Compare the2023 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2024 Mazda CX-90

The X5 xDrive45e’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-90 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 xDrive45e has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the X5 xDrive45e and the CX-90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e weighs 403 to 937 pounds more than the Mazda CX-90. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 xDrive45e the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CX-90 has not been tested, yet.

The X5 xDrive45e comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-90’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X5 xDrive45e’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-90’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 xDrive45e for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-90.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated lower.

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

The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 109 more horsepower (389 vs. 280) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 332) than the CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 66 more horsepower (389 vs. 323) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 369) than the CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 49 more horsepower (389 vs. 340) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 369) than the CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The X5 xDrive45e’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CX-90 doesn’t offer launch control.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-90’s standard 55 series tires. The X5 xDrive45e’s optional 275/40R21 front and 315/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X5 xDrive45e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The CX-90 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-90’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 xDrive45e’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The CX-90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For greater off-road capability the X5 xDrive45e has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-90 (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the X5 xDrive45e to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5 xDrive45e’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches).

The X5 xDrive45e is 6.5 inches shorter than the CX-90, making the X5 xDrive45e easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the X5 xDrive45e uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 xDrive45e has 1.1 inches more front headroom and .8 inches more front shoulder room than the CX-90.

The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume than the CX-90 with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 14.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5 xDrive45e’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers the X5 xDrive45e’s optional third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-90 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X5 xDrive45e. The CX-90 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-90’s (5952 vs. 3500 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 10% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the X5 xDrive45e and the CX-90 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X5 xDrive45e is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-90 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the X5 xDrive45e the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-90 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X5 xDrive45e’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-90’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 xDrive45e to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-90 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X5 xDrive45e offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-90.

The X5 xDrive45e’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CX-90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.