CX-90

Make
Mazda
Segment
SUV

As Mazda continues to unbox the CX-90 SUV, we've now been given a near-complete look at its interior before the family hauler is fully revealed next week. The latest episode of the Mazda CX-90 Unboxed also gives us another look at the brand's new Artisan Red paint.

Mazda and premium-feeling interiors have been synonymous for a while now, as seen with the likes of the CX-5, but it looks like the CX-90 will raise the bar for the Japanese automaker. Throughout the video, Mazda focuses on design themes of simplicity, restraint, "less is more," and the desire to "subtract" or remove any elements that are considered unnecessary.

If any automaker knows how to steer clear of ergonomic gimmicks, it's Mazda, so the CX-90 retains many physical controls and a more traditional shift lever.

In the video, Yasutake Tsuchida, senior director of design, unpacks various aspects of the CX-90's design with Becki Owens, interior designer. There has been a clear focus on neutral, tranquil colors within the CX-90's interior. It's a look that has more in common with the clean, uncluttered layout you'd find in Volvos than the mini nightclub atmosphere inside a modern Mercedes-Benz.

Perforated upholstery, Japanese-inspired stitching on the dashboard, and a rotary dial for the infotainment interface are other elements that help to create an inviting space that also appears easy to interact with. Lighter wood textures have been applied in certain areas, which works well with the chrome detailing and light upholstery options.

Mazda is one of the few automakers to have resisted the touchscreen trend, and the CX-90's screen also appears to be mounted further from the driver than the norm, so nothing seems to have changed in this regard.

Other than its upscale cabin, the video briefly showcases the brand's new Artisan Red exterior paint color which is much darker than the signature Soul Red. It's a shade that suits the more upmarket image portrayed by the CX-90.

Colors and creature comforts aside, the big talking point for the CX-90 will be its 340-horsepower, 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine. Although it doesn't set new records for its output, the smoothness inherent in a six-pot should go a long way to elevating the driving experience of the three-row crossover.

All will be revealed on January 31, when the new CX-90 is fully exposed to the world.