My son still drives a 2011 Mazda 3 5 door. The thing is still going strong and he drives it like a sports car. Told me my 2018 Nissan Murano is too "floaty" 😂
I had to 626’s and two Millenias in the 90’s and early 2000’s. There was a time when Mazda was going to split off and make a luxury division like Honda and Toyota but that never really materialized. They have the gravitas to do so even now. If Hyundai can do it with Genesis I don’t see why Mazda couldn’t do it. This would be a good starting point,
Agreed. CX-90 has more class than the Telluride which is just a nicely appointed budget bus. Whatever the case, some factors are missing and/or mispointed. These guys are pretty good but definitely have room to improve.
2 of the 3 things ur considering is pretty irrelevant in this segment. Stop using ur performance/driving experience prioritized mindset to rate large family subs. That's idiotic as hell.
I currently have a 2020 CX9 and love it. I've owned several premium vehicles including BMW's, MBZ's, Audi, Acura, Lincoln, Toyota's and the Mazda has been the best overall and zero problems in 50k mi. The CX90 will likely be my next vehicle.
I am a CX5 owner and have absolutely loved it since the moment I got it! I am leaning towards the CX 90 and one important reason for me is that you can place two child safety seats in the third row because it has the proper tethering hooks on the back of the seat. The telluride has two hooks, but one of them is in the tiny center seat, making it impossible to place two full-size car seats right next to each other. My goal is to carry my grandchildren in the third row and still have room for other family members comfortably in the second row. I’m driving the CX 90 today and can’t wait! Thank you for this great review.
I checked 2 kia dillerships, and both wanted 8k on top of mrsp price and some useless packages on top of it. So mazda end up quite a bit cheaper to buy.
Wow, they are still marking up vehicles? Idiots that are paying these “mark ups”. The days of these mark ups will be coming to an end. Interests rates are too high right now. Not the best time to purchase a new vehicle.
@ZipNoBluff I forgot to mention that I live in Canada. It might be different in the US, but still I was very unpleasantly surprised when the manager started pushing story that they were selling fewer vehicles due to supply shortage and he needs to keep the business running.
It might have been a better comparison to compare the Cx-90 to the MDX. I'm still amazed what kind of interior you get on the Kia. It's almost like Honda designers said. "We give up" when they designed the new Pilot. While nicer than the old Pilot. It's still playing second fiddle in the band. Not good for a brand-new design.
I feel the same way about every new Honda except the Civic. The Accords is ok but the rest of Honda/Acuras new interior feel built to a price…the Integras interior is a travesty. It’s 95 percent Civic
This comparison is a bit odd, the Telluride is way better than the CX-90 on paper although there are features that Mazda has the advantage to the Telluride but was missed out to mention, like the Driver personalization and turning radius. The comments of your audience is completely the opposite, they favored if not most of them to the XC-90. Me too, would prefer the CX-90 all the way whatever advantage the Telluride has it.👍
Reliability is an important issue and the warrantee is a bit deceptive. The reason Kia has such an extended warrantee is experience has shown that consumers will need it and certainly use it during that time. I really like both of the Kia/Hyundai SUV twins but the Mazda, built in Japan has really raised the bar on this segment. The state of the art factory it is built in has also raised the bar on fit and finish to an almost unheard of level, leapfrogging even Lexus. The panel tolerances from nose to tail beat the very best from Lexus and that is saying something. This does not happen by accident and shows a massive effort on the part of Mazda to be a world class quality manufacturer. If they show the same attention to the powertrain and other components we may see Mazda at the very top of the JD Powers ranking throughout their model range in a few years. Personally I think the Mazda styling is pleasant but the Korean Twins are more interesting. Still I am very impressed with this new Mazda.
You are so simpleminded u don't even understand what longer warranty entails. Companies with issues won't provide long warranties since they will go bankrupt. Also basically the entire car is new for cx90 and it has a turbo engine. Youre so cluelessshould just refrain from opening ur mouth.
So the conclusion i’ve come down to is that CX-90 really focuses on luxury and powerful while the telluride aims to be premium but also be very spacious as well.
I was shopping for knife. Cheap overpriced undesirable knife from China comes with 5 year warranty. Quality knife from Japan comes with 10 year warranty. Mazda comes with 5 year warranty which even poorest Quality car comes with. Hyundai-Kia comes with godly 10 year warranty! Twice more reliable than Mazda! Until Mazda proves its quality with 10 year warranty, Mazda is just an overpriced undesirable junk.
The Telluride aims to be a disposal, FWD 💩box with an interior that’s nice enough and a warranty long enough to sucker people buying their colossally inferior product
@@BC08 that’s the thing about the Korean companies. Nice features and interior, no reliability and definitely made to last till warranty expires. The Mazda despite being a mild hybrid will go past warranty.
Lol it some many lies on here Kia reliability has pass Honda and Toyota Lexus. It's more older models still running. Stop the cap. America makes shitty cars and now the trucks are crappy overpriced junk.
The Mazda 340HP in its base trim (Turbo S) is my choice for best overall value at $51,750. Also has better acceleration, MPG and looks versus the Telluride IMO.
Yes, the Kia is less costly, but for me, I'd still choose the Mazda. RWD, turbo inline 6, and a luxury interior environment in both look, feel, and function help to understand some of the cost differences. Then there is the driving experience that erases any doubt which is the better. The 2023 Telluride's styling is less premium, IMHO, than the '22.
I think ya'll should have waited until you could test drive a base 3.3T Premium Plus against a Telluride and do the comparison again with cars on the same roads at the same time. No doubt the Telliuride is roomier and a better valiue, but I just dont buy a 6 point spread between the two. When the magazines do a comparison we'll see if the Telluride remains on top. As someone who has owned a Palisade and has driven the new Mazda CX90 3.3T Premium Plus my money is on the Mazda...it feels more refined, it has better interior materials than the Palisade (which has always been nicer on the inside than the Telliuride) and it will probably be faster and get better MPG. Ill give up a bit of space for higher refinement, better materials, better looks (the pre-facelift Telluride looked better than the facelift IMO), better handling and Mazda reliability. The areas where Mazda dropped the ball for me are infotainment and the lack of a remote engine start feature on the key fob. Telluride just looks dorky in comparison to the new CX90.
Definitely CX-90 is superior to Telluride. More stylish, faster in 0-60, better fuel economy and agile handling. Only less is cargo capacity. If you want a wagon that can carry more stuff, then go Telluride.
Both are very nice, but personally I would choose the Mazda. It just looks so upscale and high class. Mazda's been killing it! I really hope they put this engine and adjust the tuning to make a kick ass Mazda 6
Telluride is the choice if you NEED a 3 row. Mazda is the choice if you just want those extra seats in a pinch. That inline 6 is amazing!! 🙌🏾 Are they still making a 2 row - CX-70 I heard at one point?
The Telluride is incredibly good, especially considering that it’s been on the market for a few years. A better match price-wise for the Telluride is the CX-90 Premium Plus, which comes in at about $54k. But the margin of victory would have been even greater for the Telluride. Phenomenal job by Kia! The Kia advantage that matters to me is the seat comfort. The thigh extenders, a major Mazda omission, make a huge difference, especially on long drives. At the end of the day, though, I would go with the Mazda because it looks more special. In typical Kia/Hyundai fashion, the refresh has made the Telluride less attractive. Those amber DRLs were so emblematic of the SX, but Kia got rid of them. The previous SX wheels also looked better, even though I am not a fan of black wheels. Finally, the steering wheel of the Telluride is a big deterrent for me. I still have not gotten used to its design. So, as great as the Telluride is, my choice is the CX-90.
You're 100% right. I have the thigh extenders on my 2019 Kia Sorento SX and I never really thought much of them until I tried them. Now I won't buy another vehicle that doesn't have them.
I agree, the steering wheel on Telluride is vague and not communicative. Kia vehicles I drove in the past had better steering and subsequently felt lot more sportive. For me, that numb steering in telluride kills the advantage in smartly utilized interior space on a telluride.
Why award Teluride all those extra points in the end when we all know that buyers easily pay $10k over msrp at the dealer. At that point, Turbo Cx-90 Premium plus @ $52k is a better buy, even with 280hp engine.
That’s the entire issue I have with the whole comparison. It was blatantly obvious at the end when those extra points were added that a better comparison would have been to wait on the base 3.3 Premium Plus trim. Just seems like they rushed to get a comparison out just to have one out instead of properly comparing trim levels that compete with each other better
I think if the CX-90 is a hit and becomes an in-demand vehicle, Mazda will be marking them up like the Telluride. Dealers can’t help themselves. I bought my 2021 Rav4 Prime for MSRP in 2021 when it came out and qualified for the $7,500 tax credit. Many Toyota dealerships didn’t know what they had on their hands with the Rav4 Prime when it came out in 2021. Fast forward two years later, the same dealer is selling any of their rare Rav4 Prime vehicles that they receive at $10,000 over MSRP. I believe that’s the average over MSRP for Rav4 Prime vehicles at the moment.
