Car Owners Hub UK - Built by Drivers, for Drivers

So, upon first inspection, my 2024 PHEV appeared to be in good condition. Challenges arose on my first cross-country journey. There were problems with the gas filler system. The evap system required an opening of a valve in order to receive gasoline, which is difficult to describe. Even the car's lid wouldn't open if it didn't open. Fear gripped me as I sat on empty in the heart of Missouri, my petrol filler lid stubbornly refusing to open. It returned at some point, but it was never the same. It was too complicated, so the dealer installed a new evap valve after I got home. Then it started having gearbox problems, like the ones mentioned before: jerky shifting, a gear crunch while going from first to second gear under high speeds, and a "hoot" when shifting from fifth to sixth gear. Many trips to the dealer, software upgrades, etc. There was no satisfactory outcome. Between first and second, the gear crunch was really insane. The gearbox was determined to be operating normally in every assessment and update. Thus, I began interacting with Mazda's customer service department. Everything was working as "intended," thus there was no resolution, but they were nice nonetheless. In the end, I was able to redeem the coupon for a new one at the factory invoice. Giving up was the only option left to me, so I gambled on a brand new 2026 CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus. Quite pricey; I paid roughly $23,000 for it. That hurts. This one, though, doesn't seem to have any connection at all. The engine now sounds more like a V8 than a whining four-cylinder, the gearbox is a joy, the cabin is noticeably quieter, and the ride is silky smooth. Excellent acceleration and, depending on the driver's style, respectable gas consumption (25–28 mpg). It has remained defect-free after three months and three thousand kilometres. It arrived with no defects. Driven and owned with joy. Suddenly, I feel joy.

For kids older than twelve, is a minivan the only viable option for a three-row car? To be honest, I've never even sat in one.

There was this time I was in the third row of a Chevy Tahoe and we were driving from Oregon to Los Angeles. Since I am 6 feet 2 inches tall, the unpleasantness of that journey has lingered in my mind.

Good "Somewhat".
Putting a stroller in the trunk while using the third row is an exercise in futility due to the lack of storage space. We utilise a roof basket to secure four car seats/boosters.


For our holiday road trip, we rented an Expedition.
In contrast to body-on-frame full-size SUVs, the CX-90 rides and handles more like a sports sedan.

Invest on a Mazda X7-lite.