This is a Motormouth couple comparison of the all-new Honda Pilot mid-size SUV versus the all-new mid-size Mazda CX90 SUV.
The new Honda Pilot has a 3.5L V6 with a 10-speed automatic transmission, 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. In Canada, standard AWD but in the US, FWD and AWD options are available.
The new Mazda CX-90 has a 3.3L inline 6 turbo with a mild hybrid system and an 8-speed automatic transmission. There are two variations, the standard model has 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, the high output 3.3L turbo with premium fuel gets 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. You can put regular fuel in the high output model but you will get a lower horsepower number, torque stays the same. Standard rear-biased AWD.
The new Mazda CX-90 is almost 2” longer than the Pilot and offers about half an inch more front row legroom. The Pilot has an extra 1.4” of second row legroom and an extra inch in the third row. The Pilot’s cargo space behind the third row is a little larger with an extra 3.7 cubic feet and overall cargo space is also bigger with an extra 12.8 cubic feet.
In Canada, the CX-90 best value trim goes to the standard engine GT 7-passenger model for $55,350 CAD and the Pilot EX-L 8-passenger model for $54,450 CAD. They have similar features including wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto but the Pilot adds a power passenger seat and driver seat memory to this trim. Keep in mind the larger 12.3” screens are only available on the CX-90 top trim and the Pilot’s 10.2” digital driver display on the top trim as well.
In the US, the best value trim is the CX-90 Premium Plus 7-passenger model with the standard engine for $52,950 USD (includes the 12.3” dual screens) and the Pilot Elite model for $52,030 USD. This Pilot trim includes the removeable middle seat making it a 7 or 8 passenger vehicle.
The CX-90 starts at $45,900 CAD/$39,595 USD and the Pilot AWD $50,650 CAD/$41,250 USD. There is a stripped-down Pilot LX FWD model in the US for $35,950 USD.
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