2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented itself as a formidable contender in the luxury SUV market, challenging the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz with its sophisticated design and high-quality materials. Mazda had surpassed its Japanese counterparts, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota, in terms of design and material quality, edging closer to the luxury arms of those brands. The CX-90's exterior was a supersized version of the elegant design language seen in the smaller CX-30 and CX-5 models. Its imposing presence was marked by a large grille, wide-set front end, and wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches, all accentuated by tasteful chrome trim. Inside, the top-tier models boasted interiors that could rival luxury brands, featuring brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic bits, creating an upscale ambiance.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its distinctive appearance, drawing retro comparisons to the Lancia Delta while standing out on modern roads. The mid-cycle refresh retained the iconic "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, round wheel arches, and a high rear spoiler, with minor revisions to the lower front fascia. The new XRT trim added a rugged aesthetic with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern. Exclusive colors like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl further distinguished the XRT, while the color palette expanded with Atlas White Matte and Ecotronic Gray Matte. The interior remained minimalistic and modern, with minor changes enhancing functionality, such as the revised center console. The XRT trim leaned towards a rugged feel with its dark interior and all-weather floor mats.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option, aiming for improved fuel economy and performance over the outgoing CX-9. The turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine came in two iterations, with the base spec delivering 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded I6 in the Turbo S trims produced 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All models featured all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 Turbo S offered three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with noticeable differences in behavior between Normal and Sport modes. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It offered an all-electric range of 26 miles and an EPA-estimated 56 MPGe in combined driving. Both models excelled in handling, with the CX-90's larger platform and double-wishbone front suspension contributing to its agility.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT featured a Terrain Mode button on the steering wheel, offering Snow, Mud, and Sand options that adjusted throttle mapping, wheel slip, power distribution, and regenerative braking. The XRT handled off-road conditions admirably, with all-terrain tires providing confidence and control. The Ioniq 5's battery capacity increased for 2025, extending the range to 318 miles in single-motor, RWD configuration, while AWD models offered 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. The XRT, available only in AWD, had a range of 259 miles. The Ioniq 5's instant torque provided a fun driving experience, despite its weight exceeding 4,000 pounds.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, with lower-level trims seating eight passengers and mid-level trims featuring captain's chairs. The Turbo S had a two-seat configuration in the third row, with the base trim seating seven and the Premium models seating six. Cargo space varied slightly, with models featuring a two-seater third row offering 75.2 cubic feet of total cargo space. The CX-90's interior featured ample storage options, including a large center console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. The materials and upholstery were of high quality, and the panoramic sunroof added to the comfort.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper and revising the center console for improved functionality. Heated front seats were standard, with the SEL trim adding a heated steering wheel. The Limited trim offered front seat ventilation and driver's seat memory. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, with generous legroom and cargo space measuring 26.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up. The Ioniq 5 transitioned to the North American Charging System (NACS), allowing access to the Tesla Supercharger network, and included a Combined Charging System (CCS) adapter for public and fast charging.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on eliminating distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used hard buttons and a rotary control knob instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to reduce distraction, the setup proved frustrating for some users. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software that adjusted settings based on facial recognition, and it came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless functionality in higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT trim. The Ioniq 5 featured standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and five USB-C ports, with a clever USB feature allowing users to choose between charging and data transmitting. A head-up display was available on the Limited trim, and a wireless charging pad was included from the SEL trim level.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more. The top-spec Turbo S Premium Plus model featured cruising and traffic support, blending lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on the CX-9's accolades.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its high safety standards, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. New standard safety features included an enhanced driver attention system and parking-distance warnings. Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2 were available, with HDA 2 offering lane-changing capability and machine learning for improved performance.