Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Buick Enclave

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-90 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-90 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

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 Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Enclave doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the Enclave.

Both the CX-90 and Enclave have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Enclave’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The CX-90’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Enclave doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-90 and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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 available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-90 is safer than the Enclave:

	CX-90	Enclave
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	104	141
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	446 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.22 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	18	189
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	1.22 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	825 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Enclave is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The CX-90’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Enclave’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 5 places higher in reliability than Buick.

Engine

The CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 13 more horsepower (323 vs. 310) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 30 more horsepower (340 vs. 310) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Buick Enclave:

	CX-90	Enclave
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.8 MPH	84.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
CX-90
	AWD	3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/28 hwy
		Turbo S 3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/28 hwy
Enclave
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Enclave can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Enclave doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-90 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port which lock and unlock with the power locks. The Enclave doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	CX-90	CX-90 Turbo S/PHEV	Enclave
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	13.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13.8 inches	12.4 inches

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the Enclave:

	CX-90	Enclave
70 to 0 MPH	166 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Enclave (265/55R19 vs. 255/65R18). The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Enclave (275/45R21 vs. 255/65R18).

The CX-90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Enclave’s standard 65 series tires. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Enclave’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Enclave. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Enclave.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Enclave (122.8 inches vs. 120.9 inches).

The CX-90’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.7% to 48.3%) than the Enclave’s (57% to 43%). This gives the CX-90 more stable handling and braking.

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .85 G’s, while the Enclave Essence pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-90 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Enclave Avenir (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Enclave’s (38.1 feet vs. 39 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the Enclave (8.1 vs. 7.5 inches).

Chassis

The CX-90 is 4 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the CX-90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

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

The CX-90 has .5 inches more front legroom and 1.1 inches more rear legroom than the Enclave.

Towing

The CX-90’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the CX-90 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Enclave doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Enclave. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The CX-90’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The CX-90’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Enclave’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Enclave doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 Enclave doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

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