The refreshed fascia of the Telluride is worse looking than before. The new headlights are nicer. Overall, the CX-90 is more upscale looking, both interior and exterior, than the Telluride. The Telluride looks somewhat outdated now. The CX-90 wins this comparison easily when ride handling, power, fit and finish are considered. By the way, there was another TH-cam video in which the reviewer measured body panel gaps. He said it's the tightest (between 2.8 to 3.3 mm) and most consistent throughout the whole vehicle he's measured, including many of the high-end luxury ones. That fact alone speaks volume about the build quality of the new CX-90.
I owned a Telluride before and the fuel economy was mediocre especially with my mainly local driving (about 18mpg). I would have chosen the CX90 PHEV all the way if I am given a choice between these two. In full disclosure I currently own a Kia Sorento PHEV prestige AWD with 68.5 mpg which is hard to beat.
How do u like your Sorento. I have a 2019 model and I really like the new model but I'm concern about the 4 cylinder being too weak for the size. Is it loud?
My Telluride of choice is the SX Prestige X-Line. Mazda offers so many powertrain options that this top trim higher performance CX-90 is hard to beat though. I'm curious to see how the lower trim 280hp CX-90 motor competes vs the Telluride's 3.8 V6.
I love the comparison videos you create. This comparison was really fun for me (I'm in the hunt to replace my 2022 Limited Tucson Hybrid with a 3-row). Although a long way out, I've deposited $500 with my local Toyota dealer to get my name on their list for a Grand Highlander. My heart is passionate about the CX-90 but pricing and smaller cargo space (will use as a work vehcle) keeps me engaged to the Grand. I expect the Grand to have a mpg rating in the low 30s and pricing to be comparable (?).
The CX 90 still has 332 pound feet of torque at 280 HP. It’s very quick. Compared to a dated old naturally aspirated V6 that makes, what, 260 pound feet? Not even close. And then there’s the gas mileage. Again, not close. You’re gonna struggle to get 20 mpg combined with the Kia. It’s a mid size gas guzzler. My 2016 Highlander Limited with the V6 does better than that.
Great video guys. 1 critic, the scores kind of need a weight measurement like you did with the price. Warranty means more to 99.9% of people than adaptive headlights, same goes for fuel economy. Thanks.
The top trims Tellurides go above MSRP. CX-90 is rear wheel drive based, has an inline 6, has a more beautiful interior, and probably has better materials( I obviously can't confirm yet) and is more fuel efficient. That makes the Mazda the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.
I agree with your assessment. I purchased a 2024 Telluride October 10, 2023 after only having the truck for 10 days the transmission went out. In the process of Kia purchasing the truck back. I should’ve gone with the Mazda in the first place.
I suspect there won’t be much cross shopping between the two. The CX-90 seems to be more akin to the Acura MDX, the Turbo S as a discount Type S of sorts.
I suspect there won't be much cross-shopping because people won't see $9,000 worth of advantage to buy the Mazda. Even before this review got to price, the Kia was already 2 points ahead of the Mazda, and that was despite the Mazda's healthy power difference. Comparing the Mazda to the MDX is one of a few scenarios: 1) admission that the all-new Pilot is woefully unprepared to compete with the all-new CX-90, 2) downgrading the premium Acura brand to a competitor with mainstream Mazda, or 3) mainstream Mazda is punching above its weight class thinking they can bring a $50K vehicle to the premium segment where everything else (e.g. Lexus, Audi, Volvo, Acura, Cadillac, etc.) is actually a luxury brand. No other make is trying to sell their mainstream brand as a upscale brand. The last to try (VW in the early 00s) ended up with cars that everyday buyers found unnecessarily expensive, albeit more interesting, and they ended up dumbing-down their vehicles to today's mediocre Atlas or Tiguan.
@@doug6191 I definitely believe the CX-90 to be an Amati offering in an alternate universe. So comparisons with Acura/Infiniti /Cadillac/Volvo are more than logical in this context. The only downside is a ‘pedestrian’ marque. The Pilot as always will sell just fine in its current state no matter how short it may be on features vs CX-90/Telluride/Palisade, likely for the simple fact that it’s a Honda product. I’m a Honda/Acura buyer and have been for the last two decades. That said I like Mazda and hope they do well with this product.
As far as I'm concerned, better gas mileage offsets a lot of initial cost. Also, it's a small thing, but having to plug in my phone in order to connect it to the media system is something that would irritate me every time I got in the vehicle. No excuse for that in 2023.
I prefer the Telluride and so do most drivers since dealerships can’t keep them on the lot. Been the one of the best selling 3rd row family suv for 3 years in a row. The standard tech you get on the Telluride alone like the blind spot mirror image on the dash is hands down the best safety feature. Also the touchscreen is amazing. Mazda disabling the touchscreen feature when the car is in drive is very lame like a baby sitter. Also the warranty on the Telluride is amazing since the car starts almost $10k less than the Mazda. I don’t trust Mazda’s turbo charged engine for long term reliability. The more traditional v6 engine is better all around. No wonder the Telluride is outselling the Pilot, the Highlander etc all traditional giants in the segment. All Mazda SUVs look identical but KIA crossovers all have a different identity both in the exterior and interior.
Engine and interior alone puts the CX-90 ahead. I think many will prefer the upscale exterior look of the CX-90. As far as the comparisons to the competitors. The CX-90 is the top of the heap in this segment as far as looks and feel. It seems that the Pilot would lead in terms of usability for families in general. I think the Telluride is right in the middle of both the Pilot and CX-90. Not having the utility of the Pilot or then upscale luxury of the CX-90.
yeah I agree my top 2 are the Pilot and the CX90, I would argue that the Pilot is more reliable since its an NA V6 but the mazda is build in Japan. Also Mazda has no luxury brand so they don't nerf any cars to sell the luxury models unlike with the Pilot. An MDX advance or Type S would be a better competitor to the Top trim CX90 yet reviewers still compare it with a mid trim trailsport pilot which is kinda stupid. Still I think the CX90 beats the MDX and Pilot slightly
@@mrcactus245 The CX90 has an edge over the regular MDX but falls short of the Type S. With the Air suspension and SH-AWD the Acura has the advantage. Also the CX90 only has 14 way power adjustments to the drivers side whereas the MDX Type S Advance has message feature and 16 way adjustments for driver and passenger sides but those features come at a $12K premiums over the CX90.
Yeah but nobody is buying Mazda 😂😂😂. Something is wrong with them. Stay away. Hyundai-Kia is world's 3rd largest automaker, challenging Toyota for #1. Buy what others are buying!
The biggest factor has to be reliability and overall quality. The cx90 being built in the most reliable plant and in Japan makes it significantly better than the kia.
That must be the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard anyone say. Are you 12 years old? It’s an all new platform, engines, and trans. Expect problems to be present 100%. I’ve never ever in my life have heard about a ground up new vehicle redesign being reliable. Especially in comparison to a car that has been proven to have a reliable trans and engine.
Mazda is a loser that can barely sell any cars. Sometime wrong with them. Hyundai-Kia is world's 3rd largest automaker, challenging Toyota for #1. Go with the winner!
I totally disagree with the Mazda system being "more difficult." In fact, after coming from many different touch systems, the Mazda infotainment system might be rated at the top (including ahead of luxury brands like BMW's i system). It's fluid, buttery smooth and easy to navigate SAFELY while driving.
I’m 6’2, went to test drive the cx90 and it was uncomfortable for me. Tried varies positions and it all resulted in my knees being uncomfortable while driving. With the telluride, it was much comfortable. Advise for anyone wanting a telluride and want to avoid the mark up, I got my ex x-line at msrp and paid 1300 for a third party delivery. Newark Kia was the location I got it from
You raise a good point. From most videos I’ve watched, pretty much every journalist has said that the CX-90 is now the best vehicle in the segment. That’s said, at the end of the day, you should buy the best vehicle for YOU. If the Telluride fits you better, then in your case it’s the better vehicle. Simple as that. 😊
Good review albeit a little biased in my opinion . Love them both, but it’s Mazda for me! As for me I prefer the style & luxury of Mazda, where you two look much better in a Kia in my view. Lol. That’s is to say at this point in your life I don’t see you driving a CX-90. Different demographic I guess.🤷🏾♂️
For the most part, this is a quantitative type of comparison: you have it, you don't have it, or you have more of it. This type of analysis has its place for sure. I just don't like the idea of giving the Telluride an extra 0.5 pt for every $1000 the CX-90 was more expensive. So what would be the Telluride's point total if you compared it to a Land Rover or an X7?
Feel free to ignore that value section at the end. The emphasis everyone puts on money will be different. We're just doing our best to adjust in a reasonable way.
@@CarConfections As one other mentioned. I think comparing the CX-90's Turbo Premium Plus trim (instead of the Turbo S Premium Plus trim) would be a bit more accurate. As the Premium Plus Is much closer in price and you have almost all of the features as the S Premium Plus (just a dip in horsepower/torque). But it's ~5-6k cheaper.
