2026 Mazda CX-50 Meridian And CX-90 Turbo S Review: Two SUVs With Very Different Missions

Mazda Still Cares About Drivers

Mazda continues to do something many automakers have slowly moved away from. It still builds SUVs that feel like they were made for people who enjoy driving.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition and 2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport both lean into that idea. However, they do it in completely different ways. The CX-50 Meridian Edition is the smaller, outdoorsy crossover with turbo punch, all-wheel drive, and rugged styling. The CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport is the larger three-row SUV with a stronger engine, a more premium look, and enough room for family duty.

After spending time with both, the biggest takeaway is clear. Mazda knows how to tune a vehicle. Both SUVs feel sharper, more connected, and more enjoyable than most vehicles in their segments. Still, neither is perfect. The CX-50 Meridian Edition looks adventurous, but it feels more mild than wild. The CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport brings luxury ambition, but its seats and third row keep it from feeling fully premium.

Together, these two Mazdas show the brand’s strengths and weaknesses. They are stylish, athletic, and confident. They also share a few frustrations that Mazda needs to address.

2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition Review

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition starts at $40,400.

That puts the Meridian Edition in an interesting spot. It is not a cheap compact SUV, but it also does not feel wildly overpriced when you factor in the turbo engine, standard all-wheel drive, leather interior, all-terrain tires, and unique styling touches.

Mazda clearly designed the Meridian Edition for buyers who want a crossover with personality. It has gloss-black Mazda badges, black roof rails, a hood graphic, and 18-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires. The tires are sized 225/60R18 and help give the CX-50 an outdoorsy look.

However, the Meridian Edition is more about appearance than true off-road capability. It has 8.6 inches of ground clearance, standard i-Activ all-wheel drive, and drive modes for Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing. It can also tow up to 3,500 pounds. That makes it useful for light trails, snowy roads, dirt paths, and weekend adventure duty.

Still, this is not a full overlanding machine. It looks cool, sporty, and outdoorsy, almost like Mazda’s answer to a Subaru-style adventure crossover. Yet it feels more like a fun daily driver wearing hiking boots than a serious trail rig.

CX-50 Turbo Performance And Driving Feel

The best part of the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition is the way it drives.

The 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular 87-octane fuel. On 93-octane premium gas, output rises to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.

That premium fuel recommendation matters. Once again, Mazda gives you better performance when you feed it premium. The CX-50 does not feel slow on regular gas, but the turbo engine comes alive with premium fuel. It delivers strong low-end torque that almost feels diesel-like. Around town, that makes the CX-50 feel quick, eager, and responsive.

The six-speed automatic transmission also fits the personality of the SUV. Some competitors offer more gears, but Mazda’s setup feels direct and predictable. It does not constantly hunt for the right gear. Instead, it helps the CX-50 feel more natural when accelerating, passing, or merging.

The handling is where the CX-50 really separates itself. It feels more like a sport wagon than a bulky SUV. The steering is sharp, the chassis feels rigid, and the body control gives the driver confidence. It turns in quickly and feels planted in a way many compact SUVs do not.

That makes the CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition fun. Not just “fun for a crossover,” but genuinely fun.

CX-50 Interior, Tech, and Comfort

Inside, the Meridian Edition gets exclusive Terracotta leather seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The color gives the cabin a warmer and more special feel. It works well with the rugged exterior touches.

Mazda’s 10.25-inch center display includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mazda Online Navigation is also included. After spending time in multiple Mazda vehicles, the infotainment controller and center console button placement became easier to use. However, it still takes adjustment if you are coming from a more traditional touchscreen-heavy setup.

The cabin feels nicely built, but the CX-50 is still more sporty than plush. The seats offer support, but Mazda seats continue to lean firm. That helps during spirited driving, but it can make longer road trips less relaxing than they should be.

The Bose sound system is a major highlight. Mazda’s Bose setups continue to impress, and the sound quality in both vehicles tested was excellent.

CX-50 Fuel Economy In Real-World Driving

Fuel economy was not a strong point during my time with the CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition.

With my driving habits, I saw about 17.5 mpg. That is not great for a compact SUV, but it also reflects how tempting the turbo engine can be in Sport Mode. The CX-50 encourages spirited driving, especially in Sport mode or during quick city acceleration.

Drivers who stay lighter on the throttle will likely see better numbers. However, anyone buying the Turbo Meridian Edition should know the performance comes with a fuel economy trade-off.

2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition Verdict

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition is a great choice for someone who wants a compact SUV with character. It looks more adventurous than a regular commuter crossover. It also drives better than most rivals in its class.

However, it is not as rugged as the styling suggests. The Meridian Edition feels more like an appearance and tire package than a serious off-road trim. That is not a deal-breaker, but it is important.

If you plan to do light-duty off-roading, want all-terrain styling, and still care about sharp handling, the CX-50 Meridian Edition makes sense. It delivers personality, performance, and Mazda’s signature driving feel.

Rating: 7/10

2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport Review

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport is a very different kind of SUV.

Where the CX-50 feels compact, punchy, and adventure-minded, the CX-90 feels bigger, more refined, and more ambitious. It is Mazda’s three-row flagship, and the Turbo S Premium Sport trim gives it a stealthy, upscale look.

The tester came finished in Machine Gray Metallic with black Nappa leather. It also had 21-inch gloss-black aluminum alloy wheels, gloss-black exterior accents, black roof rails, black mirror caps, a dark honeycomb-style grille, and blacked-out window trim.

The result is one of the better-looking three-row SUVs in its price range. It looks sophisticated without trying too hard. It also has enough aggression to stand out from more conservative family haulers.

