Family road trips have a way of turning into full productions. It is never just getting in the car and driving. It is packing for multiple people, managing kids for hours, and hoping the vehicle can actually handle everything you are about to put it through. When Mazda offered me the chance to take the 2026 Mazda CX-90 on a real road trip, not just a quick drive, I said yes immediately. Then I thought about what that actually meant. Two kids, my husband, seven hours on the road, and more luggage than I would like to admit.
We drove from Maryland to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and I paid attention to everything along the way. The space, the drive, the technology, and how it handled real family travel. By the end of the trip, I was genuinely surprised in a way I did not expect.
If you want to see the exact model, you can check it out here: https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-90
First Impressions: That Soul Red Crystal Color Hits Different
Before we even started driving, the first thing that stood out was how the car looked. The Soul Red Crystal Metallic exterior paired with the Black Nappa Leather interior gives the CX-90 a sleek, elevated feel that does not come across like a typical family SUV. It felt polished and modern in a way that immediately changed my expectations.
That impression carried into real life moments too. While we were in Myrtle Beach, a stranger walked over in a parking lot just to compliment the car. No conversation, no context, just appreciation for the color. It is the kind of detail you do not think about until you see how people react to it.
Packing for a Family of 4: How Much Can the CX-90 Really Hold?
Packing was where I expected the first challenge. A beach trip for a family of four usually means multiple bags, extra items, and the usual process of rearranging everything to make it fit. Instead, we folded down the third row, loaded the vehicle once, and everything fit without needing to shift anything around.
What stood out even more was that the cargo did not block my rearview visibility. In other vehicles, I am used to stacking bags higher than I would like and constantly adjusting to see around them. In the CX-90, everything sat lower and more evenly, which made the entire drive feel more comfortable and controlled.
With up to 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats are folded and around 40 cubic feet with just the third row down, it handled a full family trip without feeling cramped. The hands-free power liftgate also made loading and unloading feel simple, especially when juggling bags and kids at the same time.
The Drive: 340 Horsepower That Actually Feels Like It
Once we got on the road, the drive itself is where the CX-90 started to stand out in a more noticeable way. The 3.3L Inline-6 Turbo Mild Hybrid engine with 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque delivers power in a way that feels immediate and smooth, especially when merging onto the highway.
There was no hesitation or lag, which is something I have experienced in other SUVs. Instead, the acceleration felt controlled and responsive, making it easy to move with confidence in traffic. I drove most of the trip in Sport Mode, and it changed the overall feel of the drive. The handling felt tighter, and the car responded quickly without feeling heavy.
A seven-hour drive is usually something you push through, but this felt different. It was comfortable without being boring, which made the time on the road feel much more manageable.
Safety Features That Actually Work in Real Life
One of the most important moments on this trip had nothing to do with comfort or performance, but safety. While driving on the highway, I began to change lanes after checking my mirrors and believed the lane was clear. The blind spot monitoring system immediately alerted me that another car was positioned where I could not fully see it.
It was a clear and immediate warning that prevented what could have been a serious situation. That moment alone changed how I viewed the vehicle.
The CX-90 includes Mazda’s i-Activsense safety suite, which features systems like Blind Spot Monitoring, Smart Brake Support, and a 360° View Monitor with See-Through View. These are not just features listed on paper. They actively support you while driving and provide a level of awareness that is especially important when traveling with family.
The Tech: Wireless Apple CarPlay Changed My Life
Technology can either make driving easier or feel like something extra to manage. In this case, it made everything easier.
Wireless Apple CarPlay connected automatically within seconds of getting in the car. There was no need to plug anything in or set anything up. Navigation was already displayed on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and everything felt ready to go without extra steps.
The heads-up display added another level of convenience by showing speed and navigation directly in my line of sight, which meant I did not have to look away from the road as often. Over the course of a long drive, that small detail makes a big difference.
The Bose 12-speaker premium audio system also stood out. It created a clear, immersive sound throughout the vehicle, making music and entertainment part of the overall experience rather than background noise.
Road Trip Stops: The CX-90 in Action
We made a few stops along the way, which gave me a chance to see how the CX-90 handled outside of highway driving. On the return trip, we stopped at Lake View Park in South Carolina, a quiet and scenic location that felt like an unexpected break from the drive.
We also stopped at South of the Border, which is a well-known landmark along the route. Each stop required unloading, parking, and getting back on the road efficiently, and the vehicle handled those transitions easily.
Fuel efficiency also stood out more than expected. We were able to drive approximately four and a half hours before needing to refuel, which felt reasonable given the size and performance of the vehicle.
Parking in a Tourist Beach Town? The CX-90 Makes It Easy
Myrtle Beach in the summer can be difficult when it comes to parking, especially in busy areas. At one point, I needed to parallel park, which is not something I typically enjoy.
The 360° View Monitor provided a clear visual of the car’s position relative to other vehicles and the curb. Instead of relying on guesswork, I could see exactly where I was, which made parking feel much more manageable.
In tighter spaces and crowded areas, having that level of visibility made a noticeable difference.
The Kids Loved It Too
The backseat experience is just as important on a long trip, especially with kids. The CX-90’s layout provided enough space for each child to sit comfortably without feeling crowded, which helped avoid some of the usual tension that can come with long drives.
The rear sun shades helped reduce direct sunlight without blocking natural light, and the panoramic views made the space feel open rather than enclosed. Over the course of the trip, the kids remained comfortable, which made the entire drive easier for everyone.
My Final Verdict on the 2026 Mazda CX-90
After a full road trip, the CX-90 proved itself in ways that go beyond a short test drive. It handled the space and packing needs of a family, delivered a smooth and responsive driving experience, and included safety features that actively supported the drive when it mattered most.
It does not feel like a compromise between function and style. Instead, it brings both together in a way that works for real life.
For families who need space, drivers who enjoy performance, and anyone looking for a vehicle that makes longer trips feel easier, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 stands out as a strong option.
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