That's what I thought of because there are features of the CX-90 that wasn't mentioned like the driver's personalization that only Mazda has it in the mainstream brand or even some German brand hasn't.
Telluride might be a good vehicle, but I am just not attracted to it. The front end is pedestrian looking, bland, just no style to it...and for those reasons it was not on my list when I was in the market three months ago. Number one on my list was the QX60, but I also did like the CX9 but I wanted a V6. I ended up with the MDX, although it wasn'tmy first choice. While not as luxury looking on the exterior, I fell in love with the cockpit sensation when I was behind the wheel of the MDX, a feeling I didn't get in the QX60. And the MDX had enough blend of sporty and attractive exterior that satisfied me. I also added a couple exterior accessories to it that elevated its exterior look. As of yet, I have not seen another MDX in my area that has these accessories on them. So for now, I fel unique. As for the CX90, it is too bubbly for my taste. It has a bloated look. Needs some more angles to truly make it special. It it had the front end of the CX9 it would be a winner. I love the CX9 with its stately appearance. I am always doing a double take when one drives by.
Thanks for the high-quality video, but your scoring system needs to reflect important factors like fuel economy or engine power. For example, having a few more chair adjustment buttons equals more than 40 horsepower. It is better to set an appropriate weight for each parameter to have fair comparison scores.
Beyond the hype of a new product... I've owned several Mazda through the years and was waiting for the CX-90 for the past three years. After test driving both cars myself over the weekend I can tell that as nice the Cx-90 looks, it is overpriced compared to what the Telluride, Palisade, Pilot and Pathfinder offer, with less features than the Koreans and much less space than any of these. Aside from the 6 cylinder engine, this SUV in base trim better compares to the Kia Sorento, and yet the Kia offers much more value... It now has a turbo 6 cylinder engine... Yet it offers the same power as the Koreans' inline 4 cylinder 2.5T. It has a larger information screen, yet it is limited to touchscreen while speed only. It now comes with a panoramic sunroof, yet it is the smallest one in the market. It now has third row vents, yet it blows air to your knees... It is much larger than the CX-9 it replaces, yet it's interior space is the same... Mazda needs to pick a lane as it doesn't compete within it's category , nor matches the BMW performance. Overpriced, even before the ridiculous dealer markups.
it actually is neck and neck with the x5 .. just shy as the x5 has better launch control and cx90 has none. Watch the drag race video. Also you will end up with less problems with the mazda experience and better resale value over the Koreans, that I can guarantee.
I had mazda 3s and cx5 and loved them all. Great handling! The only thing I bought my palisade last year over cx90 was its space. I like rear wheel based car but for 3 row suv, i think the space is more important and cx90 was a little cramped.
Saw a lot of people here trying to decide between the telluride, Highlander and the CX-90. It’s simple, if interior space is your priority, CX-90 would lose every time, as it was never designed to be a minivan alternative. But if you care about design, craftsmanship, driving dynamics, and how all of them come together as a whole, it would literally be an insult to even compare the CX-90 to the highlander, telluride, or even the MDX. Nobody in their right mind, given they know at least a little bit about cars, would compare a RWD inline-6 turbo setup to a bunch of FWD turbo 4 and V6 cars and ask which is better - they are not even in the same league. Can’t believe we are still having this conversation…
No average buyer in their right mind would think about anything you said in this segment. People buy these to haul families, gear, for space, take it soft-roading, etc. Not because it has RWD and a 340hp I6 turbo (but still has a 6+ second 0-60 time which is average for the segment). It’s simple, the Mazda will only appeal to a small audience, especially with loaded models costing 62K. A comparable Telluride SXP costs 52K. Mazda doesn’t offer 10K more performance. It just handles and drives better but lacks a useful 3rd row and ample cargo space. The hybrid CX90 model will be very appealing though if it qualifies for the tax credit. The I6 model and rwd biased chassis doesn’t mean much given its mediocre performance numbers. Audi Q7, Cayenne, Macan, XC90, MDX all do well without rwd and an I6 turbo. Now I personally would buy an CX90 given my enthusiasm in cars. But less than 5% of new car buyers are enthusiasts so I don’t expect the CX90 to be a massive sales hit like the Koreans.
@@ayushmalpeddi2793 nah... literally anyone buying a CX90 cares about 1 or more of drivetrain, handling, interior and overall quality, and reliability
@@ayushmalpeddi2793 "loaded models costing 62K"? No, only ONE loaded S Premium Plus model is 62K. Turbo Premium Plus is 52K and a comparable Telluride SXP costs 52K.
@@ayushmalpeddi2793 yeah and for the vast majority of people that buy Kias and Hyundais are in for a rude awakening. Mechanics can testify of the problems Korean cars have vs Japanese brands unless your talking about Mitsubishi and Nissan that is a different topic because of the generation. For example we are talking about the Mitsubishi and Nissan in the beginning years of the 60s-90s they are more reliable than the French made Japanese cars with the nightmarish CVTs. Again Renault is not the brand people will be buying since France has one of the worst brands in the global market. If China comes to the plain field they would easily replace France, but since they are none existent in the global market there is a reason why nobody in their right minds would buy a made in China car and even if they did rumors and news will spread quickly telling others not to buy the car. Same goes back to Korean cars. They start from a humble beginning and they still couldn’t build proper engines after many attempts. They gave that up and are being supplied by Mitsubishi engines. Yet again Mitsubishi is ran by a French company called Renault. Mechanics have said this once before and continue to say about the problems with Kias and Hyundai. You get what you pay and it will bite you behind the back. Again news spreads quick about Korean cars having poor customer service and maintenance issues. Which in turn it becomes more of a money pit and why Korean cars don’t age well when being sold to other owners.
Great videos. Could you also include highway/city assist features in your comparisons and reviews. I feel like your reviews are more comparable between vesicles, but would like to know more about some features and their usability. ie lane keeping if it actually good or too late to respond/if it centers well in the lane or not, ACC - adaptability on how aggressive or comfortable it is at following cars, if it smoothly breaks or is jerky and brakes too late, lane change assist, etc
Too many points for capacity and storage on the Kia. More subjective points as some people don’t care about the touch screen. I prefer objective metrics such a a smoother inline 6 engine vs the V6. I’m surprise you guys didn’t discuss the performance of the transmissions. The Mazda actually lost a point for having 21 each rims which most people would definitely rather have. I think the curb appeal of the new Mazda is hands down way better as well.
Kia has more to offer than Mazda: 10Y warranty, stylish look, more cargo, 3 seats on the third row compared to 2 seats in Mazda, more legroom in the 2nd and 3rd row compared to Mazda, touch enabled-screen which the Mazda doesn't offer, and you pay 10K cheaper the price for Telluride.
One of these cars feels and drives like a high end German car, even at 10K less than the one you guys compared. One of them is a fake rugged looking grocery getter, for which dealers are brazenly ripping off every soccer mom they can for “market adjustments” way over MSRP. My local dealer has a 44K MSRP Telluride adjusted to 51K. And low 50K ones for almost 60. Anybody who buys one of these during this price gouging is nuts. Meanwhile, the same vehicle without the fake rugged sheet metal across the street at the Hyundai dealership in only gouging people a little bit. Mazda doesn’t allow dealers to sell for over MSRP. That’s the kind of company I would rather deal with. Really the only notable thing better about the Kia IMO is the warranty. And there’s no denying, if you keep a car a long time, that’s a very nice advantage. And with a Kia, you’re probably gonna need it. The real outstanding value in the Mazda is not at 60K. It’s when you keep it 46-50K. The 280 HP is still plenty of power and at that price point there’s nothing that can come close.
I agree with everything you said… except for Mazda not allowing cars to be sold for over MSRP. Every dealer in the Charlotte, NC area had at a minimum a $1,000.00 mark up. The other two dealers had $2000.00 and $3,000.00 mark ups respectively. Which is why I went to Vic Bailey Mazda in Spartanburg, NC and purchased my CX-90 PHEV for $1,000.00 below MSRP & the $500.00 military appreciation. That particular dealer doesn’t do mark ups.
Great review! One thing I might add: the 2023 Telluride is capable of towing up to 5500 pounds this time around. I’d be super stoked if Kia threw in the 3.3L twin turbo engine from the Stinger as a sport centered Telluride trim!!
We have narrowed our search down to these two. And having test driven both, if you care even the slightest bit about driving dynamics, the CX-90 wins hands down. The Telluride simply doesn't have any. Its steering is mushy, acceleration is blah, and it feels every bit its size. In the Telluride, you can't escape that you're driving a soccer mom hauler. The Mazda, on the other hand, has enough oomph in its power train and dynamism in its steering to bring a little joy to the experience--even if the suspension could be a little less harsh (you'll feel the big bumps). As someone who daily drives an Alfa Romeo Giulia, the CX-90 surprisingly didn't feel its size when taking it down winding roads. And even the digital instrument cluster and steering wheel give you that air of sportiness that's just downright nonexistent in the Telluride. It's true that the Telluride is more spacious and more practical and has rugged design cues that I (as well as many others) quite like. And if we are talking about the third row useability, the CX-90 isn't even in the same ballpark. But it's obvious that one company had the driver firmly in front of mind when engineering its SUV, and the other had kids/passengers.
