2025 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern aesthetic, reminiscent of a larger version of the Envista. Its front design, with slim DRLs and a large angular grille, drew comparisons to high-end models like Lamborghini. The side profile was slightly more generic, but the overall look was sharper and more refined than its predecessor. The Enclave featured fewer creases, a flatter roof, and subtly sharpened wheel arches, contributing to its sophisticated appearance. Standard 20-inch wheels on the base and Sport Touring trims, with unique touches on the latter, and 22-inch wheels on the Avenir trim, added to its visual appeal.

Inside, the Enclave exuded a modern and premium feel, with a floating center console and a large curved display that echoed the futuristic vibe of electric vehicles. The Sport Touring trim featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's upscale ambiance. However, the limited availability of a panoramic sunroof was a drawback, especially for the base trim. While the Enclave shared some packaging similarities with the Chevy Traverse, it aimed to position itself closer to the luxury spectrum, akin to Cadillac.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 offered three variants: the 3.3 Turbo, 3.3 Turbo S, and PHEV, with pricing ranging from $39,575 to $59,480. Our test vehicle, a 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus, featured lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels, giving it a luxury SUV appearance. The sculptural sheet metal and athletic stance contributed to its sophisticated look. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly designed, with polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, though some materials reflected its competitive pricing.

Ergonomics were a concern, with a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. The infotainment system lacked touchscreen functionality for native functions, relying on a knob and buttons. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-90 exuded sophistication compared to other midsize three-row SUVs. Its ride and handling impressed, though drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior. The CX-90's suspension was firm and communicative, providing a dynamic driving experience, especially in Normal mode.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, with the latter costing an additional $2,000. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg combined for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Active Noise Cancellation was standard for road noise, but engine noise cancellation was only standard on the top trim. The Enclave's turbo engine was loud and tended to rev more than expected, making the optional engine noise cancellation a worthwhile consideration.

The Enclave was classified as a mid-size crossover but drove like a full-size vehicle, with noticeable bulk and loose steering at slower speeds. While not a sports car, its driving dynamics were comparable to competitors like the Mazda CX-90.

The Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo featured a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine, generating 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The 3.3 Turbo S variant offered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft, with 340 hp on premium gas. Power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard AWD system, with a rear-wheel bias for improved dynamics. The CX-90 offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Its fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined, though our testing yielded 21.3 mpg.

The CX-90's ride and handling were impressive, but drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior. Noise and impact harshness were noticeable, and the electronic shifter was fussy. Despite these issues, the CX-90's suspension was firm and communicative, providing a dynamic driving experience, especially in Normal mode.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a seven-person maximum capacity. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, with heated second-row seats and front-row ventilation exclusive to the Avenir trim. Tri-zone climate control was standard, with middle-row passengers having control over their temperature. The Enclave featured a one-touch power feature for folding and sliding second-row seats, available on all trims. The power-folding third-row seats formed a 60/40 split bench, with manual folding on lower trims. The AutoSense liftgate provided easy access to 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 57.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a heated steering wheel in the 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim. The three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the cabin quickly. The panoramic sunroof provided ample natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed comfortable seating with height-adjustable armrests and window shades. However, limited seat-track travel and long rear doors posed challenges for child seat installation and loading. The third row was best suited for children, with limited space for adults on longer trips.

The CX-90's interior storage was limited, with a focus on style over practicality. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 40 cubic feet with the third row down, and 74.2 cubic feet with the second row flattened, which was small for the segment.

The 2025 Buick Enclave's technology offerings highlighted its premium positioning. A large 30-inch curved display integrated the infotainment and digital gauge cluster, though smartphone projection interrupted the seamless design. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system exclusive to the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In for native apps. Wi-Fi hotspot capability and wired charging with USB ports in each row were also included.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, with a traditional gauge cluster and display. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the native Mazda Connect platform relying on a knob and buttons. Mazda's voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, but a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The CX-90's 12-speaker Bose audio system provided a rewarding listening experience, and the Active Driving Display offered helpful data.

The 2025 Buick Enclave prioritized safety with several upgrades over the 2024 model. Standard features included blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with seven selectable camera views was standard, with an option to increase to nine. Adaptive cruise control was standard, while a head-up display was optional. GM's Teen Driver technology and Super Cruise, a highway hands-free driving technology, were available, with a subscription required after three years. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model scored well in most tests.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests for the PHEV variant. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Higher trims added steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, front cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Cruising and Traffic Support was available on higher trims, though it had some limitations in certain driving conditions. The CX-90's driver aids were effective, though the audible warning systems could be overwhelming.