The CX-90 PHEV hybrid SUV is Mazda’s first electrified plug-in car in the US

Written By Marco Carvajal

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus

Mazda keeps making beautiful cars with tons of standard features added at no extra price. The end result is that you can buy a very good-looking new automobile with good technology and performance for a lower price than most of its competitors.

The Mazda CX-90 is the first plug-in vehicle in the U.S. I am excited to experience and test drive the new electrified powertrain of this Mazda hybrid plugin SUV, the new flagship SUV of the brand.

As I drive and discover more about the very new 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus, I am impressed with how much value and added standard features, Mazda is giving to car buyers who would purchase a premium midsize SUV like the CX-90.

The CX-90 is a three-row elegant Plug-in hybrid, midsize utility premium Crossover SUV with a clean and stylish design, with a reasonable engine power of 323 horsepower and good cargo space. Pricing starts at $47K for the base trim model Mazda CX-90 PHEV, and there is seating for a maximum of eight passengers.

This new Mazda SUV is very spacious, the seats are large with lots of space around, and very comfortable, I love having so much space, it reminds me of the space in a minivan but with the luxury style of this premium SUV. The second and third rows have plenty of legroom and space, more than usual, and the cargo area is big compared to other three-row SUV cars. I had to fold the third row at some point when doing shopping and the cargo space becomes very large when you only use two rows.

This is definitely a great family car for the city or also a very good car for those that need a lot of space but don’t want to drive a minivan.

The CX-90 Premium Plus trim model that I am test-driving is the highest trim level of the three trim models available. I like that this premium SUV can have space for eight passengers, great transportation for a rock band, sports team, friends, or just to be your family car.

After driving the CX-90 for one week, it is becoming one of my favorite mid-size premium 3-row SUVs on the market, but competition is very challenging in this segment, there are too many different amazing SUVs and this won’t an easy journey for the automaker.

490 Miles Range

This is a very comfortable car to drive and to bring friends and family onboard with its 3-rows. One of the most impressive features of the e-SKYACTIV-PHEV 2.5 L engine, working together with the 68 kW electric motor, is the total range of 490 miles with a gas tank, that is like a dream for me, we are getting closer to the future, I can see that just in a few more years we will have cars like this with a range of 1,000 miles, the future is getting closer.

323 Horsepower and Good Performance

Driving the new CX-90 PHEV, you can feel how it works well with responsiveness, performance, and driving dynamics.

The CX-90’s engine produces good horsepower and torque, with 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using the recommended premium fuel.

The CX-90 all-new four-cylinder hybrid gasoline engine is paired with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission, specifically designed for electrified longitudinal powertrains and large platform vehicles. The agile multi-speed automatic gearbox achieves smooth and direct acceleration while improving drivetrain efficiency.

As a plugin electric and gas hybrid the engine of the CX-90 is very advanced and complex and also very efficient. It is very quiet and has good enough power and speed for highways, and off-roads. 323 horsepower is nice, but I would like to have a little more power for the size of this SUV.

Acceleration is good but the response could be faster for my personal taste. I think that there is room for Mazda to improve on acceleration and horsepower for new versions of the CX-90 PHEV.

The suspension of the new Mazda CX-90 feels good but it could be a bit more solid and balanced on uneven roads, as it bounces a little bit from side to side, I have felt the same when driving other premium large SUVs in the past.

I would be happy to drive the CX-90 anywhere and for a long time, it is a very good car if you need a lot of space and premium style with good value pricing.

The all-new e-Skyactiv G powertrain has been tuned specifically for the North American market and provides the best of both worlds in terms of performance and efficiency.

The new engine provides CX-90 an engaging driving experience with a rewarding exhaust note, while also featuring a mild-hybrid system for efficiency without compromising on performance.

The engine of the CX-90 is also equipped with M-Hybrid Boost (a mild-hybrid system) to provide efficiency without compromising on its remarkable performance. The electric motor is placed between the engine and transmission, creating a smooth acceleration from a standstill, and allowing the motor to directly power CX-90 at low speed. This engaging powertrain provides the CX-90 with an upscale feeling, a smooth-driving experience, engaging sound, and efficiency.

Mazda’s all-new rear-biased all-wheel drive layout supports a performance-focused experience.

Kinematic Posture Control (KPC), first introduced on the MX-5 Miata, is standard on all CX-90 models and will help maintain Mazda’s signature driving dynamics with the three-row crossover SUV.