I would take the Mazda over the Telluride as I like the fun to drive characteristics which the rear drive biased platform, powerful inline 6 plus their suspensions setup brings. I'm waiting for the two row CX70 as I have no need for three rows. Should be a little lighter and shorter. Hopefully Mazda will have that to market soon.Supposed to be this year from what I've seen. In addition I like that Mazda has taken a big step up in luxury. Definitely a competitor with Acura and other luxury or near luxury offerings now.
I had a Kia cadenza with the h/k system and it blows Mazdas Bose system (that's in my 2021 cx-9 gt) out of the water. The Harmon kardon system is so much more clear and crisp.
Longetivity should be included here. Even though KIA has 10yrs warranty, you wouldn't want your car ended up being fixed in the dealer for some time and frequently, leaving customer with no car. Which has the better longetivity history between them?
Drove telluride and sorento in march, felt like the sorento had better driving dynamics. 2 weeks ago drove back to back 2023 Carbon Edition CX-9 (wow) and 2024 CX-90 Premium wow. Now this past weekend drove again CX-90 at different dealer and felt just as great. Same day went to test-rive New Nissan Pathfinder (reminded me of Telluride). Yesterday drove again the new telluride X-Pro Prestige (top of the line) and realized it felt big boat (like the nissan Pathfinder) but the pathfinder transmission is so much smoother, better and the different modes. In my opinion I would pick the Nissan Pathfinder for the better bang for the buck then the Mazda CX-9 and wait until the CX-90 comes down a bit in price.
The rating scale is still subjective. 0.5 points for being a few decibels quieter when the human ear can barely pick up the difference. 0.5 point for a powertrain that has 50 more hp and is still more fuel efficient? That's a joke.
A lot of those points given to Telluride are useless comparisons. What's laughable is that Telluride was given more points than CX90 on interior looks 😂
The Telluride has a better more aggressive SUV look vs the Mazda’s .. soccer mom high end station wagon look. I’m not a soccer mom, so I prefer the Telluride.
Telluride drives like a mini van. Both turbo versions on the CX90 drive nice. The transmission doesn't get confused. The telluride got stuck at high revs. The comparison should have been with normal turbo premium plus cx90 to take away price difference. At that point you lose the ventilated rear seats and some cargo space but gain driving characteristics and mpg and wireless android auto and apple car play. Everything else is a wash. The turbo S is just at another level. Way better handling, transmission, power, turning radius. Powered telescoping steering wheel plus seat memory is another massive thing for anyone with multiple drivers of different sizes (90% of 3 row buyers). No stupid black plastic molding on turbo S! There is a reason they charge more for the turbo S. It drives better and looks better. The Turbo S is really going after a different segment. Sorry guys, I like your reviews, but this was a bad comparison. Please redo with non S turbo premium plus cx90.
For me, Mazda gets the nod. Inline 6, performance, MPG, aesthetics. The Telluride, with all due respect, reminds me of a Ford Explorer, and between those two...Kia gets the nod, it just doesn't exude "style." Excellent comparison video!
The fact that the mazda has rear wheel drive platform and longitudinal engine is enough to settle the argument for me, there is no comparison in the first place
Which one I'd buy will probably come down to how much additional dealer markup (ADM) is applied. We know for sure that the Telluride isn't available anywhere close to Monroney... We'll have to see how Mazda dealers go about business. I don't see how Mazda can put very much ADM on top of the Monroney since it's already such an expensive vehicle already. So if hypothetically Mazda does zero ADM and Kia does $5,000 ADM, now the prices are close enough that I'd choose the Mazda as long as I don't need the extra cargo space of the Telluride.
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I'm a Mazda guy used to drive a Mazda 323 back in the days and currently drive a 2013 CX-9 and love it, Mazda did a great job with this CX-90
My son still drives a 2011 Mazda 3 5 door. The thing is still going strong and he drives it like a sports car. Told me my 2018 Nissan Murano is too "floaty" 😂
my 1979 RX-7 is still going!
@@gosman949, roughly how many miles does that have?
I had to 626’s and two Millenias in the 90’s and early 2000’s. There was a time when Mazda was going to split off and make a luxury division like Honda and Toyota but that never really materialized. They have the gravitas to do so even now. If Hyundai can do it with Genesis I don’t see why Mazda couldn’t do it. This would be a good starting point,
@@gosman949 holy crap, no freaking way!
Mazda CX90 wins hands down even against the big names.
Congratulations Mazda.
14.5 to 8 and I'm still taking the Mazda all day long. The power train, driving dynamics and fuel economy are more than enough to settle the score.
Agreed. CX-90 has more class than the Telluride which is just a nicely appointed budget bus. Whatever the case, some factors are missing and/or mispointed. These guys are pretty good but definitely have room to improve.
2 of the 3 things ur considering is pretty irrelevant in this segment. Stop using ur performance/driving experience prioritized mindset to rate large family subs. That's idiotic as hell.
I currently have a 2020 CX9 and love it. I've owned several premium vehicles including BMW's, MBZ's, Audi, Acura, Lincoln, Toyota's and the Mazda has been the best overall and zero problems in 50k mi. The CX90 will likely be my next vehicle.
I am a CX5 owner and have absolutely loved it since the moment I got it! I am leaning towards the CX 90 and one important reason for me is that you can place two child safety seats in the third row because it has the proper tethering hooks on the back of the seat. The telluride has two hooks, but one of them is in the tiny center seat, making it impossible to place two full-size car seats right next to each other. My goal is to carry my grandchildren in the third row and still have room for other family members comfortably in the second row. I’m driving the CX 90 today and can’t wait! Thank you for this great review.
I checked 2 kia dillerships, and both wanted 8k on top of mrsp price and some useless packages on top of it. So mazda end up quite a bit cheaper to buy.
Wow, they are still marking up vehicles? Idiots that are paying these “mark ups”. The days of these mark ups will be coming to an end. Interests rates are too high right now. Not the best time to purchase a new vehicle.
@@genxtechguy yes we are in a recession right now so it's a horrible time to buy a new car. It's a bad financial decision
they still do this in 2023 when the auto market seems to be ready for a cooling down?..
@ZipNoBluff I forgot to mention that I live in Canada. It might be different in the US, but still I was very unpleasantly surprised when the manager started pushing story that they were selling fewer vehicles due to supply shortage and he needs to keep the business running.
It might have been a better comparison to compare the Cx-90 to the MDX. I'm still amazed what kind of interior you get on the Kia. It's almost like Honda designers said. "We give up" when they designed the new Pilot. While nicer than the old Pilot. It's still playing second fiddle in the band. Not good for a brand-new design.
I feel the same way about every new Honda except the Civic. The Accords is ok but the rest of Honda/Acuras new interior feel built to a price…the Integras interior is a travesty. It’s 95 percent Civic
I think Toyota did significant work on interior of GH and got it closer to Korean twins and that would reflect in cost.
And the grand highlander going to push the pilot back down even more down the line
Agreed 100% with everything you said here.
@@curiosityredpill7030, You got a valid point.
This comparison is a bit odd, the Telluride is way better than the CX-90 on paper although there are features that Mazda has the advantage to the Telluride but was missed out to mention, like the Driver personalization and turning radius. The comments of your audience is completely the opposite, they favored if not most of them to the XC-90. Me too, would prefer the CX-90 all the way whatever advantage the Telluride has it.👍
Reliability is an important issue and the warrantee is a bit deceptive.
The reason Kia has such an extended warrantee is experience has shown that consumers will need it and certainly use it during that time.
I really like both of the Kia/Hyundai SUV twins but the Mazda, built in Japan has really raised the bar on this segment. The state of the art factory it is built in has also raised the bar on fit and finish to an almost unheard of level, leapfrogging even Lexus. The panel tolerances from nose to tail beat the very best from Lexus and that is saying something. This does not happen by accident and shows a massive effort on the part of Mazda to be a world class quality manufacturer. If they show the same attention to the powertrain and other components we may see Mazda at the very top of the JD Powers ranking throughout their model range in a few years. Personally I think the Mazda styling is pleasant but the Korean Twins are more interesting. Still I am very impressed with this new Mazda.
You are so simpleminded u don't even understand what longer warranty entails. Companies with issues won't provide long warranties since they will go bankrupt. Also basically the entire car is new for cx90 and it has a turbo engine. Youre so cluelessshould just refrain from opening ur mouth.
So the conclusion i’ve come down to is that CX-90 really focuses on luxury and powerful while the telluride aims to be premium but also be very spacious as well.
I was shopping for knife. Cheap overpriced undesirable knife from China comes with 5 year warranty. Quality knife from Japan comes with 10 year warranty.
Mazda comes with 5 year warranty which even poorest Quality car comes with.
Hyundai-Kia comes with godly 10 year warranty! Twice more reliable than Mazda!
Until Mazda proves its quality with 10 year warranty, Mazda is just an overpriced undesirable junk.
