LOOKS

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV features large, attractive 21-inch alloy wheels (base trim level comes with 19-inchers), all-season tires, a bold but classy front grille, plus unique lighting designs.

It maintains a sleek and attractive look, despite being Mazda’s largest SUV, and offers the signature Mazda design up front.

My test vehicle featured a Rodium White exterior paint color, hands-free power rear liftgate, body-colored rear roof spoiler, rain-sensing windshield wipers, panoramic moonroof, automatic LED headlights with high beam control, aluminum roof rails, and heated power mirrors with turn lamps.

Moving inside, and you’ll see where the CX-90 shines, as it gives off a true luxury vibe despite Mazda not being known as a luxury brand (perhaps that label needs to be reassessed, as new Mazdas are showcasing a level of luxury you would see in a Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Genesis).

Premium is the word you can apply to all the materials inside the CX-90 PHEV. Seating is plush, high-quality and truly comfortable (Third row is a bit tight, so save for the kids).

Overall it delivers a clean, modern look, with versatile design allowing easy access to all rows.
All materials used on the interior look and feel high-end, with nothing giving off a cheap vibe. Mazda has nailed the design of the CX-90 interior and punches above its weight class.

Seating capacity is either 7 or 8, depending if you get a bench or Captain’s Chairs in the middle row.

Highlights of the interior design include: Nappa leather seating, leather steering wheel, 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar, driver seat memory, heated front seats, 3-zone automatic climate control and third-row AC vents, middle-row window sunshades, frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink, and 8-way power front passenger seat.

The Premium Plus package on my test vehicle also featured: Heated second-row Captain’s Chairs, heated steering wheel, windshield wiper de-icer, and a 360-view monitor.

Cargo space in the CX-90 is less than you’ll find in some other three-row SUVs, but not dramatically lower numbers.

Official tallies are 15 cubic feet with all seats up, 40 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 74 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV features the combination of a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with a plug-in hybrid system with an electric motor and 17.8-kWh battery pack. These are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive.

Output is an impressive 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, and paddle shifters are included for drivers who want to exert more control over the gears.

The offering of a plug-in hybrid version is rare for larger SUVs like the CX-90, which makes the vehicle fairly unique in today’s auto landscape.

The best part is that the driving experience in the PHEV version is not diminished when compared to the regular CX-90. In line with Mazda’s overall mindset, the CX-90 delivers one of the best performances you’ll find in a three-row SUV, and that’s true on the PHEV as well.

Acceleration is quick, the CX-90 is responsive to driver input, and the overall drive quality is super smooth, including excellent handling on twisty roads that you wouldn’t expect from this size of vehicle.

Getting from 0-to-60 in the CX-90 hybrid will take you roughly 6 seconds, which is excellent for a 5,200-pound vehicle. And road noise is kept out of the vehicle effectively.

The CX-90 PHEV is not a sports car, so don’t expect miracles, but you will often forget you are driving an SUV due to the smooth and responsive nature of the vehicle.

Drive modes include: Sport, Off-Road, Towing and EV modes. Sport mode is the most fun (but least fuel-efficient), and Off-Road comes in handy in tough weather conditions.

Towing capacity on the CX-90 PHEV caps out at 3,500 pounds.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Like the rest of Mazda’s vehicle lineup, operation of the infotainment setup of the CX-90 PHEV is mainly done through a center dial, with the exception of a row of physical controls for climate. The operation of this center dial can be overly complicated, especially while driving.

The center screen (sized at 10.3 or 12.3 inches) is tucked deep in the dash and can not be controlled by touch, unless you are using the wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto function.

The CX-90’s voice controls worked effectively in my testing, but many SUV shoppers will be disappointed to learn of the lack of touchscreen controls. I would recommend that Mazda reconsiders this setup and offers a more user-friendly approach in future vehicles.

The optional 12-speaker Bose sound system offered excellent sound, and other tech features on the CX-90 PHEV include:
— 1500-watt AC power outlet
— Mazda Navigation system
— Three-month trial of satellite radio
— Wireless phone charger
— Bluetooth connectivity
— Six USB inputs
— Mazda Connected Services

In terms of safety features, rearview and surround view cameras are bright and clear, and really help with tight parking situations.

The CX-90 PHEV offers plenty of helpful safety features, and is competitive with rivals in this area.

These features include:
— Frontal collision mitigation (warns of impending collision and applies the brakes)
— Adaptive cruise control (maintains constant distance to the vehicle ahead)
— Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts to vehicles in your blind spot during lane changes or while reversing)
— Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assistance (steers vehicle back into proper lane)
— Tire Pressure Warning
— Driver attention monitor (alerts if it senses the driver is drowsy)
— Safe exit assist (warns of oncoming traffic before you open door)
— Front, knee, curtain and side airbags

It also earned a fIve-star overall government safety rating, so you can feel safe transporting the family in this vehicle.

MPG, RANGE AND CHARGING

The combined gas/electric mileage of the 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV comes in at 56 MPGe. When running on its gas engine alone, the average comes out to 25 miles per gallon (24 city/27 highway).

These fuel mileage numbers are quite impressive vs. rivals, despite the larger size of the CX-90.

The PHEV features a 17.8-kWh battery pack and can run for approximately 26 miles on electricity alone. To charge the battery at home with a Level 2 charger, it will take just over 2 hours, and going from 20 to 80 percent takes roughly 90 minutes.

Regular or nightly home charging of the CX-90 PHEV will mean limited trips to the gas station if you typically drive 25 miles or less on any given day. That is, in a nutshell, the draw of the CX-90 plug-in hybrid. Keep it charged consistently and you’ll rarely have to pump gas.

If you opt for the non-hybrid version of the CX-90, numbers come in at 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with the base 280 horsepower engine. The upgraded 340 horsepower version drops to 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

PRICE

My test vehicle, a 2025 CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus model, was priced at $60,000. The base CX-90 PHEV starts around $51K, and the non-hybrid version of the CX-90 starts around $41K.

Trim levels on the PHEV version include Preferred, Premium Sport, and Premium Plus.

Trim levels on the non-hybrid version include Select, Preferred, Premium Sport, Premium Plus, S Premium and S Premium Plus.

Like many other new vehicles that are EVs or plug-in hybrids, the higher price will be one of the biggest obstacles for potential buyers. Even people who love everything about the CX-90 PHEV may not be able to justify spending more than $50K on the vehicle.

In its defense, the CX-90 PHEV is one of the best larger plug-in hybrid offerings in the SUV landscape, both in terms of performance and its upscale design. So there’s plenty to be said in its favor, and it all comes down to what people are willing to spend.

Most SUVs that offer a PHEV version are not as large or powerful as the CX-90, and the small number that are tend to be even more expensive, so that’s another factor to take into account. Also, buyers should also consider the savings on fuel that the CX-90 PHEV will offer over time, especially if they have short commute times and will charge at home in the evenings.

Mazda’s warranties are decent, but not class-leading. 

The CX-90’s warranties include:
— 3-year/36,000 mile overall warranty
— 8-year/100K mile high voltage battery warranty
— 24-hour roadside assistance for three years/36,000 miles

No complimentary scheduled maintenance is included.

BOTTOM LINE

The plug-in hybrid version of the 2025 Mazda CX-90 is an excellent fit for drivers with shorter commutes who want an electric component to limit gas usage, but want the gas engine as a backup for longer trips.

It’s specifically made for fans of the CX-90’s style and performance who prefer to move in the direction of an EV without a full commitment.

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