As a new owner of the Mazda CX-90 PHEV, stepping away from years of Ford vehicles, the experience has been eye-opening, and not always in a positive way. While the platinum quartz color initially caught my wife’s eye, several aspects of this vehicle have proven to be quite annoying, raising questions about user-friendliness and feature implementation, especially for drivers accustomed to different brands.
One of the most glaring omissions, or perhaps a case of unclear functionality, is the remote start system, specifically concerning the key fob. Living in a region where summer temperatures consistently soar above 100 degrees, remote start isn’t a luxury—it’s almost a necessity. Ensuring the car’s interior, and more importantly, the safety of pets traveling, remains cool is paramount. In my previous Fords, activating remote start was straightforward: press the lock button, then double-click the start button on the key fob. This simple sequence would run the climate control for 10 minutes, with the option to extend by repeating the lock and start button presses. It was intuitive and reliable.
However, with the Mazda CX-90, the process, or even the presence of a remote start activated by the key fob, is unclear. The vehicle, costing upwards of $60,000, lacks an obvious method to initiate remote start directly from the key fob, a feature commonly expected in modern vehicles in this price range, especially in 2024. This absence is particularly frustrating when compared to the seamless integration and user-friendliness of remote start systems in other makes. The need to potentially resort to smartphone apps or other less direct methods for remote starting feels like an unnecessary complication, a step backward in convenience.
Beyond the remote start key fob issue, other aspects of the CX-90 have raised concerns. The adaptive cruise control system, while intended to enhance driving safety and convenience, exhibits alarming behavior. In situations like passing semi-trucks or navigating mountain curves with Jersey barriers, the system unexpectedly brakes hard, perceiving these scenarios as immediate hazards. This aggressive braking is not only startling but genuinely dangerous, especially when it occurs mid-curve or during overtaking maneuvers. This contrasts sharply with the flawlessly functioning adaptive cruise control in previous Ford vehicles, which operated predictably and without such alarming interventions. The navigation system also presents usability issues, relying on a cumbersome alphabet-dialing input method, a stark contrast to the touchscreens prevalent in contemporary vehicles. The suggestion to simply use smartphone apps for navigation in a brand-new, expensive vehicle feels like an admission of inadequacy in the built-in system.
Furthermore, the advertised fuel mileage of 56 MPG appears misleading in real-world driving conditions. While potentially achievable under very specific conditions, typical highway driving at speeds of 65-75 MPH yields significantly lower MPG figures, closer to 20-30 MPG. This discrepancy between advertised and actual fuel economy adds to the overall sense of disappointment.
In conclusion, while the Mazda CX-90 may possess appealing qualities, the apparent lack of straightforward remote start key fob activation, coupled with concerning adaptive cruise control behavior and other user-interface shortcomings, detracts significantly from the ownership experience. For someone transitioning from brands prioritizing user-friendly technology and reliable driver-assistance systems, the CX-90 presents a set of unexpected frustrations that warrant attention and, ideally, resolution from Mazda. The hope is that some of these issues can be addressed through software updates or dealership interventions, but the initial impression leaves much to be desired, particularly regarding the convenience and safety expected from a modern SUV in this class.
