Hiroyuki Sanada is a Japanese actor that has starred in films like Bullet Train and The Last Samurai. Sanada is internationally known thanks to his talents and key roles in action films. The characters he plays are often stoic, so seeing him excited about Mazda’s new midsize SUV really struck a chord with many viewers. Watch Sanada interact with the new Mazda CX-90 in the video below.

2024 Mazda CX-90 revealed

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is a sporty midsize SUV that represents a lot of firsts for Mazda. It’s the first midsize SUV to offer this degree of power, thanks to a V6 engine. It is also the first midsize Mazda plug-in hybrid.

The midsize SUV segment is incredibly competitive, and the CX-9 just doesn’t do enough to stand out against rivals. It’s a classy and comfy midsize SUV, but the CX-9 isn’t a true Kia Telluride rival. The CX-90 offers more seating (and hopefully more cabin and cargo space). It should have better driving dynamics based on the engine specs presented in its reveal.

The CX-90 is a different kind of family SUV that directly competes against the Kia Telluride, along with the top of its vehicle segment. It’s bolder than the CX-9 and a welcome addition to the Mazda portfolio in the eyes of many consumers.

Is the Mazda CX-90 better than the CX-9?

The Mazda CX-90 has different qualities than the CX-9. The Mazda CX-50 and CX-5 have a similar relationship.

The CX-50 has not replaced the CX-5. In fact, both small SUVs work together to give Mazda more control over small SUV rankings because they’re so different from each other. The CX-5 is a classy small SUV with engaging driving dynamics. The Mazda CX-50 is slightly more expensive, larger, and more rugged.

Expect the 2024 Mazda CX-90 to coexist with the CX-9 by bringing something totally new and different to the marketplace from its predecessor. There’s no word on whether or not the CX-5 and CX-9 will get the axe somewhere down the line, but the Japanese automaker seems to be applying a divide-and-conquer approach by producing more SUVs that appeal to different target audiences. You may not love the CX-9 as a midsize SUV buyer, so the CX-90 offers a different ownership experience and vice versa.

It’s too early to say that the Mazda CX-90 is better or worse than the CX-9. It certainly is something different that hints at Mazda’s ambitions for the future.

How much does the 2024 Mazda CX-90 cost?

Mazda has yet to release pricing information for its new midsize SUV. Let’s use the CX-9 as a benchmark to make a conservative estimate. The 2023 Mazda CX-9 starts at $38,750. There’s an $850 price difference between the 2023 Mazda CX-50 and the 2023 Mazda CX-5.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 will likely start between $40,000- $42,000. Kelley Blue Book estimates a starting price of around $41,000. It could start as high as $45K, but a $40,000 starting price would put it in a good position to compete with the Kia Telluride and other popular three-row SUV models. Factor in different trim levels, and the CX-90 could range between $40,000-$55,000, depending on the trim level. Expect the 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV to start over $50,000 due to the complexity of its powertrain system.

Let us know what you think about the new Mazda CX-90 in the comment section below.