2026 Mazda CX-90 Review: The Most Beautiful 7-Seater in the UAE
Oliver Bennett·9 May 2026·10 min read
Mazda's flagship 3-row SUV prioritises design and driving feel over space. The result is the most driver-focused and visually striking family SUV available at its price.
Verdict
Pros: - Best driving dynamics of any 3-row SUV under AED 200,000 - Interior quality rivals cars at AED 350,000+ - New 3.3L inline-6 is smooth and characterful
Cons: - Third row too small for adults — 740 mm legroom - Higher than expected fuel consumption for a turbo-6 - Less technology than Korean rivals at the same price
Price range: AED 165,000 – 215,000 Best for: Car enthusiasts with families who refuse to sacrifice driving pleasure Not for: Buyers who need genuine 3-row adult capacity
Introduction
Mazda makes cars for people who love driving. The CX-90 applies that philosophy to a 3-row SUV — which is either the brand's most ambitious undertaking or its most absurd, depending on your perspective. After 8 days in Dubai, I am convinced it is the former.
Key Specs
| Spec | CX-90 Select | CX-90 Turbo S |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.3L I6 Turbo | 3.3L I6 Turbo |
| Power | 280 hp | 340 hp |
| Economy | 10.2 L/100 km | 11.4 L/100 km |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Price (AED) | 165,000 | 215,000 |
Interior Quality
The CX-90's cabin is extraordinary for the price. Genuine rosewood trim inserts, washi paper-textured headliner fabric, Nappa leather and a 12.3-inch display — combined with the precision feel of every physical control — create an interior that I would describe as the most aspirational in any car under AED 220,000.
Rear seats 1 and 2: excellent. Seat 3: adequate for a child, tight for an adult. This is the CX-90's limitation.
Driving Experience
The 3.3-litre inline-6 is Mazda's best powertrain achievement. Naturally aspirated in character despite being turbocharged — it revs to 6,500 rpm with a sound quality that the XC90 or GV80's four-cylinder cannot approach.
On the Hatta mountain road — tight hairpins, changing surfaces, 400 m climbs — the CX-90 displayed dynamics I did not expect from a 3-row family SUV. The steering is precise; the adaptive suspension body control is exceptional; and the rear-wheel-biased AWD brings a sporty rotation to corner entry.
Our Verdict
Buy the CX-90 if you are an enthusiast who has accepted that family duties require a 3-row SUV but refuses to entirely abandon the driving experience. It is the most distinctive, beautifully designed and dynamically capable 3-row under AED 220,000.
Accept the third-row limitation. Accept it, and the CX-90 is genuinely extraordinary.
Recommended: CX-90 Turbo S in Artisan Red Premium.