The Telluride aims to be a disposal, FWD 💩box with an interior that’s nice enough and a warranty long enough to sucker people buying their colossally inferior product
@@BC08 that’s the thing about the Korean companies.
Nice features and interior, no reliability and definitely made to last till warranty expires.
The Mazda despite being a mild hybrid will go past warranty.
Lol it some many lies on here Kia reliability has pass Honda and Toyota Lexus. It's more older models still running. Stop the cap. America makes shitty cars and now the trucks are crappy overpriced junk.
The Mazda 340HP in its base trim (Turbo S) is my choice for best overall value at $51,750. Also has better acceleration, MPG and looks versus the Telluride IMO.
Better looks?? 😂😂😂
@@mintchevvv1834yes looks! 😁
Yes, the Kia is less costly, but for me, I'd still choose the Mazda. RWD, turbo inline 6, and a luxury interior environment in both look, feel, and function help to understand some of the cost differences.
Then there is the driving experience that erases any doubt which is the better.
The 2023 Telluride's styling is less premium, IMHO, than the '22.
I actually like the Telluride but if if I could buy either tomorrow I'd get the CX-90. That score ain't changing shit.
I think ya'll should have waited until you could test drive a base 3.3T Premium Plus against a Telluride and do the comparison again with cars on the same roads at the same time. No doubt the Telliuride is roomier and a better valiue, but I just dont buy a 6 point spread between the two. When the magazines do a comparison we'll see if the Telluride remains on top. As someone who has owned a Palisade and has driven the new Mazda CX90 3.3T Premium Plus my money is on the Mazda...it feels more refined, it has better interior materials than the Palisade (which has always been nicer on the inside than the Telliuride) and it will probably be faster and get better MPG. Ill give up a bit of space for higher refinement, better materials, better looks (the pre-facelift Telluride looked better than the facelift IMO), better handling and Mazda reliability. The areas where Mazda dropped the ball for me are infotainment and the lack of a remote engine start feature on the key fob. Telluride just looks dorky in comparison to the new CX90.
In hindsight, we agree. The people have spoken...
Definitely CX-90 is superior to Telluride. More stylish, faster in 0-60, better fuel economy and agile handling. Only less is cargo capacity. If you want a wagon that can carry more stuff, then go Telluride.
The Chevy Traverse offers more boot space for about the same price as the Kia.
Let's be realistic. Mazda is tiny company but Hyundai-Kia is world's 3rd largest, going for #1. Mazda is not going anywhere except down.
Or Honda Pilot. Newer is impressive.
@@CKY1942 that’s right! A little company from Hiroshima , Japan produces such a fantastic car, CX-90 !
Or go Carnival...
Still got to go with the cx-90 from the looks to the driving ability that trumps a lot of the other features.
Both are very nice, but personally I would choose the Mazda. It just looks so upscale and high class. Mazda's been killing it! I really hope they put this engine and adjust the tuning to make a kick ass Mazda 6
$10K more, no for me on that. I’ll rather chose Telluride
@@papaagidi2838 good luck at the service center trying to argue when they say your blown up engine is your fault not them 😂😂
@@NateTrynaMakeMoney good luck when they say your tires off and engine blown are your fault not them 😂😂
This engine and platform would make a wicked Mazda 6! I'll take mine in a wagon please.
@@NateTrynaMakeMoney if the engines are blowing up why are they common on the road and people crossing state lines to buy them?
Telluride is the choice if you NEED a 3 row. Mazda is the choice if you just want those extra seats in a pinch.
That inline 6 is amazing!! 🙌🏾
Are they still making a 2 row - CX-70 I heard at one point?
Yep with the same i6 8 speed read biased awd platform. cant wait for the new mazda6
@@KankBank i am driving 2021 Mazda 6 and waiting for a new mazda6 too. CX90 looks pretty and very cool engine
I've always been a fan of the Mazda6 since day one! Very exciting times!
Well, guess what? The Mazda6 is cancelled. It ain't coming back.
The Telluride is incredibly good, especially considering that it’s been on the market for a few years. A better match price-wise for the Telluride is the CX-90 Premium Plus, which comes in at about $54k. But the margin of victory would have been even greater for the Telluride. Phenomenal job by Kia!
The Kia advantage that matters to me is the seat comfort. The thigh extenders, a major Mazda omission, make a huge difference, especially on long drives.
At the end of the day, though, I would go with the Mazda because it looks more special. In typical Kia/Hyundai fashion, the refresh has made the Telluride less attractive. Those amber DRLs were so emblematic of the SX, but Kia got rid of them. The previous SX wheels also looked better, even though I am not a fan of black wheels. Finally, the steering wheel of the Telluride is a big deterrent for me. I still have not gotten used to its design. So, as great as the Telluride is, my choice is the CX-90.
You're 100% right. I have the thigh extenders on my 2019 Kia Sorento SX and I never really thought much of them until I tried them. Now I won't buy another vehicle that doesn't have them.
I guess it might be better but KIA and Hyundai make trash junk so good luck 5 years from now.
I agree, the steering wheel on Telluride is vague and not communicative. Kia vehicles I drove in the past had better steering and subsequently felt lot more sportive. For me, that numb steering in telluride kills the advantage in smartly utilized interior space on a telluride.
Why award Teluride all those extra points in the end when we all know that buyers easily pay $10k over msrp at the dealer. At that point, Turbo Cx-90 Premium plus @ $52k is a better buy, even with 280hp engine.
Right? They are big Hyundai/Kia fans. If you notice, no one ever wins a comparison to either of those brands and they even own one.
That’s the entire issue I have with the whole comparison. It was blatantly obvious at the end when those extra points were added that a better comparison would have been to wait on the base 3.3 Premium Plus trim. Just seems like they rushed to get a comparison out just to have one out instead of properly comparing trim levels that compete with each other better
@@limitedreach4446 yeah, those guys are okay, doing a pretty good job with reviews, but with this kind of bias... Idk
I paid MSRP for an SX Prestige two months ago. It can be done.
100 percent
After dealers get a hold to the Telluride, it’ll cost more than the CX-90. Even at MSRP, CX-90 is my choice over the Kia any day, all day!
yes people don't understand what Mazda is. But my 1979 Mazda RX-7 is still going!
I think if the CX-90 is a hit and becomes an in-demand vehicle, Mazda will be marking them up like the Telluride. Dealers can’t help themselves. I bought my 2021 Rav4 Prime for MSRP in 2021 when it came out and qualified for the $7,500 tax credit. Many Toyota dealerships didn’t know what they had on their hands with the Rav4 Prime when it came out in 2021.
Fast forward two years later, the same dealer is selling any of their rare Rav4 Prime vehicles that they receive at $10,000 over MSRP. I believe that’s the average over MSRP for Rav4 Prime vehicles at the moment.
@@paulira7407 we don’t have to buy! Patience is a virtue.
@@gosman949 unfortunately people keep on buying despite the markups.
@@paulira7407 if they only realized that not buying will drive prices down!
The refreshed fascia of the Telluride is worse looking than before. The new headlights are nicer. Overall, the CX-90 is more upscale looking, both interior and exterior, than the Telluride. The Telluride looks somewhat outdated now. The CX-90 wins this comparison easily when ride handling, power, fit and finish are considered. By the way, there was another TH-cam video in which the reviewer measured body panel gaps. He said it's the tightest (between 2.8 to 3.3 mm) and most consistent throughout the whole vehicle he's measured, including many of the high-end luxury ones. That fact alone speaks volume about the build quality of the new CX-90.
Exactly! I saw that myself. The build quality for the Mazda is magnificent.
I owned a Telluride before and the fuel economy was mediocre especially with my mainly local driving (about 18mpg). I would have chosen the CX90 PHEV all the way if I am given a choice between these two. In full disclosure I currently own a Kia Sorento PHEV prestige AWD with 68.5 mpg which is hard to beat.
How do u like your Sorento. I have a 2019 model and I really like the new model but I'm concern about the 4 cylinder being too weak for the size. Is it loud?
I perfur both, But I perfur Mazda one guys.
perfur wow
Prefer?🤔
@@WaheedKhan-mm3pw Amberasing. Peephole can't spill nomo.
Both good machines, but I'm with MAZDA! 😊
My Telluride of choice is the SX Prestige X-Line. Mazda offers so many powertrain options that this top trim higher performance CX-90 is hard to beat though. I'm curious to see how the lower trim 280hp CX-90 motor competes vs the Telluride's 3.8 V6.
I love the comparison videos you create. This comparison was really fun for me (I'm in the hunt to replace my 2022 Limited Tucson Hybrid with a 3-row). Although a long way out, I've deposited $500 with my local Toyota dealer to get my name on their list for a Grand Highlander. My heart is passionate about the CX-90 but pricing and smaller cargo space (will use as a work vehcle) keeps me engaged to the Grand. I expect the Grand to have a mpg rating in the low 30s and pricing to be comparable (?).
