Video summary

Should You Buy a 2026 Mazda CX-90 Inline 6? Thorough Review By A Mechanic

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Product Review

Product reviewed

2026 Mazda CX-90 (Inline-6) — reviewed from a mechanic/technical perspective, focusing heavily on powertrain complexity, packaging, build/servicing considerations, and whether the car feels “luxury” enough for its price.

Main features highlighted (Inline-6 powertrain & systems)

  • Engine: 3.3L inline-6 turbo (DOHC), timing chains located at the rear
    • Reviewer claims 3 timing chains in the back (unconventional vs typical “front” chain layout).

Timing chain layout / architecture (complexity theme)

  • Rear chains include an idler setup
  • One chain drives an oil pump (electronically controlled variable displacement mentioned)
  • Another chain drives the crank
  • The idler also drives a shaft for the high-pressure fuel pump

High-pressure fuel pump (service difficulty theme)

  • Location described as beneath the intake manifold, in a “horrible spot”
  • Reviewer states servicing may require removing significant parts—potentially “pulling half the engine” (per a shop tech book)

Turbo / charge cooling

  • Turbo described as fairly large and accessible
  • Uses an electronic wastegate
  • Uses a liquid-to-air intercooler (coolant-based charge cooling)
  • Reviewer likes the design because it supports more compact packaging
  • Includes a separate cooling system for the intercooler (electric water pump mentioned)

Cooling system

  • Described as simple/basic, with lots of plastic, but straightforward

Fuel system

  • Direct injection only
  • Injectors described as under the intake

Transmission approach (no torque converter)

  • Reviewer says it does not have a torque converter
  • Uses a hydraulic clutch with a shifting feel compared to a manual-like takeoff (not DCT)
  • Described as an 8-speed transmission (tone suggests drive feel is less smooth)

48V mild-hybrid system (major criticism)

  • 48V lithium-ion battery in addition to 12V
  • Motor between engine and transmission for:
    • boost / engine start
    • torque assistance (especially to help turbo lag)
  • Reviewer argues this complexity is a “solution” to a problem Mazda didn’t need to solve this way
  • i-stop/start-stop described as more active than typical systems:
    • Can run on 48V electric for short distances
    • Shuts off the engine more aggressively

Pros (things the reviewer likes)

Engine/turbo architecture benefits

  • Liquid-to-air intercooler supports more compact packaging
  • Separate intercooler cooling system described as modern
  • Turbo plumbing/treatment:
    • Reviewer likes the mention of stainless steel pipes (less reliance on visible hot-turbo hoses)
  • Notes a simple cooling layout with a straightforward cooling system

Practical/packaging/comfort points

  • Exterior design: called one of the best-looking three-row SUVs, praised for styling and proportions
  • Door functionality:
    • Front doors lock/unlock by touch
    • Back door opening described as ~90°, improving entry/exit
  • Third-row usability:
    • Third row described as easy to fold up/down
    • Second/third-row access praised
  • Spare tire storage: reviewer likes the real spare and says it doesn’t feel intrusive
  • Interior HVAC controls: praised as simple and easy (physical buttons + small display)
  • Ergonomics & storage: described as comfortable and easy to reach

Cons (major criticisms)

1) Reliability / cost-of-ownership concerns (core theme)

  • Reviewer repeatedly emphasizes “mega complication”:
    • Rear timing chains (3 claimed)
    • High-pressure fuel pump in an awkward location
    • Complex arrangement involving fuel/chain/idler/hp-pump drives
    • 48V motor between engine and transmission, with an analogy to Mercedes issues (e.g., rear main seal leak causing problems)
  • Service difficulty: extensive use of plastic covers and underbody shielding:
    • protects components, but
    • increases labor time for inspections/repairs
  • Underbody/exhaust cover strategy:
    • Catalytic converter area is covered; reviewer calls it either “brave” or “complicated”
    • To access transmission/driveshaft areas, reviewer suggests removing half the exhaust/covers

2) Drive feel / refinement complaints

  • Takeoff lag / “lugging”:
    • Reviewer attributes this partly to the lack of torque converter (typically smooth off-the-line behavior)
  • Not “luxury” enough in drivetrain behavior:
    • Suspension is called smooth, but drivetrain behavior feels off/not linear
    • Criticism:
      • not as sporty/exhilarating as German rivals
      • not as quiet/comfortable/refined as Lexus/Acura
    • Reviewer claims Mazda refined it for 2026, but says it feels worse or unchanged to them

3) Power/outputs feel underwhelming for the complexity

  • Inline-six described as producing ~280 horsepower (reviewer explicitly mentions “280 hp” as part of the critique)
  • Comparisons:
    • A 2005 Toyota Avalon with roughly 276–278 hp is described as simpler
    • Higher-output trims can reach about 340 hp, but reviewer argues it still doesn’t match “Hurricane” engine performance in competitors
  • Conclusion:
    • complexity doesn’t deliver “German-like” excitement or standout performance
    • feels like a normal engine doing normal output

