2023 Mazda CX-90, a New Three-Row SUV, Spied Testing

A spy photographer has shared with us these images of a couple of camouflaged Mazda CX-90 prototypes testing at high elevations in Colorado.Judging by the third row and large dimensions, we’re confident the disguised mules are the CX-90 and not the two-row Mazda CX-70.The CX-90 prototypes appear to be plug-in hybrids, which should be an option along with a new inline-six engine.

It’s no secret that Mazda is almost ready to introduce the CX-90, a new three-row SUV that’s destined to supplant the current CX-9. Not only have we heard that the 2023 Mazda CX-90 will go into production by the end of this year, but we also recently spied two camouflaged prototypes testing at high elevations in Colorado.

Cory Wolfe

Two-Row CX-70 or Three-Row CX-90?

How do we know the disguised mules in the pictures aren’t the two-row CX-70 model that has also been confirmed for the U.S. market? Well, it’s because if you squint really hard or put your cheaters on you can see that they have a third row. Our spy photographer also pointed out that the camoed SUVs were longer than the published images of the Mazda CX-60, a new two-row model that’s only sold overseas.

While the CX-60 isn’t coming to America, it has Mazda’s new longitudinal-engine layout that will underpin the CX-70 and CX-90, too. Along with sharing a platform, the CX-60 we drove in Europe featured a plug-in-hybrid powertrain that’s expected to be available in both U.S.-bound SUVs. Plus, we already know that the CX-70 and CX-90 will have Mazda’s new straight-six engine.

This CX-90 Is Probably a Plug-In Hybrid

Judging by the separate fuel doors on both sides, the CX-90 prototypes we spied are plug-in models, meaning they probably have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor between the engine and eight-speed transmission. A 17.8-kWh battery pack is found on the CX-60. We can’t say for sure, but the CX-90 PHEV’s combined output should be around 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

Cory Wolfe

Ready For the CX-90 Reveal

Sure, the camouflaged CX-90s don’t really tell us anything we didn’t already know, but they do provide our first real-world glimpse of the mid-size SUV in motion. Obviously, the camo does a good job of disguising its design details, but we think it’ll look like an oversize CX-50, which is a good thing. Now we just have to wait until Mazda reveals the real deal in the coming months.

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