2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was available in three variants: the 3.3 Turbo, the 3.3 Turbo S, and the PHEV. Depending on the variant, trim levels included Select, Preferred, Premium, Premium Sport, and Premium Plus, with pricing ranging from $39,575 to $59,480. The 3.3 Turbo test vehicle featured the Premium Plus trim and Soul Red paint, bringing the MSRP to $51,450. The CX-90's exterior boasted lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels, giving it a luxury SUV appearance. Its sculptural sheet metal and design elements contributed to a low, long, athletic look. Inside, the CX-90 continued the premium feel with polished metallic trim, Nappa leather, and clearly marked switchgear, though some materials reflected its competitive pricing. Ergonomic issues included a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls, but overall, the CX-90 exuded sophistication compared to other midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe was offered in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Debuting in 2024, this fifth-generation Santa Fe retained its chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps aligned with Hyundai's design aesthetic, and the company offered vibrant colors like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue. The rear design, however, suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned too low. Each trim had specific wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, and the XRT trim added chrome and black trim with black roof rails. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Calligraphy trim, which featured captain's chairs. Interior materials ranged from basic cloth to luxurious Nappa leather. While the fit and finish were generally good, some squeaks and rattles were noted. The inclusion of physical HVAC dials was appreciated, though fan speed buttons were less intuitive.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's 3.3 Turbo model featured a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine, producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo S variant delivered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft, or 340 hp with premium gas. Power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard AWD system, which biased power to the rear wheels for improved dynamics. The CX-90 offered driving modes like Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Despite its impressive ride and handling, the drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior, especially when cold. The CX-90's suspension was firm and communicative, providing a dynamic driving experience, though the 21-inch wheels contributed to a less compliant ride. In Sport mode, the CX-90's throttle response and steering were more aggressive, but Normal mode offered smoother driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It offered FWD or AWD, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting duties. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners, with firm brakes and responsive steering, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some getting used to. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, enhancing off-road capability. While the Santa Fe's off-road geometry was decent, it wasn't suited for rugged terrain, better suited for graded dirt roads.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior, despite California's cool summer, struggled with climate control, taking time to cool down. The 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a heated steering wheel. The panoramic sunroof provided ample natural light, and second-row passengers enjoyed comfortable seating. However, the CX-90's long rear doors made loading children challenging, and the third row was best for children on longer trips. Storage space was limited, with a smartphone charging tray, a shallow bin, and a sizable glove compartment. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 40 cubic feet with the third row folded and 74.2 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's base SE trim offered a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone climate control, and a dual-way center console. The XRT trim added heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet. The Calligraphy trim featured heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a premium audio system. All Santa Fe models had a two-level glove box, with upper trims offering a UV-C sanitizer. The Santa Fe boasted the most third-row legroom in its class, with adjustable second-row seat cushions. Cargo space was generous, with 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 79.6 cubic feet with both rows folded. The rear opening was widened to 50.2 inches, accommodating larger items. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, with the XRT capable of 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, presented in a traditional manner. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring the use of a knob and buttons for the native Mazda Connect platform. The voice recognition system was inconsistent, but a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Mazda's Active Driving Display, which provided helpful data and blind-spot alerts.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the top trims also featuring a digital gauge cluster. The system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and quick response times. While not all trims had built-in navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. Upper trims offered Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging. The digital key feature allowed unlocking and starting the car with a phone or Apple Watch. A digital rearview mirror and head-up display were available on higher trims. The Bluelink app provided remote connectivity and over-the-air updates.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of four midsize, three-row, gas-powered SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The CX-90 PHEV earned five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests, while gas-only models received four-star frontal-impact ratings. 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. The Cruising and Traffic Support system paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, though it had some issues with speed reduction and lane markings.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, forward-collision avoidance assist, lane keeping and following assist, and safe exit assist. Higher trims added rear parking collision avoidance assist, side park distance warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Highway Drive Assist feature combined adaptive cruise control and lane following assist, though it occasionally exhibited erratic behavior in traffic. The top trim included a blind spot avoidance feature and a Blind-View Monitor. The NHTSA gave the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it as Good in most categories, with Acceptable ratings for headlights and LATCH.