The 2024 Mazda CX-90 debuted almost three months ago putting the Japanese automaker in (near) premium waters where the competition is fierce. Our first impressions of the SUV were very positive and today, we can see how it compares against two of its direct rivals. In a new drag race, the CX-90 meets the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

The video attached at the top of this page comes courtesy of Throttle House and introduces us to the CX-90’s range-topping trim, the Turbo S Premium Plus with a price of $61,920 in the United States. Against it, the X5 is in 40i guise with a cost of $75,885 and the GLE is from the 450 version, starting at $73,000. As you can see, the Mazda undercuts its German rivals in terms of price, but can it beat them on the track?

Gallery: 2024 Mazda CX-90

Let’s see the numbers first. The CX-90 is featured here with its 3.3-litre inline-six turbocharged engine, good for 340 bhp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The X5, in turn, has a 3.0-litre inline-six with 335 bhp and 330 lb-ft of torque, making it the least powerful model from the trio. The GLE comes with the same displacement petrol engine, offering 362 bhp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

But as we all know, in drag races, power is not everything. Weight is also an important factor and the BMW here has a slight advantage tipping the scales at 2,210 kilograms. The Mercedes is the heaviest at 2,274 kg and the Mazda sits in between with its weight of 2,224 kg.

So, which SUV will win this drag race? We are not going to spoil the results for you but we will just reiterate that power doesn’t always decide standing-start races. And this battle is yet another proof of that.