Australian launch confirmed for Mazda CX-90 large SUV as brand teases design

Mazda’s new large SUV is coming to Australia, with a teaser and global launch timing also revealed for the Mazda CX-90 SUV.

The CX-90, which will top the Mazda lineup as its flagship SUV, will be revealed globally in January 2023, but Mazda Australia has officially confirmed its rival to the likes of the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 will arrive Down Under.

It shouldn’t be a surprise - Mazda is a strong brand in Australia and as such, Australia is important to Mazda. 

Mazda Australia says the CX-90 will, as expected, follow the smaller CX-60 built on the same rear-biased platform, designed to accommodate an inline six-cylinder engine and electrification.

“Mazda Australia is excited to confirm that it will welcome the all-new model to its local range as the second entrant to join the large-platform family,” the release said.

Included in the announcement is a teaser image of one design element of the CX-90, its front quarter-panel indicator, on a car painted in Mazda’s new premium paint colour option, Artisan Red.

Artisan Red, which was announced by the Hiroshima-based brand yesterday, will debut on the CX-90 when it’s launched early next year.

Like Mazda’s popular Soul Red Crystal colour released ten years ago, Artisan Red intends to shine a new light on the colour red, literally, with its intention to create a high-contrast look between deep reds and glassy, glossy highlights when light reflects.

Perhaps more importantly, the CX-90 is expected to arrive in Australia at a higher price point than the CX-9 it bumps from the top spot.

The current $46,250 before on-road costs entry point to the CX-9 range could be more than $20,000 short of the much more upmarket CX-90, which is certain to be more expensive than the smaller CX-60, itself expected to start from around $60,000.

The CX-90 is likely to arrive with a similar powertrain arrangement as the CX-60, a diesel and a petrol mild-hybrid 3.3-litre six-cylinder engine, or a 2.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid version.

For more hints on the likely design and fitout of the CX-90, the CX-60 is a good place to start. An interior with a blend of modern and traditional Japanese design elements, as well as Mazda’s most up-to-date tech and comfort features to rival the Euros.

Outside, “wider, longer and more aggressive proportions than any current Mazda” are promised.