Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2023 Volvo XC90

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CX-90 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The XC90 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the CX-90 and the XC90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-90 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-90’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 76 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 14th.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XC90 running its gasoline engine:

Both the CX-90 and the XC90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All CX-90s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC90 Recharge doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-90 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on CX-90 PHEV for maximum performance). The XC90 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the XC90 (265/55R19 vs. 235/55R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the XC90 (122.8 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-90 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the XC90.

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the XC90’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The CX-90 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the XC90 can only carry 7.

The CX-90 has 37.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC90 (141.6 vs. 103.8).

The CX-90 has .8 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room, .6 inches more third row headroom and 6.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

The CX-90’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The CX-90’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The CX-90 has a standard locking fuel and charge port door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XC90 doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-90 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The CX-90 Premium Plus has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The XC90 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.