2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the vehicle stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-tech and luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport featured premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its sleek design. The interior boasted Windsor leather upholstery, adding to the sense of luxury.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90, on the other hand, presented a bold step forward for Mazda in terms of design and material quality, positioning itself closer to luxury brands. The CX-90's exterior design drew inspiration from smaller Mazda models but was supersized to create an imposing presence. With a length of over 200 inches, the CX-90 featured a prominent grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels, all contributing to its elegant yet commanding appearance. Inside, the top-tier models offered an interior that rivaled luxury brands, with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents. The CX-90's interior was free from tackiness, and its design language and comfortable layout were consistent across all trims. The vehicle was available in 11 different trims, with various powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid and a performance-oriented Turbo S model.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The SUV's fuel efficiency was notable, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, and it averaged 22.3 mpg on the evaluation route. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on twisty roads.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and an all-new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The Turbo S model delivered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel, while the base turbo I6 offered 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. All CX-90 models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 Turbo S had three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road. In Sport mode, the engine produced an exceptional roar, but the transmission occasionally exhibited inconsistent behavior. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It offered an all-electric range of 26 miles and an estimated 56 MPGe in combined driving. Both CX-90 models excelled in handling, with a double-wishbone front suspension and transverse engine layout contributing to agility in tight corners. The CX-90's driving experience was reminiscent of Mazda's reputation for building outstanding driver's cars.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport featured various storage compartments, including a deep bin under the center armrest and a second bin under the sliding cupholder tray.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, with the lowest-level trims accommodating eight passengers and mid-level trims featuring captain's chairs. The Turbo S model had a two-seat third row, providing slightly more cargo space. The CX-90 offered 75.2 cubic feet of total cargo space in models with a two-seater third row, with 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row and 40.1 cubic feet behind the second. The CX-90's cargo capacity was an improvement over the CX-9 but fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. The interior featured ample storage options, including a large center console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. The CX-90's materials and upholstery were of high quality, and the panoramic sunroof added to the sense of comfort.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with features difficult to access. The Range Rover Sport's native digital assistant struggled with voice commands, and the system's overall performance was disappointing. On a positive note, the SUV offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 prioritized safety by eliminating distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment software, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to reduce distraction, the system's quirks and idiosyncrasies often led to frustration. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition to adjust settings automatically. The vehicle came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls available for these systems. The CX-90's technology setup aimed to enhance safety while providing familiar connectivity options.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control with steering assist was slow to respond and not as smooth as expected, while the steering assist technology was dissatisfactory, especially on freeway curves.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 featured the i-Activsense suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus model included cruising and traffic support, which blended lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. The CX-90's safety technology performed well, and while it had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, it was expected to perform well based on the CX-9's previous ratings.