2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was designed to project a sportier image within the Range Rover lineup. Its tall stance was complemented by a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it a more athletic appearance compared to the traditional Range Rover. The large front air intakes and faux vents on the hood and fenders added to its sporty look, although from certain angles, it appeared a bit too tall and narrow. The SV Edition Two trim, which we tested, featured 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood with an exposed patch, enhancing its performance-oriented aesthetic. Inside, the SV Edition Two boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with illuminated inserts, and a minimalist dashboard interrupted only by a touchscreen and a few controls. Despite its sporty mission, the high console and dash created a somewhat cramped feel in the front seats, though material quality was up to luxury standards.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, on the other hand, exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. Its sculptural sheet metal played with light and shadow, while a short front overhang and long hood contributed to its low, athletic stance. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly rendered with polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, though some materials reflected its price point. Ergonomics were a concern, with a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. Despite these issues, the CX-90's interior felt upscale, and its design was sophisticated compared to most midsize three-row crossovers.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base Dynamic SE model featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid variant based on this engine delivered 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim offered a more powerful plug-in hybrid with 543 hp and 590 lb-ft. Additionally, a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 was available, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, with mild-hybrid assistance for improved fuel economy. The SV Edition Two, the most powerful model, used the same V8 but with 626 hp, achieving 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 290 km/h. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both on-road performance and off-road capability, with features like Terrain Response, hill descent control, and impressive ground clearance.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 offered three powertrain variants: the standard-output 3.3 Turbo, the high-output 3.3 Turbo, and a plug-in hybrid. The standard-output engine produced 280 hp and 332 lb-ft, while the high-output version delivered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft (340 hp with premium gas). All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with a rear-wheel bias for better dynamics. The CX-90's towing capacity was 2,268 kg, and it offered 20.4 to 20.6 cm of ground clearance. Despite its impressive ride and handling, the CX-90's drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behaviour. Noise and impact harshness were also concerns, detracting from the upscale impression created by its design.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a midsize two-row, five-seater configuration. Front-seat occupants enjoyed similar headroom to other midsize luxury SUVs, though legroom was slightly less than competitors like the Acura MDX and Audi Q7. The sloping roof didn't significantly impact rear-seat headroom, and reclining rear seats were standard. Cargo space was substantial, with 835 litres behind the second row and 1,860 litres with the rear seats folded. The Sport's towing capacity was competitive, with turbo-six and V8 models rated at 3,500 kg.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the cabin efficiently. The second-row captain's chairs offered comfort but limited seat-track travel, making rear-facing child seat installation challenging. The third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was practical, with 451 litres behind the third row, 1,155 litres with the third row folded, and 2,129 litres with the second row flattened. Storage options were limited, with an emphasis on style over practicality.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The minimalist design had functional drawbacks, as many controls required touchscreen interaction. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, and the SV Edition Two offered "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring console controls for the native Mazda Connect platform. Mazda's voice recognition system was lacking, but a new Google built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA for the PHEV model. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids were effective, though some features, like speed reduction, were irritating.