The 2025 Mazda CX-90 comes in four main trim levels, each with different standard features and pricing

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is a compact luxury crossover offered in four configurations: Base, Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus. Each trim adds features and upgrades as you move up the lineup. The Base model starts with essential comfort and safety features, while higher trims add leather seating, advanced technology, and premium audio systems. Understanding what comes standard at each level helps you decide which configuration matches your needs and budget.

All 2025 CX-90 models use the same engine: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 228 horsepower. Every trim comes with front-wheel drive as standard, though all-wheel drive is available across the entire lineup. The main differences between trims are interior materials, technology packages, and comfort features rather than performance capabilities.

Key Takeaways

  • The Base trim includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Mazda's i-Activsense safety suite as standard equipment.
  • The Preferred trim adds leather-trimmed seating, a power liftgate, and a Bose premium audio system compared to the Base model.
  • The Premium trim introduces a power moonroof, heated front seats, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
  • The Premium Plus trim is the highest configuration and adds features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic moonroof.
  • All-wheel drive costs the same across every trim level and can be added to any configuration you choose.

Base Trim: Standard features and technology

The Base trim is the entry point to the CX-90 lineup and includes most of the features drivers expect in a modern crossover. You get an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, cloth upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The infotainment system features a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can connect your smartphone for navigation and audio streaming.

Safety equipment comes standard on every 2025 CX-90, regardless of trim. This includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Base trim also has a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors. Mazda's i-Activsense safety suite bundles these features together and is included at no extra cost on all trims.

Interior storage includes a center console with a wireless charging pad for compatible phones, cup holders, and door pockets. The cargo area behind the rear seats holds 17.7 cubic feet of space, which expands to 54.7 cubic feet when you fold down the rear seats. Dual-zone automatic climate control comes standard, allowing the driver and front passenger to set different temperatures.

Preferred Trim: Added comfort and audio quality

The Preferred trim builds on the Base model by upgrading interior materials and adding convenience features. The most noticeable change is the shift to leather-trimmed seating surfaces, which gives the cabin a more upscale feel. The driver's seat gains heating capability, and the front passenger seat becomes power-adjustable as well. Both front seats now have 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support.

The Preferred trim adds a power liftgate, which is useful when your hands are full or when loading cargo in tight spaces. You also get a Bose premium audio system with nine speakers instead of the Base model's standard system. The Bose system delivers noticeably better sound quality for music and podcasts. A power moonroof is not included at this level but remains available as an option.

Technology upgrades on the Preferred include a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that displays more information at a glance. The touchscreen remains 10.25 inches, but the Preferred adds a few additional customization options for how information appears. Heated side mirrors and automatic headlights with high-beam information come standard on this trim.

Premium Trim: Moonroof and enhanced climate control

The Premium trim introduces a power moonroof as standard equipment, which adds natural light and an open-air feeling to the cabin. This is the first trim level where the moonroof comes included rather than as an optional add-on. The Premium also upgrades the climate control system to tri-zone automatic climate, giving rear passengers their own temperature control zone.

Heated front seats come standard on the Premium trim, complementing the heated steering wheel that is also new at this level. These features make winter driving more comfortable and help warm up the cabin faster on cold mornings. The Premium trim maintains the leather-trimmed seating from the Preferred but with additional stitching details and higher-quality leather.

The Premium adds a few technology enhancements, including a head-up display that projects speed, navigation, and other key information onto the windshield so you do not have to look down at the dashboard. The infotainment system gains additional customization options and faster processing. Exterior styling includes a power moonroof, upgraded wheels, and unique trim pieces that distinguish it from lower trims.

Premium Plus Trim: Top-tier features and luxury upgrades

The Premium Plus is the highest configuration in the 2025 CX-90 lineup and includes every available standard feature. The most significant addition is ventilated front seats, which cool the seats during hot weather by circulating air through the leather. This complements the heated seats for year-round comfort. The steering wheel is heated as standard, and the front seats gain additional massage functions not available on lower trims.

The Premium Plus upgrades the moonroof to a panoramic design that extends further back into the roof, creating an even more open feeling in the cabin. Premium leather upholstery with contrast stitching covers all seating surfaces. The rear seats gain heating capability as well, making the entire cabin comfortable for all passengers during cold weather.

Technology on the Premium Plus includes all features from the Premium trim plus additional luxury touches. The sound system remains the Bose premium audio, and the head-up display is standard. Exterior styling includes unique wheel designs, premium paint options, and chrome accents that set the Premium Plus apart visually from other trims.

All-wheel drive availability and performance differences

All-wheel drive is available on every 2025 CX-90 trim level and costs the same regardless of which configuration you choose. The all-wheel-drive system uses Mazda's i-Activall technology, which distributes power between the front and rear wheels based on driving conditions. This improves traction in snow, rain, and on unpaved surfaces compared to front-wheel drive alone.

The all-wheel-drive system does not change the engine's power output or acceleration. Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models produce the same 228 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The main difference is how that power reaches the ground and how the vehicle handles in slippery conditions. All-wheel drive does reduce fuel economy slightly compared to front-wheel drive, though the difference is typically a few miles per gallon.

All-wheel drive adds approximately 150 pounds to the vehicle's weight, which is why fuel economy decreases. The system requires no maintenance beyond regular vehicle service, as it operates automatically without driver input. If you live in an area with frequent snow or heavy rain, all-wheel drive provides meaningful benefits for safety and control.

Optional packages and add-ons across all trims

Beyond the standard features included at each trim level, Mazda offers several optional packages that can be added to any configuration. A navigation package upgrades the infotainment system with built-in GPS and real-time traffic information. This is useful if you prefer not to rely on your smartphone for directions or if you want faster map loading times.

A premium package on higher trims adds features like a surround-view camera system that shows a bird's-eye view of the vehicle when parking. This makes it easier to see obstacles around the CX-90 in tight spaces. Paint color options vary, with some premium metallic finishes costing extra compared to standard colors. Wheel upgrades are also available, allowing you to choose different sizes and designs.

Roof rails and crossbars can be added to any trim for carrying cargo on top of the vehicle. Cargo organizers, floor mats, and other interior accessories are available through Mazda dealers. Some packages bundle multiple features together at a lower total cost than purchasing them individually, so it is worth comparing package pricing against à la carte options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between the Base and Preferred trims?

The Preferred trim adds leather-trimmed seating, a power liftgate, and a Bose premium audio system. Both front seats become power-adjustable with lumbar support, and the driver's seat gains heating. The Base trim has cloth seating and a standard audio system, making the Preferred noticeably more comfortable for daily driving.

Does the Premium Plus trim include a panoramic moonroof?

Yes, the Premium Plus is the only trim that comes standard with a panoramic moonroof, which extends further back into the roof than the standard power moonroof on the Premium trim. The panoramic design creates more open-air feeling and allows more natural light into the cabin.

Can I get all-wheel drive on the Base trim?

Yes, all-wheel drive is available on every trim level, including the Base model. The cost is the same regardless of which trim you choose. All-wheel drive improves traction in snow and rain but reduces fuel economy by a few miles per gallon compared to front-wheel drive.

What safety features come standard on all 2025 CX-90 models?

Every 2025 CX-90 includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera, and front and rear parking sensors. These features are bundled into Mazda's i-Activsense safety suite and come at no extra cost on all trims.

Is the head-up display available on the Base or Preferred trims?

No, the head-up display is standard only on the Premium and Premium Plus trims. It projects speed, navigation, and other information onto the windshield so you can see key details without looking down at the dashboard.