The tested CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport had a total MSRP of $56,065. That places it below many European luxury SUVs while still offering a premium design, strong performance, and plenty of equipment.

CX-90 Turbo S Power And Driving Dynamics

The CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport uses a 3.3-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-six engine. It produces 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque when running on premium fuel.

Again, premium fuel is recommended. That surprised me when filling up, but it also makes sense once you feel the performance. The CX-90 has a smooth, strong, and confident power delivery. It does not feel lazy or overworked, even though it is a larger three-row SUV.

Mazda built the CX-90 on a rear-wheel-drive-biased platform, and that decision makes a major difference. The SUV feels balanced in a way many front-wheel-drive-based family SUVs do not. The all-wheel-drive system adds confidence, especially during road trips, wet roads, or rougher surfaces.

I took the CX-90 to the casino and Lake Livingston, and it made the drive easy and comfortable. I always prefer all-wheel-drive vehicles, even when the weather does not demand it. There is something reassuring about having that extra grip available.

The CX-90 also uses double-wishbone front suspension and Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control system. In real-world driving, that helps the SUV feel more composed around corners and roundabouts. It does not drive like a small car, but it feels more athletic than its size suggests.

For a three-row SUV, the CX-90 is impressive. It delivers performance when needed and never feels dull.

CX-90 Interior, Seating, and Road Trip Comfort

Inside, the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport feels clean, modern, and upscale. The black Nappa leather looks sharp, while the dashboard and console design feel simple and uncluttered.

However, the interior may be a little too simple for some buyers. It looks premium, but parts of the design feel more economical than expected at this price point. Mazda’s minimal approach helps the cabin feel clean, but it also holds the CX-90 back from feeling truly luxurious.

The seats are another mixed point. Mazda seats continue to feel too stiff for my liking. That has been my experience across multiple Mazda models. The leather looks good, and the seats provide support, but they are not as plush as I would want for long road trips.

Thankfully, ventilated front seats help a lot. That feature makes a major difference, especially in Texas. The second row is also comfortable, and the rear passenger window shades are a great family-friendly touch.

The first and second rows offer good space and support. The wide-opening rear doors also make loading passengers easier. However, the third row is limited. It is best for children or short trips because foot space and thigh support are not generous.

Cargo space is also modest behind the third row. The CX-90 offers enough utility for normal family use, but it is not the best choice if maximum cargo room or third-row comfort is your top priority.

CX-90 Tech And Features

The CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport comes well-equipped. It includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The panoramic roof helps the cabin feel more spacious. That matters in a three-row SUV, especially when the black interior could otherwise make the cabin feel darker.

The Bose sound system is excellent. It was one of my favorite features in both Mazda SUVs. Whether listening to music, podcasts, or radio, the system feels crisp and powerful without sounding harsh.

Mazda’s infotainment setup takes time to learn, but I became more comfortable with it after driving several Mazda vehicles. The center console controls make more sense after a few days. Still, Apple CarPlay connectivity was not always perfect, which created some frustration.

When wireless Apple CarPlay works, it is convenient. When it does not connect smoothly, it becomes annoying fast.

CX-90 Fuel Economy In Real-World Driving

The CX-90 surprised me with its fuel economy.

I averaged about 23 mpg, and I spent plenty of time in Sport mode. For a three-row SUV with 340 horsepower and all-wheel drive, that result was better than expected.

The window sticker rates the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport at 25 mpg combined, 23 mpg city, and 28 mpg highway. My real-world number landed close to that city estimate, which feels reasonable based on how I drove it.

Two Mazda Features That Frustrated Me In Both SUVs

Both Mazdas had two things that really bothered me.

First, the lane-keeping or handling support feature was too aggressive and too hidden when trying to turn it off. This is not just a Mazda complaint. It applies to many modern cars.

I do not want a vehicle strongly pulling or correcting me during a quick movement, especially when construction lines are confusing or the road markings are messy. These systems can help in the right situation, but they can also feel intrusive. Automakers need to make them easier to disable and less aggressive by default.

Second, the locking behavior was frustrating in both vehicles. I found myself getting locked out almost immediately after closing the door. Sometimes, I would close the driver’s door and walk around to grab something from the other side, only to find the vehicle already locked again.

The mirrors would fold in almost instantly, too. It felt too fast and too aggressive. Maybe it was a setting, but the experience became annoying in daily use. A vehicle should feel smart and helpful, not like it is racing to lock you out.

2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport Verdict

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport is a strong choice for drivers who need a three-row SUV but refuse to give up driving enjoyment.

It looks fantastic, especially with Machine Gray Metallic paint and black wheels. It has strong power, confident all-wheel drive, and better handling than many family SUVs. It also feels like a smart alternative to more expensive European models.

However, it is not perfect. The seats are firmer than I prefer, the third row is cramped, and the interior could feel more luxurious. Apple CarPlay connectivity and the overly quick locking behavior also add frustration.

Still, the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport does a lot right. It works well for drivers who want space, style, and performance in one package.

Rating: 7.5/10

Which 2026 Mazda SUV Is Better?

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition and 2026 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport serve different buyers.

The CX-50 Meridian Edition is better for someone who wants a smaller, sportier SUV with a light adventure style. It is fun to drive, easy to enjoy, and more interesting than many compact crossovers. However, it is not as rugged as it looks.

The CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport is better for families or drivers who need three rows. It brings more power, more space, and a more upscale presence. It also feels like a strong value compared with premium European SUVs.

Both vehicles prove Mazda still understands driving feel. That matters. In a world full of numb SUVs, Mazda continues to build vehicles with steering feel, strong engines, and personality.

The CX-50 is the fun weekend crossover. The CX-90 is the stylish family hauler with real performance. Both have flaws, but both remind you that an SUV does not have to be boring.