Fast Facts | 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV
🚙 Vehicle Type: Three-row plug-in hybrid SUV with seating for seven and standard rear-biased AWD
⚡ Power: 319 hp with regular fuel | 323 hp with premium fuel | 369 lb-ft of torque
🔋 Battery and Range: 17.8-kWh battery | 27 miles of current EPA-estimated electric range
⛽ Efficiency: 56 MPGe combined | 26 mpg combined after the usable battery charge is depleted
🔌 Charging: Approximately 11 hours on Level 1 | About 2.5 hours on a 7.2-kW Level 2 connection
📦 Cargo Space: 15.9 cu ft behind the third row | 40.1 cu ft behind the second row | 75.2 cu ft maximum
🖥️ Technology: Dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available head-up display
💰 Pricing: $50,695 Preferred | $55,500 Premium Sport | $58,700 Premium Plus before destination
Beautiful Inside and Out, but What About the Drive?
Mazda sits in an unusual region of the U.S. automotive market. Too upscale to be a mainstream brand yet more attainable than many luxury makes, this Japanese company occupies a gray area between the everyday and the extravagant. This unique positioning provides some big benefits, though there can be downsides, as the 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV proves.
Stunning Design Inside and Out
This three-row, seven-seat SUV is powered by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that significantly improves efficiency, and it comes with plenty of standard amenities. But the most noticeable attribute of this Mazda is the stunning design.
Inside and out, the CX-90 is absolutely gorgeous. There may not be a prettier three-row SUV in the U.S. today. The exterior is so clean and tasteful, it makes practically anything parked next to it look tacky in comparison.
Front and center, this Mazda’s mesh-textured grille is just about perfect, being neither too big nor too small, plus it’s flanked by standard LED headlamps with automatic high beams. Similarly, the vehicle’s flanks are super sleek, free of weird trim or wild swooshes. The 21-inch wheels make this model look planted, and the tight, laser-straight panel gaps give the impression that Mazda really cares about the little details. Finally, this SUV’s rounded rear looks great, too, and this midrange Premium Sport model includes a power-operated hatch for added convenience.
Pop open that rear door, and the CX-90 PHEV provides 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space. That figure jumps to 40.8 with the third row folded, and then a generous 75.2 cubes when you drop the second-row backrests.
The CX-90’s cabin is gorgeous, too. The design is elegant, plus most of the controls are well-placed and easy to use. The materials are also nicer than what you get in some luxury vehicles. This interior wouldn’t look out of place in a Mercedes-Benz or Lexus; it’s that upscale.
Not Just Pretty, It’s Functional, Too
This Mazda’s cabin is also comfortable and well laid out. PHEV models come standard with two 12.3-inch displays: a digital gauge cluster and a central touchscreen. My Premium Sport tester also has a useful head-up display.
Mazda’s infotainment system is unusual, though. The touchscreen doesn't work when using the native system. It's controlled using a knob on the center console. Luckily, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, and they both allow you to use the touchscreen.
This Premium Sport model also comes with heated and ventilated front seats that power adjust in eight ways. The steering wheel is also heated and leather-wrapped, though the finish is super slippery, so make sure to keep a firm grip. The second-row seats in this SUV are comfortable, too, plus they’re heated. As for the third row, it’s a tight squeeze for adults, but kids will be just fine back there.
The Best of Both Worlds
PHEV drivetrains give you the benefits of both electric and gas power. The 17.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack can be charged at home, just like an EV, and provides an EPA-estimated 26 miles of electric-only driving range. That's a good bit less than PHEV versions of the Kia Sorento (31 miles) or the Mitsubishi Outlander (45).
Standard rear-biased AWD is one of the Mazda’s defining mechanical features, and our roundup of the best AWD plug-in hybrids shows how it compares with other all-weather electrified options ➜
Using a Level 1 charger, which plugs into any standard household power outlet, you can charge the CX-90 PHEV from 0 to 100 percent in around 11 hours. A Level 2 charger, which operates at 240 volts, allows you to fully juice up this SUV in just 2 hours and 20 minutes.
The electric drive motor, rated at 173 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, is adequate for normal driving but can feel a little overmatched in an SUV that weighs 5,243 pounds.
This vehicle also features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an eight-speed automatic transmission. When the battery is low or you need extra performance, the engine kicks in. If you forget to plug in, this Mazda operates like a conventional hybrid and runs until the gas tank is empty. But for the best efficiency, you definitely want to plug in.
Overall, the CX-90 PHEV has 319 system horsepower if you put regular-grade gasoline in the tank. If you spring for premium fuel, however, that figure increases to 323. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, and it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
A Dynamic Disappointment
Mazda focuses on vehicle dynamics far more than most other automakers. The company has a development philosophy of jinba ittai, a Japanese term that means the horse and rider are one. Mazda certainly builds some amazing vehicles, like the MX-5 Miata, which is an absolute joy to drive. But unexpectedly, the CX-90 is a bit of a disappointment.
The ride isn't harsh, but it’s very firm, and despite this there’s noticeable body roll in corners. The steering is unnecessarily heavy, and there’s no real feedback from the front tires. Beyond that, the CX-90 needs constant adjustments to stay centered; the vehicle is always wandering in the lane of travel. The transmission is also clunky, especially in Electric mode, and can be incredibly slow to downshift, even with the accelerator pedal flat on the floor.
That said, things improve considerably when the gas engine kicks in. In Normal, Sport, or EV modes, when you accelerate hard, the CX-90 transforms into a beast, and the difference is night and day. The engine is super smooth and sounds great for a four-cylinder.
Every CX-90 PHEV has driver aids like adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
Luxury on a Budget
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV is spacious, comfortable, and beautiful. The interior is also super premium, and unlike some other SUVs, you don’t necessarily pay a luxury price for the privilege.
Shoppers comparing the CX-90 with other family-focused plug-ins can explore more options in our guide to the best plug-in hybrid SUVs ➜
The entry-level Preferred trim has an MSRP of around $52,225 with $1,530 in destination fees. That’s more than plug-in versions of the Sorento or Outlander, but this Mazda definitely looks and feels more special than either. The midrange Premium Sport variant tested here has an estimated MSRP of $57,625 with $595 for Rhodium White paint and the delivery charge. That’s certainly not cheap, but it isn’t exactly luxury-car territory, either.
There are a lot of great reasons to consider a CX-90 PHEV. If Mazda engineers can sort out the bewildering ride and handling, this plug-in hybrid would be easy to recommend because it looks so good and feels so nice.
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2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Road Test
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