pushing 340 turbo inline-6 pushing 340 horsepower, rear-biased AWD, horsepower, rear-biased AWD, and a driving feel that’s way too and a driving feel that’s way too fun for something with a third fun for something with a third row. It’s not just a family hauler, row. It’s not just a family hauler, it’s a family hauler that low- it’s a family hauler that low- key wants to race someone key wants to race someone at a red light. And starting at a red light. And starting at around $57K starting, it’s at around $57K starting, it’s undercutting the luxury crowd undercutting the luxury crowd while still acting like it belongs while still acting like it belongs there. there. Inside, it’s punching above Inside, it’s punching above its weight like a dude who’s had its weight like a dude who’s had two tequilas and bad intentions. two tequilas and bad intentions. Nappa leather, clean layout, Nappa leather, clean layout, Bose sound system, and Bose sound system, and just enough minimalism to just enough minimalism to feel expensive without being feel expensive without being annoying. The third row is annoying. The third row is there technically, but let’s be there technically, but let’s be honest, it’s more “kids and honest, it’s more “kids and enemies only” than full-grown enemies only” than full-grown adult friendly. The bonus? adult friendly. The bonus? You’re still getting about 23 You’re still getting about 23 city / 28 highway MPG, which city / 28 highway MPG, which is solid for something this size is solid for something this size with actual power. with actual power. The catch? Ride can be a The catch? Ride can be a little stiff, the transmission has little stiff, the transmission has its moments, and long-term its moments, and long-term reliability is still a bit of a “we’ll reliability is still a bit of a “we’ll see.” But if you want a three- see.” But if you want a three- row SUV that doesn’t feel like row SUV that doesn’t feel like you’ve completely surrendered you’ve completely surrendered your soul to suburbia, the CX- your soul to suburbia, the CX- 90 is a hell of a play. 90 is a hell of a play. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
