For most people, a plug-in hybrid vehicle is the perfect transition as we head into an all-electric future. Typically with a medium-sized battery plus a gas tank, PHEVs can run in all-electric mode for a usable number of miles before the combustion engine kicks in if necessary. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers almost 500 miles of combined range with 26 miles of electric-only driving, and it might be a good vehicle to consider if you want to avoid trips to the gas station and need space for seven or eight.
We spent a week driving the new CX-90 PHEV, and it’s one of a handful of three-row SUVs that offer this kind of powertrain. We wish its electric range were 40 or 50 miles, but its combined range is decent and will keep you away from visiting gas stations often.
Is The EV Range Enough?
The 2024 Mazda CX-90’s electric mode’s range is enough for daily errands and many peoples’ commutes, provided they can plug and charge the CX-90 at night and/or at work. During the week that we drove it, we ran local errands and went to the office without having to plug in, and although we enjoyed driving in full EV mode, we ultimately ended up having to use public charging stations to take advantage. Reminder about all PHEVs: If you don’t plug them in, you’re just carrying around a whole bunch of extra, efficiency-sapping weight. If you need more EV range, the Kia Sorento PHEV delivers a bit more, at 32 miles, although its third row is tighter than the Mazda’s.
The upside of the Mazda’s small, 17.8-kWh battery pack, though, is you won’t spend a lot of time charging it. It took about two and a half hours for the CX-90 to charge from zero to 100 percent using a Level 2 charger with speeds you usually find in a home charger, which is average for the segment. Also on par are the Mazda’s 53/61/56 mpg-e mileage ratings.
It’s The Whole Package
The 2.5-liter engine delivers 189 hp and the electric motor 173 hp; combined, the Mazda offers 323 hp and an eye-popping 369 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to launch it from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds during our instrumented tests, a pretty good number considering its size. In the quarter-mile sprint, the CX-90 crossed the finish line in 14.6 seconds at 95.8 mph. This is Mazda’s second most powerful production powertrain ever, just behind the CX-90 Turbo S engine.
On the streets, the Mazda proved to be quiet, but we noticed some issues with its powertrain. At parking lot speeds, the eight-speed transmission felt jerky when coming to a full stop, and although it wasn’t frequent, it’s something that needs to be addressed in future updates. The CX-90 PHEV defaults to EV mode, so it will feel like an EV right from the start. However, as the battery gets lower or when you press deep into the accelerator, the four-cylinder engine will fire up, creating some lumpy, unrefined behaviour. This transition from EV to gas needs improvement.
Like all Mazdas, the CX-90 is tuned to deliver a sporty experience overall, and the PHEV version is no exception. The ride is settled but athletic, and on twisty roads the family SUV feels closer to a car than any other three-row crossover. The steering is also nicely weighted and balanced, and it delivers a good amount of feedback.
Where The CX-90 Needs To Improve
The CX-90 is the official replacement for the CX-9, and whereas the latter was also sporty and fun to drive, it had some cons that kept it from being among our favourite three-row SUVs, particularly with its tight third row. Getting into and out of the CX-9 was a hassle, and unfortunately Mazda didn’t fully mitigate this issue in the CX-90. The CX-90 is longer than the CX-9, but its third row is also cramped, and ingress and egress are complicated. The CX-90’s swoony roofline reduces headroom in the third row, and a low hip point puts adults’ knees up by their chins.
It’s a shame Mazda didn’t try to make the CX-90 more family friendly; instead, the automaker focused on delivering the best driving experience. We love that as drivers, but this vehicle lacks the flexibility, practicality, and space to satisfy the entire family.
It Certainly Has A Nice Interior
Over the past few years, Mazda has strived to move upmarket, and the CX-90 is its latest attempt at doing so. If you step out of a Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot and into the 2024 Mazda CX-90, you’ll appreciate its richer cabin. The stitching and trim are a step above what you find in other mainstream SUVs. A clean design, quality materials, and an upscale feel are part of the deal, but it does fall shy of true luxury brands like Mercedes or BMW.
The infotainment system can be operated via the touchscreen or a rotary knob, and it was intuitive and did its job. Apple CarPlay connected wirelessly without any issues, and the screen and system as a whole were quick to respond to inputs.
 
Is The CX-90 PHEV The Best Three-Row SUV?
The CX-90 looks classy and has nice amenities, but Mazda needs to refine the powertrain to be smoother at low speeds. On the other hand, its combined range and driving dynamics stand out. Ultimately, this three-row crossover is dynamically brilliant but not a stellar package, so taken as a whole it falls short of its competition, which explains its lacklustre placement in our recent Big Test of three-row SUVs.
| 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus Specifications | |
| BASE PRICE | $58,325 |
| PRICE AS TESTED | $58,920 |
| VEHICLE LAYOUT | Front-engine, AWD, 7-pass, 4-door SUV |
| ENGINE | 2.5L direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4, plus permanent-magnet electric motor |
| POWER (SAE NET) | 189 hp @ 6,000 rpm (gas), 173 hp (elec); 323 hp (comb) |
| TORQUE (SAE NET) | 192 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm (gas), 199 lb-ft (elec); 369 lb-ft (comb) |
| TRANSMISSION | 8-speed automatic |
| CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) | 5,240 lb (49/51%) |
| WHEELBASE | 122.8 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT | 200.8 x 78.5 x 68.2 in |
| 0-60 MPH | 6.2 sec |
| QUARTER MILE | 14.6 sec @ 95.8 mph |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH | 114 ft |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION | 0.79 g (avg) |
| MT FIGURE EIGHT | 27.5 sec @ 0.64 g (avg) |
| EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON | 24/27/25 mpg; 53/61/56 mpg-e* |
| EPA RANGE, COMB | 26 miles (elec), 490 miles (blended)* |
| ON SALE | Now |
| *EPA blended-PHEV (charge-depleting) mode testing, with vehicles set to their default drive and brake-regeneration modes. | |