- Mazda’s 3-row SUV pushes into the luxury segment with its plug-in hybrid variant.
- The CX-90 PHEV comes loaded with luxury touches, from leather-trimmed seats to power everything.
- The CX-90 PHEV has a potent yet efficient powertrain.
Why buy a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) SUV? In the case of the CX-90 PHEV 3-row SUV, Mazda might say it’s more powerful, more efficient, and more luxurious than its gas-only counterpart. Additionally, the electric motor and battery provide enough range to handle most daily errands without using the gas engine, and, once the right equipment is installed at home, it’s as easy as plugging in a smartphone to charge overnight. It can also run efficiently without battery power, so taking a long road trip can be handled by the gas engine, eliminating the need to map out electric chargers along the way or stop at inconvenient public chargers.
But the mechanical complexity of having two propulsion systems costs extra. Starting at $52,025 with the destination fee, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV costs about $7,500 more than a similarly equipped CX-90 with just a turbocharged gas engine. It only comes with the 7-seat configuration, and it’s offered in only three trims. Both of those could be positives, however, as the CX-90 has six trims, two engine options, and a confusing presentation of the differences.
Here’s a quick look at our favorite features and tech in the 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV.
Potent PHEV Powertrain
Following a shaky launch in 2024, the CX-90 PHEV was refined in 2025 to strike a better balance between electric motor and gasoline engine power. It drives appropriately refined now, so much so that unsuspecting passengers wouldn’t know what’s going on under the hood and floor. Like every CX-90, the PHEV comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). A robust electric motor, fed by a 17.8-kWh battery, pairs with a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine to generate 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Compare that to the 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of the non-PHEV CX-90. There is also a 340-hp Turbo S gas-only model, but it starts at about $54,000. The PHEV is quicker than that model, with a zero-to-60-mph time of less than six seconds.
Efficient EV Powertrain
The CX-90 PHEV is not only quicker, but it’s more efficient. In EV mode, it travels up to 27 miles on battery power alone. That enables most daily runs without using gas. Plug it in at night via a standard outlet, and it’ll charge in less than seven hours. Install a Level 2 (240-volt) charger, and it’ll charge to full in 90 minutes, according to Mazda. When the juice runs out, it still operates efficiently, with an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined, but the combustion engine does require premium gas. There are other 3-row SUV hybrids without a plug that fare better — Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Sorento, to name a few — but they can’t travel around town without using gas. So, the more local miles you drive on battery power, the greater the fuel savings with the CX-90 PHEV.
Top Safety Ratings and Features
Mazda equips the CX-90 PHEV with driver assist systems that can cost extra on some luxury models, including an adaptive cruise control system that restarts from a stop so you can relax your feet in rush-hour traffic. In addition to that and blind spot monitors, the CX-90 PHEV excelled at industry crash-test ratings. It earns a Top Safety Pick+ award, which is the highest honor given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also earns the top 5-Star overall safety score by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Wealth of Standard Features
The CX-90 PHEV comes with everything expected from a premium, if not luxury, SUV. It lacks the refined dash designs of German makes, but its spartan design evokes Volvo’s tasteful simplicity. It’s fitted with wireless device charging, power front seats that are heated and cooled, leather-trimmed upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a crisp 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and at least six USB-C ports.
It’s worth noting an oddity with the CX-90 PHEV. It has wireless smartphone pairing that turns the 12.3-inch center display into a touchscreen. But because the screen is recessed in the dash to be in line with the cluster and maintain a safe viewing position between the road and the driver, it can be a reach for hands. When Apple CarPlay or Android Auto isn’t connected, the infotainment system relies on a console dial for inputs. It works well to zoom in or out on navigation, but it can be cumbersome to click at least three buttons to scan radio or XM stations. Most owners will have their radio presets and leave it alone. Mazda insists that its aversion to touchscreens is a safety measure.