4) Interior / feature usability critiques

  • Shifter layout is confusing (pushed then moved sideways to get to reverse, etc.)
  • Gauge/cluster needs update (screen described as needing improvement)
  • Steering is liked, but luxury expectations aren’t met:
    • door feel described as flimsy/cheap
    • missing “luxury” behavior: reviewer claims back doors can’t lock/unlock properly (relative to luxury expectations)
  • Start-to-drive delay: reviewer says you must wait a few seconds before putting it in drive; acting too quickly triggers a warning (“not ready yet”)

Comparisons made with other vehicles

Against German cars (BMW/Audi/Mercedes vibe)

  • Reviewer says the Mazda feels German-level mechanical complexity, but without German-level exhilaration/specialness

Against Toyota / Grand Highlander

  • Reviewer names Toyota Grand Highlander as a direct competitor:
    • says Grand Highlander is more functional
    • says third row is significantly better
    • mentions availability issues (“good luck finding one” / shortages)

Against Lexus TX

  • Reviewer says Lexus TX costs more, but notes:
    • trim/feature value can change the conclusion depending on comparison method
    • when comparing lower trims and price parity, the CX-90’s justification weakens

Engine / horsepower comparisons

  • Historical: compares horsepower to a 2005 Toyota Avalon 2GR-FE
  • Powertrain philosophy comparison:
    • points to competitor inline-six engines (e.g., “Hurricane”) that feel more lively and produce more

Pricing mentioned (important for recommendation)

  • Base starting price: $38,800 + destination (~$40k)
  • Higher trims: can climb to about $60,000 (“fully decked out” per reviewer)

Overall user experience summary (as described)

  • Exterior & usability: strong—premium look, doors/access/spare tire/third-row fold praised
  • Cabin simplicity: some physical controls are good; ergonomics and storage are good
  • UX & refinement gaps: shifter logic, cluster maturity, delayed “ready” state, and drivetrain lag reduce the luxury feel
  • Driving character: smooth suspension sometimes, but drivetrain behavior (especially takeoff/lag) undermines the experience

Unique points mentioned (consolidated list)

  • Technical review of under-hood/underbody/inside/outside
  • Two powertrain options / three technically (inline-6 plus plug-in hybrid with 4-cylinder mentioned)
  • Inline-six 3.3L turbo, DOHC, rear timing chains
  • Claimed 3 timing chains at the rear with idler and multiple branches
  • Oil pump drive and high-pressure fuel pump driven from rear idler/shaft
  • High-pressure fuel pump under intake manifold; claimed major labor to service
  • Electronic wastegate
  • Liquid-to-air intercooler with separate cooling system (electric water pump)
  • Coolant/oil cooled turbo; stainless steel pipes praised
  • Simple cooling system despite lots of plastic
  • Direct injection only with injectors under intake
  • Transmission criticized: no torque converter, hydraulic clutch, 8-speed
  • Takeoff lugging / lag behavior attributed to clutch/no torque converter
  • 48V system explained with motor between engine/transmission
  • 48V described as compensating for turbo lag; reviewer questions the need for this complexity
  • i-stop described as extended use; electric-only movement on 48V for short distances
  • “Worst idea” theme: German-like complexity without German-like feel
  • Plastic coverage and underbody shielding praised for protection but criticized for service labor
  • Underbody access: drive shaft access requires removing many covers/exhaust parts
  • Suspension noted as complex “for complexity’s sake”
  • Brakes: smallish but effective; brake feel praised
  • Exterior styling praised heavily (“looker,” elegant three-row SUV design)
  • Door design praised: ~90° opening and good entry/exit
  • Third row: simple fold, but limited adult space; better for kids
  • Spare tire integrated well and doesn’t intrude
  • Interior praised for design simplicity and comfort; HVAC buttons praised
  • Infotainment screen placement praised; physical rotary dial retained
  • Cluster/gauge screen criticized as outdated
  • Shifter criticized as overly complex/odd for reverse
  • Ride vs luxury expectations: smooth but not luxury-refined; drivetrain behavior “off”
  • Start-up-to-drive delay; “not ready yet” flashing warning
  • Price critique: $38,800 + destination (~$40k) base; up to ~$60k higher trims
  • Verdict suggests: buy lower trim + extended warranty if considering, due to reliability/cost risk
  • Final recommendation includes comparisons against Grand Highlander and Lexus TX

Speakers / contributors

  • Single main speaker (the mechanic/reviewer) provides essentially all viewpoints; no other distinct speaker voices are meaningfully separated.

Concise verdict / recommendation

Recommendation: Proceed with caution.

The reviewer is enthusiastic about Mazda’s design and some comfort/practicality features, but strongly warns that the CX-90’s inline-six powertrain is overly complex, appears labor-intensive to service, shows laggy/unrefined driveline behavior, and the performance doesn’t justify the complication for the price. If someone is determined to buy it, the reviewer suggests choosing lower trims and adding an extended warranty to protect against potential high repair costs.

Original video