I drive a bunch for work, 2-3 hours a day. Had a 2016 Toyota Highlander Limited (wife’s previous car) that I was driving. When it got to 150,000 miles I gave it to my 22-year-old son. I have started driving her 2023 CX9 Carbon and love it.
It is not as muscular as the Highlander on acceleration, but seems to be quicker, more nimble and more fun to drive.
I need to give my wife her car back, so now I am thinking about buying a lightly used 2023 CX9 for myself. I love the carbon edition, but we don’t want to have the exact same car, so I’ll probably choose red or white.
The question is, should I look at the CX 90? I am a little leery of buying a first year edition car, the engine choices give me fits because I think I would be tempted to buy the turbo S, since it’s more powerful. Of course that puts me in the mid 40s range, whereas I could buy a nice 2023 CX nine used for around 30K.
I have read the CX90 turbos (not turbo S) can feel a little “doggy” or “tanky” and not as nimble as CX9.
Also which trims to look at. The Carbon 2023 CX 9 seems to have all the bells and whistles I would need.
Thank you for any advice on CX9 vs. 90 and trims!

 

I would go for cx-9, i like the style of cx-9 much better. Engine wise cx-90 probably better but that cx-90 back hump i can't get over it how ugly it looks.
That is my opinion obviously, i like everything else on that cx-90 other than that ugly back design.
CX-9 still looks great and getting myself 22 Carbon edition soon. If you can find go for it, cx-9 production is gone and if you find nice clean one don't think twice.

 

I'm leery of new models. We know how long it took Mazda to get the 2.5T engine right with the cracking cylinder head and the oil leakage past valve stem seals. Look at the list of technical service bulletins for the 2016+ CX-9 and you'll see all the parts they got wrong on the first try..or second or third. My '16 only had two items so far, rear spring seats and rear brake calipers. Neither should have been a problem, nor the cracking heads. Triumph, I'd get the CX-9 in your case.

 

I'd go with the CX9. Not really liking the exterior appearance of the CX90, especially the rear end. We love our 2020....fun to drive, looks good, 30k miles and no issues. Save your money and get a loaded or semi-loaded CX9. Hopefully Mazda will fix what they got wrong with the CX90 over the next year or two.