2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler was a testament to rugged design, with its boxy, no-nonsense aesthetic that appealed to off-road enthusiasts. Available in both two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, the Wrangler allowed for a customizable open-air experience with removable doors and a fold-down windshield. Its iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and wide fenders maintained the classic Jeep look, while the introduction of new colours like "Reign" purple and "Earl" grey added a modern twist. Inside, the Wrangler focused on practicality with easy-to-clean surfaces and a straightforward design, eschewing luxury features for a more utilitarian approach.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 exuded elegance and sophistication, drawing inspiration from its smaller siblings, the CX-30 and CX-5, but on a grander scale. Its imposing presence was marked by a large grille, wide-set front end, and tasteful chrome accents, making it a standout in the SUV segment. Inside, the CX-90 offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials like brown suede and wood inlays in top trims, rivaling more expensive luxury brands. The interior design was both stylish and functional, with a focus on comfort and a range of seating configurations to suit different needs.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler was renowned for its off-road prowess, thanks to solid axles and optional differential lockers. It offered a variety of engine options, including the standard 285-horsepower Pentastar V6 and a 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. For those seeking more power, the 470-horsepower V8 in the Rubicon 392 provided thrilling performance, albeit with some on-road handling drawbacks. The Wrangler 4xe PHEV added an eco-friendly option with a 35-kilometre electric range. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Wrangler's on-road performance, particularly in the 392 model, was hampered by vague steering and underwhelming brakes.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid and a turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system. The upgraded 3.3-litre inline-six delivered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, providing a significant performance boost over the outgoing CX-9. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission were standard across the lineup. The CX-90 excelled in handling, with a double-wishbone front suspension and agile cornering capabilities, making it feel more like a smaller vehicle. The PHEV variant offered 323 horsepower and a 42-kilometre electric range, though it fell short of some competitors in terms of EV range.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered comfortable front seats, with heated options available in higher trims. Rear seating was tight, especially in the four-door models, and storage space was limited, with only 2,050 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded. The Wrangler's removable tops provided various open-air configurations, but accessing the rear cargo area with the soft top could be cumbersome. The vehicle was well-equipped with charging points, including USB ports and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 provided a range of seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in lower trims and offering a luxurious six-seat layout in the Turbo Signature trim. Cargo space was slightly improved over the CX-9, with up to 2,129 litres available. The CX-90 featured ample storage options, including a large centre console and spacious door pockets. The interior was adorned with high-quality materials, and a panoramic sunroof added to the overall comfort and appeal.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen. While initially complex, the system was intuitive once familiarized, offering features like off-road pages and connectivity options such as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Wrangler's tech was practical, with a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories, but lacked advanced features like a digital key.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the system's complexity could be distracting. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition for driver settings and standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls for these systems in higher trims.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's safety features were limited, with only a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control as standard. Advanced features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were only available on higher trims or as part of an option package. The Wrangler received mixed safety ratings, with some trims scoring poorly in headlight performance.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 excelled in safety, with the i-Activsense suite of advanced driver assistance systems standard across all trims. This included features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. While not yet crash-tested, the CX-90 was expected to perform well, given the strong safety record of its predecessor, the CX-9.