Light drinker! 2023 Mazda CX-90 claims impressive fuel efficiency to top the large SUV segment

Mazda must be hoping diesel isn't a dirty word when it comes to the new CX-90, and it's got a fuel efficiency claim that puts the large SUV at the top of the class.

The brand says the 2023 Mazda CX-90 large SUV is the most fuel efficient in its segment, with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100km, besting the former large SUV leader, the Mazda CX-8 Skyactiv-D AWD.

The catch is that it's only the diesel-powered CX-90 D50e that holds that claim, with the turbocharged 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder engine forming part of its new 'Large Platform' powertrain line-up.

Read More About Mazda CX-90

Mazda CX-90 Australian powertrains confirmed! Thumping petrol and diesel engines in, plug-in hybrid out, as brand takes aim at the premium players Are you ready for a $110k Mazda? Why the 2023 Mazda CX-90, and the coming CX-70 and CX-80, will push Australia's second-favourite car brand to new premium heights Prices creep up across Mazda range, including Mazda 2023 CX-5, CX-3, CX-8 and CX-9, but the brand is also bucking the wait-list trend

The CX-90 D50e is, in fact, almost as efficient, in Mazda's own claims, as its Mazda2 small hatchback, which has a fuel-use figure of 5.3L/100km from its 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

There are large plug-in hybrid SUVs, as well as smaller SUVs, that are more efficient such as the Volvo XC90 and its claimed 1.8L/100km, but Mazda is comparing non-hybrids with non-hybrids here.

Rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe and related Kia Sorrento both come in above 6.0L/100km.

Mazda says of the diesel CX-90 that "surplus air in the engine is used to improve combustion" which allows more efficient power generation, in turn needing less fuel.

In what Mazda calls the "pinnacle of Mazda Premium and the brand's most luxurious model ever", the CX-90 is also available with a petrol version of the 3.3-litre engine that has a claimed 8.2L/100km efficiency claim, though also holds the title of the most powerful production Mazda ever with 254kW and 500Nm.

That version can cover the 0-100km/h dash in just 6.9 seconds - 1.7s faster than the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol unit from the CX-9 - while the new diesel CX-90 covers the same distance in 8.4s.

The diesel being the new "efficiency champion in the large SUV segment" means it's likely that fuel option will hang around for some time in Australia, despite rivals moving away from it.

The CX-90 will go on sale this year with pricing to be announced with full specifications during quarter one.