2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 aimed to capture a luxury image that had traditionally been associated with brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Mazda had surpassed other Japanese manufacturers such as Honda, Nissan, and Toyota when it came to design and material quality. This brought Mazda closer to luxury contenders like Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus. From the exterior, the all-new Mazda CX-90 took the elegant design language of smaller models like the CX-30 and CX-5 and magnified it significantly. At over 200 inches in length, the CX-90 presented an imposing figure. Its large grille, wide-set front end, and substantial wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches demanded attention. With the addition of tasteful chrome trim, the SUV managed to maintain an air of elegance despite its size.

The interior of the CX-90 offered an even more impressive display. Top-tier trims showcased an interior that rivaled some of the best luxury brands. Premium models featured brown suede upholstery covering the dash, complemented by wood inlays and matte black plastic components, moving away from any tacky aesthetics. The interior design was described as stylish and comfortable, delivering a luxurious feel that could make a BMW X5 seem overpriced in comparison. Although all trims benefited from the refined design language, the variety ranged from the base CX-90 Turbo to the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models and the high-performance CX-90 Turbo S.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its instantly recognizable burly, body-on-frame appearance, with notable updates for the model year. Every Wrangler shared this rugged look, and while the keen-eyed might notice subtle differences like larger tires on high-end models such as the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392, the overall aesthetic remained consistent. A redesigned grille, first seen on the 2023 20th Anniversary edition of the Wrangler Rubicon, was shorter and wider, allowing for improved airflow to the engine bay. Additionally, the antenna was integrated into the windshield to prevent snagging on off-road trails. Jeep introduced 10 new wheel designs for the Wrangler, enhancing customization options.

The Wrangler was built for adventure, offering a variety of roof options including traditional soft-tops, full hard tops, and power-retractable sunroofs. Features such as fold-down windshields and removable doors enhanced its off-road appeal. These customizable elements allowed owners to tailor their Wrangler to different levels of open-air experience, making it versatile for various driving conditions.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains—the first Mazda SUV to offer a plug-in hybrid option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. These powertrains marked a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the CX-9. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the enhanced version in the CX-90 Turbo S jumped to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. All models came with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with noticeable differences when switching between them.

The CX-90 PHEV had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, delivering 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This configuration allowed for an all-electric driving range of 26 miles and an EPA-estimated 56 MPGe in combined driving. While the PHEV couldn’t match the Turbo S for auditory excitement, it offered commendable handling performance. The CX-90’s double-wishbone front suspension contributed to its agility in corners, making it feel capable of precise driving akin to much smaller vehicles. Mazda built its reputation on creating enjoyable driver’s cars, and the CX-90 exemplified this, maintaining driver-focused performance in a family-friendly package.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler was available with a variety of powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a powerful 6.4-liter V8 generating 470 horsepower and matching the formidable 470 pound-feet of torque. The PHEV Wrangler 4xe combined the 2.0-liter turbo engine with electric motors to deliver 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with 21 miles of all-electric range.

Wranglers were equipped with assorted transfer cases, enhancing their off-road prowess. Options ranged from the basic Command-Trac 4WD system to the advanced Rock-Trac system available in the Rubicon models. Transmission choices included an eight-speed automatic and a six-speed manual, with solid front and rear axles providing significant articulation for off-road adventures. The Wrangler’s Offroad+ button adjusted throttle, traction control, and shift points for optimal performance in various conditions.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a variety of seating configurations across its different trims. Lower-level trims of the Turbo and PHEV models could seat up to eight passengers, while mid-level trims replaced the second-row bench with captain’s chairs, typically seating seven. The Turbo S models featured a third-row two-seat configuration, with the base trim seating seven in a 2-3-2 layout and higher trims seating six.

Cargo space in the CX-90 varied based on the seating arrangement. Models with a two-seat third row offered 75.2 cubic feet of total cargo space, 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row, and 40.1 cubic feet behind the second row. Models with three-across seating in the back had slightly less cargo space, with 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 40.0 cubic feet behind the second, and 74.2 cubic feet when all seats were folded. These figures marked an improvement over the CX-9, but the CX-90 still lagged behind competitors like the Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander in terms of cargo capacity and third-row legroom. However, the CX-90 made up for it with its luxurious materials, comfortable seats, and clever storage solutions, such as spacious door pockets, a large center console, and cupholders placed strategically.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler boasted an improved towing capacity, upgraded to 5,000 pounds from the previous 3,500-pound limit, thanks to a full-float solid rear axle. This capacity applied only to four-door Rubicon models equipped with specific engines and tires. Inside, the Wrangler offered heated seats and a heated steering wheel but lacked ventilated seats. New for 2024 were 12-way power-adjustable front seats that remained functional even when submerged during off-road fording.

Additionally, the Wrangler featured a 30-amp Power Box in the 4xe model, utilizing the 17.3-kWh battery to power various accessories. It offered convenience features suitable for adventure and ensured durability with user-friendly interior adjustments.

Mazda's objective for the 2024 CX-90 was to eliminate distractions to ensure safety, reflected in its infotainment setup which eschewed a touchscreen interface. Instead, it employed a set of hard buttons on the center console and a rotary control knob. This design was intended to minimize distractions, although some users found it less intuitive compared to traditional touchscreens. The Mazda Connect system's quirky idiosyncrasies made basic functions more distracting to manage.

However, Mazda included personalization software that used facial recognition to adjust settings automatically. The CX-90 also featured standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls enabled through these platforms. This provided familiar and user-friendly options for most users.

For the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, every model received a 12.3-inch center infotainment screen running the Uconnect5 system. Known for its clean graphics and ease of use, the new system offered a noticeable upgrade in speed, particularly when accessing Off-Road Pages. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with numerous USB-A and USB-C ports throughout the cabin. Notable features included the Trails Offroad feature, providing information on over 200 trails for free, with an expanded version available via subscription. Other tech features included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and up to five storable user profiles.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came with the i-Activsense suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard. This suite included features often optional in other vehicles, such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, smart brake support, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit warning. The CX-90 also had lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. Additional features like cruising and traffic support blended lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. Though not crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, it was anticipated to perform well given the CX-9’s previous safety ratings.

In terms of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, the integration of first- and second-row side-curtain airbags marked a significant safety upgrade. Forward collision warning was standard on all but the base model, while options like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and park assist were available in packages for other trims. The Wrangler didn’t offer lane-keeping assist or similar highway assist features. Safety ratings for the 2024 model were not available, but based on 2023 data, the Wrangler had mixed results with moderate frontal and side crash ratings from IIHS and varied scores from NHTSA.