The CX 90 still has 332 pound feet of torque at 280 HP. It’s very quick. Compared to a dated old naturally aspirated V6 that makes, what, 260 pound feet? Not even close. And then there’s the gas mileage. Again, not close. You’re gonna struggle to get 20 mpg combined with the Kia. It’s a mid size gas guzzler. My 2016 Highlander Limited with the V6 does better than that.
I'll take the CX90 anytime over the Kia Telluride 💪🏽👍🏼❤️🔥
I’ll take the telluride and take that $10k difference for a vacation.
its like buying a BMW but with jap reliability at 1/2 the price :) cx90 !!
@@Fyahking619 yeah but I would hold on to that 10k b/c KIA wont last usually engine blows at 5yr mark :)
Same here
@@schwinnbiking but I get lifetime warranty from my dealership. :)
The CX 90 just look and drive like a premium brand - which explain the price difference
I have a 2021 Kia Telluride and I really like it. I am also a Mazda fan. I would like to drive the CX-90 and see how I like it.
Great video guys.
1 critic, the scores kind of need a weight measurement like you did with the price. Warranty means more to 99.9% of people than adaptive headlights, same goes for fuel economy. Thanks.
The top trims Tellurides go above MSRP. CX-90 is rear wheel drive based, has an inline 6, has a more beautiful interior, and probably has better materials( I obviously can't confirm yet) and is more fuel efficient. That makes the Mazda the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.
The Mazda hands down. At least I don't have to worry about my car catching fire and being stolen, i.e Tiktok
Waiting for the grand highlander! Thanks 4 these vids! Keep up the good werk!
Coming soon! Thank you!
Grand highlander 4 cylinders is a non starter. Toyota should have kept the six cylinders.
Great review! The best comparison right now, The Mazda is assembled/made in Japan I going with the cx90 it will be the most reliable car on the market
Thanks!
I agree with your assessment. I purchased a 2024 Telluride October 10, 2023 after only having the truck for 10 days the transmission went out. In the process of Kia purchasing the truck back. I should’ve gone with the Mazda in the first place.
I suspect there won’t be much cross shopping between the two. The CX-90 seems to be more akin to the Acura MDX, the Turbo S as a discount Type S of sorts.
I suspect there won't be much cross-shopping because people won't see $9,000 worth of advantage to buy the Mazda. Even before this review got to price, the Kia was already 2 points ahead of the Mazda, and that was despite the Mazda's healthy power difference.
Comparing the Mazda to the MDX is one of a few scenarios: 1) admission that the all-new Pilot is woefully unprepared to compete with the all-new CX-90, 2) downgrading the premium Acura brand to a competitor with mainstream Mazda, or 3) mainstream Mazda is punching above its weight class thinking they can bring a $50K vehicle to the premium segment where everything else (e.g. Lexus, Audi, Volvo, Acura, Cadillac, etc.) is actually a luxury brand. No other make is trying to sell their mainstream brand as a upscale brand. The last to try (VW in the early 00s) ended up with cars that everyday buyers found unnecessarily expensive, albeit more interesting, and they ended up dumbing-down their vehicles to today's mediocre Atlas or Tiguan.
@@doug6191 I definitely believe the CX-90 to be an Amati offering in an alternate universe. So comparisons with Acura/Infiniti /Cadillac/Volvo are more than logical in this context. The only downside is a ‘pedestrian’ marque.
The Pilot as always will sell just fine in its current state no matter how short it may be on features vs CX-90/Telluride/Palisade, likely for the simple fact that it’s a Honda product.
I’m a Honda/Acura buyer and have been for the last two decades. That said I like Mazda and hope they do well with this product.
CX-90 for me
Mazda has digital rear view mirror also
Mazda does not have digital rear view mirror.
@@edysonegejuru4942 it’s an option shown in other older videos
I had a 2017 cx 5 and sold it to get a 2023 telluride. The quality in the Mazda is superior to the telluride. I regret getting the Kia
All Korean german and American cars is a trash but low IQ people will buy them anyway.
Amazing video! Can you compare the CX-90 to the Hyundai Palisade? I would like to see how that goes.
Sure! Thanks, Juan!
As far as I'm concerned, better gas mileage offsets a lot of initial cost.
Also, it's a small thing, but having to plug in my phone in order to connect it to the media system is something that would irritate me every time I got in the vehicle. No excuse for that in 2023.
its a licensing issue lol
I prefer the Telluride and so do most drivers since dealerships can’t keep them on the lot. Been the one of the best selling 3rd row family suv for 3 years in a row. The standard tech you get on the Telluride alone like the blind spot mirror image on the dash is hands down the best safety feature. Also the touchscreen is amazing. Mazda disabling the touchscreen feature when the car is in drive is very lame like a baby sitter. Also the warranty on the Telluride is amazing since the car starts almost $10k less than the Mazda. I don’t trust Mazda’s turbo charged engine for long term reliability. The more traditional v6 engine is better all around. No wonder the Telluride is outselling the Pilot, the Highlander etc all traditional giants in the segment. All Mazda SUVs look identical but KIA crossovers all have a different identity both in the exterior and interior.
Engine and interior alone puts the CX-90 ahead. I think many will prefer the upscale exterior look of the CX-90. As far as the comparisons to the competitors. The CX-90 is the top of the heap in this segment as far as looks and feel.
It seems that the Pilot would lead in terms of usability for families in general.
I think the Telluride is right in the middle of both the Pilot and CX-90. Not having the utility of the Pilot or then upscale luxury of the CX-90.
The Telluride has more cargo space than the Pilot btw
yeah I agree my top 2 are the Pilot and the CX90, I would argue that the Pilot is more reliable since its an NA V6 but the mazda is build in Japan. Also Mazda has no luxury brand so they don't nerf any cars to sell the luxury models unlike with the Pilot.
An MDX advance or Type S would be a better competitor to the Top trim CX90 yet reviewers still compare it with a mid trim trailsport pilot which is kinda stupid.
Still I think the CX90 beats the MDX and Pilot slightly
@@mrcactus245 The CX90 has an edge over the regular MDX but falls short of the Type S. With the Air suspension and SH-AWD the Acura has the advantage. Also the CX90 only has 14 way power adjustments to the drivers side whereas the MDX Type S Advance has message feature and 16 way adjustments for driver and passenger sides but those features come at a $12K premiums over the CX90.
Kia will need to throw in a hybrid system in the Telluride if they want to keep the crown as king of the 3-row SUVs segment.
I'd still pick the Mazda in a heartbeat.
Yeah but nobody is buying Mazda 😂😂😂. Something is wrong with them. Stay away. Hyundai-Kia is world's 3rd largest automaker, challenging Toyota for #1. Buy what others are buying!
The biggest factor has to be reliability and overall quality. The cx90 being built in the most reliable plant and in Japan makes it significantly better than the kia.
Regarding reliability, Telluride ranks as 1 of the most reliable SUVs according to various sources.
That must be the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard anyone say. Are you 12 years old?
It’s an all new platform, engines, and trans. Expect problems to be present 100%. I’ve never ever in my life have heard about a ground up new vehicle redesign being reliable. Especially in comparison to a car that has been proven to have a reliable trans and engine.
Mazda is a loser that can barely sell any cars. Sometime wrong with them. Hyundai-Kia is world's 3rd largest automaker, challenging Toyota for #1. Go with the winner!
@@brokeboy87 wrong
@@ayushmalpeddi2793 Right and the plant doesn't assure reliability, it's primarily a measure of assembly quality.
I totally disagree with the Mazda system being "more difficult." In fact, after coming from many different touch systems, the Mazda infotainment system might be rated at the top (including ahead of luxury brands like BMW's i system). It's fluid, buttery smooth and easy to navigate SAFELY while driving.
I’m 6’2, went to test drive the cx90 and it was uncomfortable for me. Tried varies positions and it all resulted in my knees being uncomfortable while driving. With the telluride, it was much comfortable.
Advise for anyone wanting a telluride and want to avoid the mark up, I got my ex x-line at msrp and paid 1300 for a third party delivery. Newark Kia was the location I got it from
You raise a good point. From most videos I’ve watched, pretty much every journalist has said that the CX-90 is now the best vehicle in the segment. That’s said, at the end of the day, you should buy the best vehicle for YOU. If the Telluride fits you better, then in your case it’s the better vehicle. Simple as that. 😊
who wants MSRP. I will only pay less than MSRP. Mazda will!
@@gosman949 on a Cx-90? Good luck with that. You won’t find a dealer in the entire country who will discount one of these things $1 right now.
@@reecetbobby5347 no one knows anything about Mazdas. They only want Toyotas or Koreans!
6'2" here and I disagree. Telluride center console rails were uncomfortable on my right knee. Same problem I had with the cx9. Cx90 fixed that.
Good review albeit a little biased in my opinion . Love them both, but it’s Mazda for me! As for me I prefer the style & luxury of Mazda, where you two look much better in a Kia in my view. Lol. That’s is to say at this point in your life I don’t see you driving a CX-90. Different demographic I guess.🤷🏾♂️
Haha, well said. Terribly biased.
