Is the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Sport worth the leap?
The Mazda CX-90 is attracting intrigue as a relatively new three-row full-size SUV starting at under $40,000. However, the model’s newness can result in a lack of trim familiarity, triggering buyer hesitation. The CX-90 offers a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version, but we’ll focus on its pure internal combustion engine (ICE) model, available in six trims. More specifically, this guide spotlights features and in-cabin amenities for the 2026 CX-90’s second-least-expensive trim, the 3.3 Turbo Preferred, starting at $42,950, versus the second-most-expensive variant, the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Sport, starting at $53,940. Keep reading to see which version strikes the best balance between suiting your driving needs, preferences, and budget.
Understanding the Turbo S Premium Sport’s tuning advantages
While both trims get a 3.3-liter turbo inline-six, you’ll receive 280 horsepower with the 3.3 Turbo Preferred or 319 horsepower with the Turbo S Premium Sport via regular unleaded fuel. Using premium unleaded fuel, the Turbo Preferred’s horsepower stays at 280, but the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Sport’s horsepower increases to 340. No matter your fuel type, torque remains the same at 332 lb-ft in the Turbo Preferred and 369 lb-ft in the Turbo S Premium Sport. Both trims feature standard all-wheel drive (AWD), an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a fuel economy rating of 23/28 city/highway.
Nappa leather defines the Turbo S Premium Sport’s added interior luxury
One noteworthy difference between these trims’ interiors is that the CX-90 Turbo Preferred is limited to an eight-seat configuration, while the Turbo S Premium can be equipped with either seven or eight seats. You’ll receive the same eight-way, power-adjustable, heated/ventilated driver and front passenger seats in both variants, but the Turbo S Premium distinguishes its cabin with interior-matched door panel inserts with contrast stitching and piping instead of the Turbo Preferred’s black door panel inserts with piping. The Turbo S Premium also adds Nappa leather-trimmed seats versus standard leather, along with LED illumination in the front/rear console areas and front/rear door pockets. Regarding interior colors, you can have Greige or Black leather within the lower-priced Turbo Preferred, and Black or White within the Turbo S Premium Sport.
How the Turbo S Premium Sport enhances connectivity and safety
You’ll find a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen in both the Turbo Preferred and Turbo S Premium Sport. However, the Turbo S Premium Sport features a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster with traffic sign recognition, whereas the Turbo Preferred features a 7-inch LCD. Additionally, while each trim has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Turbo Preferred features eight speakers, and the Turbo S Premium Sport boasts a 12-speaker Bose audio system. On the safety front, the Turbo S Premium Sport offers valuable advanced driver-assist features such as a 360-degree view monitor with see-through and trailer hitch views, emergency lane keeping with blind spot assist, road-keep assist, head-on traffic avoidance assist, front cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitoring system.
Comparing exterior accents and grille designs
Exterior additions to the Turbo S Premium Sport include signature lighting on the LED combination taillights, an adaptive front lighting system, an auto-dimming driver’s side mirror, tilt-in-reverse and power-folding side mirror functionality, and a sporty shark fin antenna. Wheel sizes remain the same between both trims at 21 inches, but the Turbo S Premium Sport receives a black finish instead of the Turbo Preferred’s silver finish. Separate blacked-out elements on the Turbo S Premium Sport’s exterior consist of the fender badge, AWD badge, and roof rails. While the Turbo Preferred also features black wheel arches and side moldings, the Turbo S Premium Sport’s finish is gloss black. The grilles between these trims are also different: the Turbo Preferred uses a bar-type front grille with a black finish, while the Turbo S Premium Sport features a honeycomb front grille mesh with a black finish.
Final thoughts
The 2026 Mazda CX-90’s upper Turbo S Premium Sport trim helps justify its cost with more advanced driver-assist features, sleek exterior styling touches, and Nappa leather, but the most significant differentiator is its enhanced power. If you’re seeking more power and seven seats in a three-row full-size SUV, the Turbo S Premium Sport is worth its extra cost. However, if power and a seven-seat configuration aren’t enough motivation to spend extra, there aren’t enough notable differences between these two trims to spend almost $11,000 more on the upper version.
About the author
Cody Carlson
Contributing Writer, Autoblog