This three-row luxury SUV promises Escalade-level comfort at a lower entry price, and the cabin genuinely delivers, plush materials, spacious seating, intuitive controls. But the 2022-2024 models carry a troubling pattern: transmission seizures before 40k miles, electrical failures that strand owners, and service waits stretching into months. One mechanic's warning about a third transmission failure in two weeks tells you what dealership techs see daily. Depreciation is brutal, reflecting market awareness of these issues. The 2026 refresh brings a new inline-6 engine that may address some problems, but lacks real-world proof. If you're leasing short-term, the comfort might justify the risk. If you're buying, the Expedition and Tahoe offer similar space without the reliability gamble.
Mazda built this two-row SUV to deliver luxury materials and a punchy inline-six at thousands below German pricing, but the brand-new platform wasn't ready for showrooms. Rear brakes squeal so persistently that Mazda extended the warranty and redesigned the pads, yet parts remain backordered six months out. Radiators crack at 17,000 miles. Rattles infiltrate the cabin after 20,000. MotorTrend's yearlong tester called it one of their worst long-term vehicles, citing quality lapses that shouldn't exist at $50,000. The CX-90 costs the same, adds a third row, and shares these same problems. If you want Mazda's excellent driving feel without the early-adopter tax, wait for the second model year or choose the CX-50 Hybrid, which uses Toyota's proven powertrain instead of this troubled architecture. Skip this one unless steep discounts compensate for likely warranty visits.