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Overall, this feels like a more premium, slightly higher-priced three-row SUV that gets a lot right for families, especially when it comes to car seat functionality and second-row comfort.
- Strong car seat hardware in the second row: both captain’s chairs have full LATCH setups (lower anchors + top tether anchors), which makes installs really straightforward
- In the third row, you get two top tether anchors and one set of lower anchors.
- Flexible third row for car seats: there are two top tether anchors and one set of lower anchors, so you can actually make multiple car seats work back there
- Deep third row seats: not shallow like a lot of SUVs, which makes a big difference for secure installs and proper car seat positioning
- Strong rear-facing clearance: even with the front seat set for a ~6-foot driver, there’s still a couple inches of space
- Two-seat third row is a win: no one’s crammed or sitting on buckles, and installs feel way more doable
- Really comfortable second row: tons of knee room, sliding/reclining seats, built-in sunshades, plus heated and ventilated seats in this trim
- Extra storage where you need it: second row center console has cupholders and surprisingly deep storage (even bigger than the front)
The Exterior
Let’s talk about the exterior of the 2024 Mazda CX-90, because overall I do think it’s a really good-looking, more premium-feeling SUV—but I have a few thoughts.
- Front end is the standout: that big grille with chrome detailing gives it a really elevated, almost luxury look
- Very long hood: it makes the car look sleek, but just remember that length isn’t translating to more space for your kids inside
- From the side, it’s giving a mix of Tesla Model X and BMW X5
- Doors are huge: almost minivan-level big, which I actually love for getting kids in and out
- Design details feel high-end: chrome trim, Mazda badging, and the two-tone wheels all look really nice together
- Back end is a little more basic: not bad, just doesn’t feel as modern as the rest of the car
So overall, I like the way it looks and it definitely leans more premium, but the proportions—especially that long hood—might not be for everyone.
First Row
Up front, this is where the CX-90 really leans into that more premium feel—but there are a few things that stood out to me in real life.
- Interior design feels high-end: the saddle brown with black and chrome detailing looks really nice, and the materials don’t feel cheap
- Fully loaded tech: digital dash, heads-up display (which I love), and a really crisp surround-view camera
- Infotainment is a little weird: Apple CarPlay works as a touchscreen, but outside of that you’re using the control knob…which just feels unnecessary when the screen clearly can be touch
- Good safety features: things like the distracted driver alert popped up while I was driving, which is actually helpful
- Climate control is just okay: heated seats, ventilated seats, heated steering wheel are all great, but the airflow struggled in the heat
- Cupholders are not it: they didn’t fit my Stanley all week, which is honestly a dealbreaker for some of you
- Center console is small: for a car this size, I expected more storage up front
Overall, it looks and feels luxury from the driver’s seat, and a lot of the features are there—you just run into a few little usability quirks once you start living with it day to day.
Second Row
This is a really strong second row for car seats, but there are a few things you need to understand depending on how you’re setting it up.
- LATCH + tether anchors (captain’s chairs): each captain’s chair has its own set of lower LATCH anchors and a top tether anchor, so both seats are fully equipped for car seat installs
- Great for rear-facing installs: I had a rear-facing seat installed with the driver seat set for me at about 6 feet tall and still had a couple inches of clearance, which is a big win
- Spacing is really comfortable: there’s plenty of room between the seats, and overall knee clearance is great, so you’re not feeling cramped even with car seats installed
Where things get a little tricky:
- No car seat tilt for third row access (with captain’s chairs): the seats do slide and tilt, but not with a car seat installed
- Center console is not removable: so you can’t create a pass-through, which means if you have car seats installed, third row access is basically through the trunk
- Seats are adjustable: they slide and recline, which helps with install angles and overall flexibility
Overall, from a pure car seat standpoint, this second row is really solid—great anchor access, good spacing, and easy installs. The main limitation is access to the third row once those car seats are in place.
Third Row
The third row in the Mazda CX-90 is actually pretty solid for kids and car seats, but there are a few important things to know.
- Two-seat third row: I really like this—no one is sitting on buckles, and it just feels more comfortable overall
- Car seat setup: there are two top tether anchors and one set of lower anchors, so you do have flexibility for installs back here
- Deep seats (this matters): the seats are not shallow, which makes a big difference for car seat installs—I was able to install a seat and still have about an inch or two of clearance
- Works well for car seats: not winning any awards for legroom, but actually better for installs because of that seat depth
From a comfort and usability standpoint:
- Comfortable for the size: good head clearance and elbow room for a smaller three-row SUV
- Nice features: cup holders and USB ports on both sides
Where it falls short:
- Ventilation is not it: there’s basically one vent, and it’s not close to your face—it’s just not enough, especially for kids
- Access can be a pain: if you have car seats installed in the second row, kids are likely climbing in through the trunk
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Trunk
This is where the CX-90 feels a little tighter for families.
- About 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, which is on the smaller side for midsize SUVs
- In real life: a full-size stroller didn’t fit, mainly because the trunk isn’t very tall
- Underfloor storage is minimal—more small compartments than usable space
- Seats fold down easily when you need more room
How It Compares
- CX-90: 14.9 cu ft
- Highlander: 16 cu ft
- Palisade: 18 cu ft
- Telluride: 21 cu ft
- Traverse: 22.9 cu ft
So compared to others in this category, the CX-90 is definitely on the smaller end for trunk space.
Overall, it works for everyday use, but if you’re regularly hauling strollers or a lot of gear, you’ll likely need to fold a seat down.
Safety
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and includes seatbelt pretensioners in the front seating positions. The front passenger pretensioner system is tied to the occupant classification system, meaning it adjusts deployment based on the passenger’s weight for added safety.
This is a really strong car seat vehicle overall, but it’s one of those setups where you need to understand how everything is laid out to make the most of it.
Second Row (Captain’s Chairs):
- Each captain’s chair has a full LATCH setup with lower anchors and a top tether anchor
- Great rear-facing clearance: even with the driver seat set for about 6 feet tall, there’s still a couple inches of space
- Seats slide and recline, which helps with getting the right install angle
- Compact car seats are key here: the second row space is a bit limited, so larger/bulkier car seats aren’t the best option if you’re trying to maximize space
Third Row:
- You get two top tether anchors and one set of lower anchors
- That means you can do one full LATCH install back here, plus additional forward-facing seats using tether anchors
- The seats are nice and deep, which actually makes a big difference for secure installs (a lot of third rows are too shallow)
- I was able to install a car seat back here and still had a little bit of clearance, which is not always the case
What’s Challenging:
- No true car seat tilt for third row access with the captain’s chairs
- Center console is not removable, so you can’t create a pass-through
- If you have car seats installed, third row access is basically through the trunk, which can be a hassle
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