Compare the2024 BMW XMVS 2024 Mazda CX-90

The XM’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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XM has standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the XM 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 and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 851 to 1385 pounds more than the Mazda CX-90. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-90.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mazda.

The XM has more powerful engines than the CX-90:

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW XM (base engine) is faster than the Mazda CX-90:

The XM can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 31 miles, up to 10% further than the CX-90 PHEV‘s -mile range on a full charge and a full tank of fuel. The CX-90 PHEV has to start its internal combustion engine after only 26 miles.

The XM’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.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-90:

The XM stops much shorter than the CX-90:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the CX-90 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 265/55R19).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-90’s standard 55 series tires. The XM’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the CX-90. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the CX-90 Premium/Turbo S.

The XM has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The CX-90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The XM offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mazda doesn’t offer an active suspension on the CX-90.

The XM 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 XM handles at .92 G’s, while the CX-90 Premium Plus pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the XM has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-90 (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XM’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the XM 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.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the XM is quieter than the CX-90 Premium Plus:

The XM has .7 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear legroom than the CX-90.

The XM has a much larger cargo volume than the CX-90 with its rear seat up (18.6 vs. 14.9 cubic feet).

The XM’s cargo area is larger than the CX-90’s in almost every dimension:

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

The XM’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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the CX-90 Premium/Turbo S, the XM has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The XM’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 XM and the CX-90 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the XM 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 XM 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 XM’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.

The XM has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium.

The XM has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-90.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW XM has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CX-90.

The XM’s 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.