For the most part, this is a quantitative type of comparison: you have it, you don't have it, or you have more of it. This type of analysis has its place for sure. I just don't like the idea of giving the Telluride an extra 0.5 pt for every $1000 the CX-90 was more expensive. So what would be the Telluride's point total if you compared it to a Land Rover or an X7?
Feel free to ignore that value section at the end. The emphasis everyone puts on money will be different. We're just doing our best to adjust in a reasonable way.
@@CarConfections As one other mentioned. I think comparing the CX-90's Turbo Premium Plus trim (instead of the Turbo S Premium Plus trim) would be a bit more accurate. As the Premium Plus Is much closer in price and you have almost all of the features as the S Premium Plus (just a dip in horsepower/torque). But it's ~5-6k cheaper.
I Thought the CX-90 had More Features than the Telluride
Me too. Guess not 🤷♂️
I’d expect the Mazda to have significantly less features or some compromises. Mazda is significantly smaller than Hyundai/Kia.
The telluride has those features as a gimmick
That's what I thought of because there are features of the CX-90 that wasn't mentioned like the driver's personalization that only Mazda has it in the mainstream brand or even some German brand hasn't.
@@johnnytampocao7671 the features in Kia are a gimmick
Telluride might be a good vehicle, but I am just not attracted to it. The front end is pedestrian looking, bland, just no style to it...and for those reasons it was not on my list when I was in the market three months ago. Number one on my list was the QX60, but I also did like the CX9 but I wanted a V6. I ended up with the MDX, although it wasn'tmy first choice. While not as luxury looking on the exterior, I fell in love with the cockpit sensation when I was behind the wheel of the MDX, a feeling I didn't get in the QX60. And the MDX had enough blend of sporty and attractive exterior that satisfied me. I also added a couple exterior accessories to it that elevated its exterior look. As of yet, I have not seen another MDX in my area that has these accessories on them. So for now, I fel unique. As for the CX90, it is too bubbly for my taste. It has a bloated look. Needs some more angles to truly make it special. It it had the front end of the CX9 it would be a winner. I love the CX9 with its stately appearance. I am always doing a double take when one drives by.
Thanks for the high-quality video, but your scoring system needs to reflect important factors like fuel economy or engine power. For example, having a few more chair adjustment buttons equals more than 40 horsepower.
It is better to set an appropriate weight for each parameter to have fair comparison scores.
Kia reliability has recently taken a downturn while Mazda reliability remains highly rated.
Reliability and i feel next level in Mazda
Great review! Please note the CX-90 also offers PHEV version with 2.5L turbo. Thank you.
Beyond the hype of a new product... I've owned several Mazda through the years and was waiting for the CX-90 for the past three years. After test driving both cars myself over the weekend I can tell that as nice the Cx-90 looks, it is overpriced compared to what the Telluride, Palisade, Pilot and Pathfinder offer, with less features than the Koreans and much less space than any of these. Aside from the 6 cylinder engine, this SUV in base trim better compares to the Kia Sorento, and yet the Kia offers much more value...
It now has a turbo 6 cylinder engine... Yet it offers the same power as the Koreans' inline 4 cylinder 2.5T. It has a larger information screen, yet it is limited to touchscreen while speed only. It now comes with a panoramic sunroof, yet it is the smallest one in the market. It now has third row vents, yet it blows air to your knees...
It is much larger than the CX-9 it replaces, yet it's interior space is the same...
Mazda needs to pick a lane as it doesn't compete within it's category , nor matches the BMW performance. Overpriced, even before the ridiculous dealer markups.
it actually is neck and neck with the x5 .. just shy as the x5 has better launch control and cx90 has none. Watch the drag race video. Also you will end up with less problems with the mazda experience and better resale value over the Koreans, that I can guarantee.
*Of course Mazda! Kia surprises buyers with technology but quality and reliability is extremely poor*
Not for the telluride lol, also reliability isn't gonna be good for that new engine
I already drove both and the Mazda CX90 ride quality is WAYYY BETTERRRR !!!!
I had mazda 3s and cx5 and loved them all. Great handling! The only thing I bought my palisade last year over cx90 was its space. I like rear wheel based car but for 3 row suv, i think the space is more important and cx90 was a little cramped.
Saw a lot of people here trying to decide between the telluride, Highlander and the CX-90. It’s simple, if interior space is your priority, CX-90 would lose every time, as it was never designed to be a minivan alternative. But if you care about design, craftsmanship, driving dynamics, and how all of them come together as a whole, it would literally be an insult to even compare the CX-90 to the highlander, telluride, or even the MDX. Nobody in their right mind, given they know at least a little bit about cars, would compare a RWD inline-6 turbo setup to a bunch of FWD turbo 4 and V6 cars and ask which is better - they are not even in the same league. Can’t believe we are still having this conversation…
No average buyer in their right mind would think about anything you said in this segment. People buy these to haul families, gear, for space, take it soft-roading, etc. Not because it has RWD and a 340hp I6 turbo (but still has a 6+ second 0-60 time which is average for the segment).
It’s simple, the Mazda will only appeal to a small audience, especially with loaded models costing 62K. A comparable Telluride SXP costs 52K. Mazda doesn’t offer 10K more performance. It just handles and drives better but lacks a useful 3rd row and ample cargo space.
The hybrid CX90 model will be very appealing though if it qualifies for the tax credit. The I6 model and rwd biased chassis doesn’t mean much given its mediocre performance numbers.
Audi Q7, Cayenne, Macan, XC90, MDX all do well without rwd and an I6 turbo.
Now I personally would buy an CX90 given my enthusiasm in cars. But less than 5% of new car buyers are enthusiasts so I don’t expect the CX90 to be a massive sales hit like the Koreans.
@@ayushmalpeddi2793 nah... literally anyone buying a CX90 cares about 1 or more of drivetrain, handling, interior and overall quality, and reliability
@@ayushmalpeddi2793 "loaded models costing 62K"? No, only ONE loaded S Premium Plus model is 62K. Turbo Premium Plus is 52K and a comparable Telluride SXP costs 52K.
@@ayushmalpeddi2793 yeah and for the vast majority of people that buy Kias and Hyundais are in for a rude awakening. Mechanics can testify of the problems Korean cars have vs Japanese brands unless your talking about Mitsubishi and Nissan that is a different topic because of the generation. For example we are talking about the Mitsubishi and Nissan in the beginning years of the 60s-90s they are more reliable than the French made Japanese cars with the nightmarish CVTs. Again Renault is not the brand people will be buying since France has one of the worst brands in the global market. If China comes to the plain field they would easily replace France, but since they are none existent in the global market there is a reason why nobody in their right minds would buy a made in China car and even if they did rumors and news will spread quickly telling others not to buy the car. Same goes back to Korean cars. They start from a humble beginning and they still couldn’t build proper engines after many attempts. They gave that up and are being supplied by Mitsubishi engines. Yet again Mitsubishi is ran by a French company called Renault. Mechanics have said this once before and continue to say about the problems with Kias and Hyundai. You get what you pay and it will bite you behind the back. Again news spreads quick about Korean cars having poor customer service and maintenance issues. Which in turn it becomes more of a money pit and why Korean cars don’t age well when being sold to other owners.
Great videos. Could you also include highway/city assist features in your comparisons and reviews. I feel like your reviews are more comparable between vesicles, but would like to know more about some features and their usability. ie lane keeping if it actually good or too late to respond/if it centers well in the lane or not, ACC - adaptability on how aggressive or comfortable it is at following cars, if it smoothly breaks or is jerky and brakes too late, lane change assist, etc
True
Noted. Thank you
Im a fan of Mazda but this Kia wins every category hands downs, btw the CX9 looks dull compared to Telluride, it is in another level
Too many points for capacity and storage on the Kia. More subjective points as some people don’t care about the touch screen. I prefer objective metrics such a a smoother inline 6 engine vs the V6. I’m surprise you guys didn’t discuss the performance of the transmissions. The Mazda actually lost a point for having 21 each rims which most people would definitely rather have. I think the curb appeal of the new Mazda is hands down way better as well.
Mazda vs. Kia, Mazda all the way. Just the looks alone, let alone the rwd platform and build quality.
Gotta go for the telluride because it is my favorite 3 row suv. Keep up the good work.
Telluride is cool but the Mazda is better quality and more reliable than a Kia!
I would do the same as well
@@PimpSolja49 The Mazda has a new engine... you don't know that. The telluride has good build quality.
Thank you for great comparison tat what I looked for.
Glad it was helpful!
nice video. please have similar comparison between maxda cx90 and new toyota grand highlander
Kia has more to offer than Mazda: 10Y warranty, stylish look, more cargo, 3 seats on the third row compared to 2 seats in Mazda, more legroom in the 2nd and 3rd row compared to Mazda, touch enabled-screen which the Mazda doesn't offer, and you pay 10K cheaper the price for Telluride.
Mazda Turbo Premium Plus is 52K and a comparable Telluride SXP costs 52K.
Thanks for the video. How does the cx90 driving dynamic compare to bmw?
