In the luxury three row SUV segment, both the Mazda CX-90 and the Volvo XC90 are popular among Richmond and Ashland drivers. We know it can be tough figuring out the best choice for you if you’re considering one of these vehicles. Whitten Brothers Mazda is here to make the car buying process easier for me by comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-90 vs Volvo XC90. Learn more about each SUV’s pricing, performance, interior, and safety features, and hopefully you’ll discover a clear winner!
2025 Mazda CX-90: The Mazda CX-90 price starts at $38,045 MSRP. There are six available trim levels:
2025 Volvo CX90: The Volvo XC90 starts at $59,745 MSRP. It’s available in three trim levels:
Both of these luxury SUVs are mild hybrids. They have traditional gas engines as well as an electric motor and a small battery. They can’t be powered by electricity only, but the battery and electric motor support the gas engine, so it doesn’t have to work as hard. This helps improve fuel efficiency and performance while reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The battery in a mild hybrid vehicle is recharged via regenerative braking. This process converts the energy that comes from slowing or stopping.
2025 Mazda CX-90: The standard Mazda CX-90 engine is a 280-hp e-SKYACTIV®-G 3.3-liter turbo Inline 6 that’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It generates 332 lb-ft of torque. Higher trim levels increase the horsepower to 340 and the torque to 369 lb-ft. With this engine, you can expect an EPA-estimated gas mileage of 24 mpg/city, 28 mpg/highway, and 25 mpg/combined.
i-Activ AWD®, Mazda’s all-wheel drive drivetrain, is standard on all Mazda CX-90 trim levels. This rear-biased AWD continuously monitors road conditions to ensure that your SUV always has the right level of traction and power.
A unique feature of Mazda SUVs is Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive). This allows you to choose between sport and off-road driving modes on the two lower trims and sport, off-road, and towing modes on higher trims. Alternating between drive modes allows this three-row SUV to maximize fuel efficiency and performance.
When properly equipped, the Mazda CX-90 can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
2025 Volvo CX90: The Volvo CX90 has two engine options. The B5 is a 247-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 266 lb-ft of torque. The B6 engine increases horsepower to 295 and torque to 310 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Volvo CX90 also has standard AWD on all three trim levels and offers two drive modes: automatic or off-road.
The B5 engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg/city and 27 mpg/highway. The B6 engine gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway.
The Volvo CX90 also tows up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
2025 Mazda CX-90: Both the Mazda CX-90 and the Volvo XC90 are three row SUVs. The Mazda SUV seats between six and eight passengers, depending on the trim level. The luxurious interior features leatherette-trimmed or leather-trimmed upholstery, and a customizable second row with captains’ chairs or a bench seat.
The Mazda Connect™ infotainment system keeps you on track and entertained. You have everything you need to access your route via navigation, connect via Bluetooth, or listen to music on the sound system, all in one spot. This system also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
The Mazda CX-90 interior also provides plenty of room in the cargo area. If you opt for the three-seat third-row model, this SUV provides 14.9 cubic feet with all seats up, 40 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 74.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. With the two-seat third-row model, you get 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 40.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 75.2 cubic feet behind the first row.
2025 Volvo CX90: The interior of the Volvo XC90 seats six to seven passengers across three rows. Interestingly, the Volvo website notes that in the third row, passengers up to 5 feet 7 inches can ride comfortably, calling out that taller passengers may feel cramped in the rear of this SUV. The first two trim levels are upholstered with quilted Nordico, which is not a leather material.
The Volvo infotainment system also offers Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and navigation, but this SUV doesn’t have Android Auto.
When it comes to storage, the Volvo XC90 provides 10.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 85.7 cubic feet behind the first row.
After comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and Volvo XC90, we think the choice is clear. The Mazda CX-90 price is more affordable, and it offers much more variety with additional trim levels.
Even though there are two Volvo engine options, the Mazda engine is more powerful but also more fuel efficient.
The Mazda CX-90 interior can seat more people, depending on the trim levels, and provides true high-end features like leather upholstery.
When it comes to reviews, the Mazda CX-90 ranks at #3 on Car and Driver’s Best Mid-Size 3-Row SUVs. The Volvo XC90 is not included on this list. On U.S. News and World Report’s lists for Best SUVs with 3 Rows and Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows, the Mazda CX-90 ranks at #7 while the Volvo XC90 ranks at #12.
In terms of safety, both three row SUVs are among the safest to drive. They’re both Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ winners and both earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you agree that the 2025 Mazda CX-90 is the overall winner when compared to the Volvo XC90, Whitten Brothers Mazda in Richmond is here to help you take the next steps in the car buying process. Explore our inventory online to find a Mazda CX-90 model that meets your needs and budget, then visit our showroom to experience it in person on a test drive.
Our finance team takes the hassle out of securing an auto loan or lease by helping arrange financing in house, and be sure to get your current vehicle’s trade-in value to use as a down payment or to apply towards the purchase price.
If you have any questions about the Mazda CX-90 or working with us, contact us online!
