The 2024 Mazda CX-90 and the 2024 Buick Enclave are two examples of midsize three-row SUVs. Three-row SUVs are the next logical step as your family progresses. Perhaps you've got another child on the way or a set of elderly parents moving in. Choosing a midsize three-row SUV is a great purchase decision. These vehicles have ample seating capacity, varying cargo configurations, and many tech features.
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is an all-new model that takes over from the Mazda CX-9. It features a premium interior, refreshed exterior styling, and fresh powertrains. How does it compare with the 2024 Buick Enclave, which also offers luxury refinements? Let’s have a Mazda vs. Buick showdown to find out. We’ll look at each three-row SUV’s interior appointments, performance specifications, and safety suites to find out.
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 can seat up to eight occupants across three rows of seating. Meanwhile, the 2024 Buick Enclave’s maximum seating capacity is seven. Buyers can pick second-row captain chairs for either three-row SUV. This will reduce seating capacity to seven in the 2024 CX-90 and six in the 2024 Enclave. The captain chair option removes the second-row bench and replaces it with two comfortable and individually adjustable second-row seats. The 2024 CX-90 even allows you to choose an optional second-row center console to pair with the captain chairs. This center console offers additional storage as well.
Stepping into the 2024 Mazda CX-90, you’ll notice its fresh interior design and upscale, premium ambiance. Lower trims get high-grade fabric or leather upholstery, but higher trims gain soft Nappa leather. The dashboard also receives fabric upholstery for a more luxurious feel, and buyers can select from wood trim options. On the other hand, the 2024 Enclave offers leather upholstery on higher trims.
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 has a standard digital instrument cluster. Lower trims get a 7-inch unit, while higher trims upgrade to a 12.3-inch unit. In terms of smartphone connectivity, both three-row SUVs come with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. They also include Bluetooth® connectivity. The 2024 Enclave comes with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on all trims, while the 2024 CX-90 offers a 10.3 or 12.3-inch unit, depending on trim selection.
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 has the brand’s all-new 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine. It is the first Mazda vehicle to use this new power plant. The engine’s output varies depending on trim selection. Regular trims provide 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The S trims deliver 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Furthermore, the powertrain features a 48-volt mild hybrid system consisting of a 16-horsepower electric motor that can provide 113 pound-feet of torque.
All trims get an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are present for manual gear selection. Mazda’s i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system is standard and tuned for a rearward bias. Independent testing has revealed that the 2024 CX-90 has refined road manners and athletic handling. It can do 0-60 in 6.3 seconds. Thus, this SUV will appeal to enthusiastic drivers as well.
Mazda also offers a hybrid variant called the 2024 CX-90 Hybrid, which uses a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 17.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The system can provide up to 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. As a plug-in hybrid, it can be charged via a 120-volt home socket or a 240-volt outlet. The all-electric range of the 2024 CX-90 Hybrid is 26 miles.
The 2024 Buick Enclave has a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine that outputs 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It is connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission and drives the front wheels. However, buyers can opt for all-wheel drive. Testers also found that the 2024 Enclave offers a comfortable ride but isn’t suited for sporty driving. There’s also no hybrid variant available.
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 has blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking as standard. All trims also get rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, and a full suite of airbags. The 2024 Enclave has some of these features as standard, but others are optional.
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is the better three-row SUV, beating the 2024 Buick Enclave in every one of our evaluation criteria. It has a more pleasant and better-equipped interior. Moreover, this Mazda SUV offers a punchy powertrain with athletic handling that will please keen drivers. Finally, it has more standard safety equipment.
Visit Keffer Mazda in Huntersville, NC, to test-drive the 2024 CX-90 and experience it yourself. See you soon.