Thanks for watching! Excellent steering but the body control and ride quality balance is obviously not as good as an X5
One of these cars feels and drives like a high end German car, even at 10K less than the one you guys compared. One of them is a fake rugged looking grocery getter, for which dealers are brazenly ripping off every soccer mom they can for “market adjustments” way over MSRP. My local dealer has a 44K MSRP Telluride adjusted to 51K. And low 50K ones for almost 60. Anybody who buys one of these during this price gouging is nuts. Meanwhile, the same vehicle without the fake rugged sheet metal across the street at the Hyundai dealership in only gouging people a little bit. Mazda doesn’t allow dealers to sell for over MSRP. That’s the kind of company I would rather deal with.
Really the only notable thing better about the Kia IMO is the warranty. And there’s no denying, if you keep a car a long time, that’s a very nice advantage. And with a Kia, you’re probably gonna need it.
The real outstanding value in the Mazda is not at 60K. It’s when you keep it 46-50K. The 280 HP is still plenty of power and at that price point there’s nothing that can come close.
I agree with everything you said… except for Mazda not allowing cars to be sold for over MSRP. Every dealer in the Charlotte, NC area had at a minimum a $1,000.00 mark up. The other two dealers had $2000.00 and $3,000.00 mark ups respectively.
Which is why I went to Vic Bailey Mazda in Spartanburg, NC and purchased my CX-90 PHEV for $1,000.00 below MSRP & the $500.00 military appreciation.
That particular dealer doesn’t do mark ups.
Great review! One thing I might add: the 2023 Telluride is capable of towing up to 5500 pounds this time around. I’d be super stoked if Kia threw in the 3.3L twin turbo engine from the Stinger as a sport centered Telluride trim!!
Thanks!
I can imagining an inline6 rear wheel drive Mazda6 release in 2024 😮
I'd still get the Mazda. The Telluride has no soul.. it's an everyday family hauler. Cx-90 has that it factor you can't score.
We have narrowed our search down to these two. And having test driven both, if you care even the slightest bit about driving dynamics, the CX-90 wins hands down. The Telluride simply doesn't have any. Its steering is mushy, acceleration is blah, and it feels every bit its size. In the Telluride, you can't escape that you're driving a soccer mom hauler. The Mazda, on the other hand, has enough oomph in its power train and dynamism in its steering to bring a little joy to the experience--even if the suspension could be a little less harsh (you'll feel the big bumps). As someone who daily drives an Alfa Romeo Giulia, the CX-90 surprisingly didn't feel its size when taking it down winding roads. And even the digital instrument cluster and steering wheel give you that air of sportiness that's just downright nonexistent in the Telluride. It's true that the Telluride is more spacious and more practical and has rugged design cues that I (as well as many others) quite like. And if we are talking about the third row useability, the CX-90 isn't even in the same ballpark. But it's obvious that one company had the driver firmly in front of mind when engineering its SUV, and the other had kids/passengers.
Telluride has a face only a mother could love
Plenty of mothers love the Telluride
@@kokopuffs5789 exactly
Criticizing other people's choice is usually a major cause of conflict
I’m a Mazda owner, but I still think the Telluride looks cool 😅
I have already owned a kia and I have not driven the new mazda but I doubt very much that the kia can surpass mazda neither in handling nor in quality
My top 3 choices:
1. Honda Pilot Elite (because of the removable middle seat)
2. Telluride
3. (Tied) C90 | Palisade
I would take the Mazda over the Telluride as I like the fun to drive characteristics which the rear drive biased platform, powerful inline 6 plus their suspensions setup brings. I'm waiting for the two row CX70 as I have no need for three rows. Should be a little lighter and shorter. Hopefully Mazda will have that to market soon.Supposed to be this year from what I've seen. In addition I like that Mazda has taken a big step up in luxury. Definitely a competitor with Acura and other luxury or near luxury offerings now.
Yeah yeah yeah. But nobody buys Mazda. Hyundai-Kia is world's 3rd largest automaker!
@@CKY1942 Hyundai-Kia are subsidized by Korean government. This tells a lot.
@@CKY1942 First, not true, I see a lot of Mazda's on the road, and we've owned one. Second, yeah, Hyundai sells a lot of vehicles, we own one.
Excellent comparison, hope you all are having a great Easter!
Thanks! Same to you!
I had a Kia cadenza with the h/k system and it blows Mazdas Bose system (that's in my 2021 cx-9 gt) out of the water. The Harmon kardon system is so much more clear and crisp.
To prefer an econobox brand like Kia to Mazda😂 Mazda caters to a different audience
Longetivity should be included here. Even though KIA has 10yrs warranty, you wouldn't want your car ended up being fixed in the dealer for some time and frequently, leaving customer with no car. Which has the better longetivity history between them?
kia wins
For exteriors, you could have given an extra 0.5 to Kia for exposed exhaust tips.
Mazda ❤
I would go for Mazda no doubt in many ways the best Japanese 100 percent
Mazda CX-90 can automatically adjust your seating position based on your height and eye level up to 250 passengers
The reason why all Mazda car feel harsh when going over bumps is because all of their cars are design with one type of suspension and it is sport.
With Kia dealers adding $10k mark up over the MSRP , I prefer the Mazda quality.
isn't Mazda dealers doing the same thing lmao
Drove telluride and sorento in march, felt like the sorento had better driving dynamics. 2 weeks ago drove back to back 2023 Carbon Edition CX-9 (wow) and 2024 CX-90 Premium wow. Now this past weekend drove again CX-90 at different dealer and felt just as great. Same day went to test-rive New Nissan Pathfinder (reminded me of Telluride). Yesterday drove again the new telluride X-Pro Prestige (top of the line) and realized it felt big boat (like the nissan Pathfinder) but the pathfinder transmission is so much smoother, better and the different modes.
In my opinion I would pick the Nissan Pathfinder for the better bang for the buck then the Mazda CX-9 and wait until the CX-90 comes down a bit in price.
Crap Nissan
@@gatewaypark1 New Pathfinder doesn't have the CVT transmission that hurt Nissan's reputation.
I love mazda 👍👍👍👍
Thanks so much
I'm surprised the cx90 lost to the Telluride and it had all the luxurious features and stuff
The rating scale is still subjective. 0.5 points for being a few decibels quieter when the human ear can barely pick up the difference. 0.5 point for a powertrain that has 50 more hp and is still more fuel efficient? That's a joke.
A lot of those points given to Telluride are useless comparisons. What's laughable is that Telluride was given more points than CX90 on interior looks 😂
Zero comparison here. Mazda Cx-90 is hands down superior from the chassis up.
The Telluride has a better more aggressive SUV look vs the Mazda’s .. soccer mom high end station wagon look. I’m not a soccer mom, so I prefer the Telluride.
Telluride drives like a mini van. Both turbo versions on the CX90 drive nice. The transmission doesn't get confused. The telluride got stuck at high revs. The comparison should have been with normal turbo premium plus cx90 to take away price difference. At that point you lose the ventilated rear seats and some cargo space but gain driving characteristics and mpg and wireless android auto and apple car play. Everything else is a wash. The turbo S is just at another level. Way better handling, transmission, power, turning radius. Powered telescoping steering wheel plus seat memory is another massive thing for anyone with multiple drivers of different sizes (90% of 3 row buyers). No stupid black plastic molding on turbo S! There is a reason they charge more for the turbo S. It drives better and looks better. The Turbo S is really going after a different segment. Sorry guys, I like your reviews, but this was a bad comparison. Please redo with non S turbo premium plus cx90.
For me, Mazda gets the nod. Inline 6, performance, MPG, aesthetics. The Telluride, with all due respect, reminds me of a Ford Explorer, and between those two...Kia gets the nod, it just doesn't exude "style." Excellent comparison video!
Between those two im taking the Ford Explorer...which is a RWD vehicle availible with a turbo v6
@@joecool9739 inline turbo 6 hybrid > turbo V6
@@joecool9739 not to mention that the build quality, interior materials and fit and finish is far superior on both the Kia and the Mazda than a Ford.
@@reecetbobby5347
Im saying between a Telluride and a Ford Explorer dude
The Ford Explorer is powerful...especially in the ST trim
@@reecetbobby5347 we were in my friends Telluride and my daughter went to turn down the volume and the knob came off on her hand, great build quality!
This is one of a car comparison where the other car won, but most of the comments are praising the other car that lost the comparison
The fact that the mazda has rear wheel drive platform and longitudinal engine is enough to settle the argument for me, there is no comparison in the first place
Which one I'd buy will probably come down to how much additional dealer markup (ADM) is applied. We know for sure that the Telluride isn't available anywhere close to Monroney... We'll have to see how Mazda dealers go about business. I don't see how Mazda can put very much ADM on top of the Monroney since it's already such an expensive vehicle already. So if hypothetically Mazda does zero ADM and Kia does $5,000 ADM, now the prices are close enough that I'd choose the Mazda as long as I don't need the extra cargo space of the Telluride.
Telluride ❤❤❤
You should give 2 whole points for not having any piano black.