Design

Several new SUV cars offer 3 rows and 7 seven seats or more, although one thing that makes the CX-90 different is that it is not a typical large SUV, it is big, but its segment is the midsize SUV. The size allows you to bring the whole family on a trip instead of having the pain of taking two cars, saving gas, and keeping the group together. It feels bigger than most midsize cars that I drove, perhaps it should be placed in an intermediate segment between midsize and large SUVs.

The new CX-90 has been designed with a bold and dynamic design. It includes all-premium craftsmanship. The new CX-90 is a blend of performance appearance and world-class refinement. The Mazda CX-90 PHEV comes in multiple different options of color.

The new Mazda CX-90 continues Mazda’s Kodo Design philosophy of infusing life into the body of the vehicle through passion, perfection, and precision, and when you see this car inside and outside you understand that the Kodo design is present everywhere.

The large platform of the Mazda Cx-90 allows for a wider body and fenders and a longer wheelbase, accentuating CX-90’s strong stance and further highlighting its sense of performance. The body is designed to be sleek with crafted curves that give the CX-90 ever-changing expressions created by the reflections of lights and shadows.

Details like the optional chrome garnishes on the lower bumpers emphasize its width and timeless styling, while new, available 21-inch diamond-cut wheels featuring a black metallic finish enhance the CX-90’s powerful presence.

The CX-90’s elegant design continues into the car seats and general inside with an interior that gives an expansive impression from the dashboard through the positioning of the vents and chrome trim extending to the doors for a modern, linear appearance. Inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics, a luxurious and comfortable feel is experienced in all three rows. From the front seats to the available captain’s chairs, and into the third row, there are multiple materials, such as Nappa leather, wood, and tone-on-tone fabrics that all come together harmoniously producing a very elegant style.

Trims and Pricing

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus that I’m driving isn’t the only trim of this model. This SUV is available in three different trims to help you find out what model is right for you! The price range for the CX-90 SUV ranges anywhere from $47K to $57K plus the cost of additional features.

All Mazda CX-90 PHEV trim models include the powerful and efficient e-SKYACTIV®-PHEV: 2.5L engine and 68 kW electric motor with a total of 323 horsepower. Also, all CX-90 PHEV models are all-wheel drive standard.

PHEV Preferred Starting at $47,445

2.5L engine and 68 kW electric motor, total system: 323 hp
Power sliding-glass moonroof with tilt feature
Leather-trimmed heated front seats

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium starting at $52,900

21-inch alloy wheels, machine-cut finish
2nd-row Captain’s chairs with armrests and center walk-through
Power sliding-glass panoramic moonroof with tilt feature

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus Starting at $56,950

A larger 12.3-inch center display
Ventilated front seats

My favorite trim model is the Premium Plus that I am test driving, this is the top of the line and it is fully loaded with tons of features and convenient details. However, if you want to spend less than $57K then the base model PHE is a great value and costs around less than $9K than the top of the line.

2024 Mazda Cx-90 Phev Premium Plus Highlights

2.5L e-SKYACTIV engine and 68 kW electric motor
Hybrid
369 lb-ft torque
323 hp
PHEV e-SKYACTIV Drive 8-speed automatic transmission with Manual-shift mode
Rear-biased i-ACTIV AWD all-wheel-drive system
EPA-estimated mileage, combined 56 MPGe and 25 MPG
Kinematic Posture Control
Hill Descent Control
Mazda Intelligent Drive Select: Sport/Off-road/Towing/EV modes
Charge Mode
3,500-pound towing capacity
3 rows
7 seating capacity
3 trim selections
Power sliding-glass panoramic moonroof with tilt feature
Hands-free Rear Power Liftgate
2nd-row Captain’s chairs with center walk-through
Wireless Apple CarPlay integration
Wireless Android Auto integration
Active Driving Display
Front and rear parking sensors
Wireless phone charger

Most of my feedback for the new 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus trim level I am driving is very positive. This plug-in electrified hybrid car has many features that will help you in your everyday driving.

For drivers like me who have a big family, we can enjoy a lot of the CX-90. This vehicle helps me and my loved ones have more space and enjoy its premium elegant style.

Small details like a wireless charger, 369 lb-ft torque, and a Hands-free Rear Power Liftgate make the CX-90 one of the most generous premium SUVs in the market, giving you more for your money.