2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus test drive review

Understandably, not everyone is ready to take the full electric plunge when it comes to buying a car. But if you want to get a small taste for what that might be like, a plug-in hybrid could just do the trick. Maybe that’s why Mazda decided to release both a turbo-6 and a plug-in hybrid model of the CX-90, its newer three-row, midsize SUV that replaced the CX-9. Before you commit to the electrified version, there are a few things you should know. 

Shop Mazda CX-90 PHEV models

Price and value

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid comes in three different trims, with an MSRP range of $49,945 for the base Preferred model to $57,450 for the top-level Premium Plus trim. Each model comes with the same plug-in hybrid powertrain and automatic transmission. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below.

• PHEV Preferred: $49,945 See listings

Power-sliding glass moonroof

Eight-passenger seating capacity

Rear power liftgate

• PHEV Premium: $54,400 See listings

Second-row captain’s chairs

Wireless phone charger

12-speaker Bose audio system

• PHEV Premium Plus: $57,450 See listings

Heated second-row seats

Ventilated front seats

12.3-inch center display

For a full list of features, click here. 

Our Premium Plus tester came with the special Rhodium White Premium paint color, which added $595 to the cost. Including destination fees, that brought the total to $58,920. While many plug-in hybrid powertrain options tack on a premium to the price tag, it’s refreshing that this one doesn’t. 

Even our top-tier Premium Plus falls $1K short of the Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus. As for which one offers a better value and a more satisfying driving experience, that will likely come down to personal preference — and your diligence in keeping the plug-in hybrid fully charged. 

Shop Mazda CX-90 PHEV models

Performance

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV has four driving modes — Sport, Normal, EV and Off-Road. We only tested the first three, so we can’t speak to its off-road performance chops. Keeping it in Normal mode most of the time suited our driving needs just fine. When we punched it in EV mode, we were mostly underwhelmed.

Engine and drivetrain

Each Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid gets the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine paired to a hybrid system and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The system puts out 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Though those are pretty good numbers for power output, the car didn’t feel particularly powerful on the road.

Fuel economy 

Being a plug-in hybrid, this CX-90 has pretty decent gas mileage. With a fully charged battery, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that you’ll get a 56 mpg-equivalent. On gas alone, it’s rated at 25 mpg for combined city and highway driving. That’s a little lower than other hybrid SUVs.

Acceleration and handling 

We’re big fans of Mazda steering wheels because of their ergonomic shape and decently tight handling, and this CX-90 met those expectations. It’s not the smoothest, most luxurious ride in town, but it has an athletic feel to it that some drivers will enjoy. In Car and Driver’s testing, they found that the plug-in hybrid CX-90 went from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, which was slightly faster than its turbo counterpart.

Braking

The plug-in hybrid powertrain comes with regenerative braking, which sometimes feels a little heavy driving around town. Overall, brakes were responsive and effective.

Interior comfort and convenience

Mazda does a pretty good job overall with interior comfort and convenience, though there’s definitely room for improvement in some areas. Overall, it looks good; the materials are high-quality, it’s comfortable and it offers a quiet ride.

Seats

Three rows of seats will no doubt be a selling point for families looking for a little extra passenger capacity at a lower price, but one of our big complaints about the Mazda CX-90 is the third row. It lacks enough space to keep adult-size passengers comfortable — and even kids may feel a little cramped.

That said, the front two rows are pretty comfortable with the Nappa leather-trimmed surfaces, ample head and leg room and heated/ventilated function up front.

Climate control 

Three-zone automatic climate control, heated/ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats and a heated steering wheel kept everyone comfortable. Even though the third row is less spacious, it does have its own air conditioning vents, which smaller passengers will probably appreciate.

Cargo space and cabin storage

With the third row up, you get 14.9 cubic feet of cargo room in the back. Fold the third row down and that increases to 40 cubic feet. With both the second and third rows folded down, that brings the total cargo capacity to 74.2 cubic feet. This may be adequate for the average person, but it’s not the most spacious three-row midsize SUV on the market.

When it comes to cabin storage, the Premium Plus trim benefits from having both a front- and second-row center console with storage and USB-C chargers. Beyond that, you get the standard front and rear door bottle holders.

Infotainment system

If you’re a fan of touch screens, you may not love this infotainment system. The menu of the 12.3-inch center screen is only navigable via a center console dial, which can make finding the right selection a challenge initially. You do get used to it over time, however. Shop Mazda CX-90 PHEV models

Exterior appearance and functionality

From the outside, the CX-90 advertises an upscale, luxe experience with its smart design. However, the slightly sloped back may divide some opinions.

Wheels

The 21-inch aluminum alloy machine-cut finish wheels on the Premium Plus look great and do a nice job muffling road noise. We never tested the CX-90 plug-in hybrid in inclement weather, but the all-wheel drive system will likely provide peace of mind for anxious drivers.

Lights and turn signals

Each trim comes with LED headlights, tail lights and daytime running lights, as well as high beam control. They did a good job of illuminating the road in the dark. Function aside, there’s no question that the headlights on the CX-90 plug-in hybrid combine beautifully with the grille to give it a smart, sophisticated look from the front. The taillights tell a slightly different story from the rear view. Looking at the CX-90 from the back, it’s almost minivan-like.

Front and rear windshield

Good visibility and rain-sensing wipers are always welcome features, and the Premium Plus trim comes with the additional benefit of a windshield wiper de-icer.

Cameras and side mirrors

The resolution on the 360-degree camera view system was impressive and definitely helped in tight parking situations. The Premium Plus trim also has an auto-dimming driver’s side mirror. As with many newer cars, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV side mirrors are equipped with blind spot monitoring, which is also a helpful feature on the road. Shop Mazda CX-90 PHEV models

Safety 

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid comes loaded with safety features that drivers and passengers will appreciate. These include:

• Blind spot monitoring

• Lane departure warning

• Traffic sign recognition

• Automatic emergency braking

• Rear cross-traffic alert

• Lane-keep assist

• Radar cruise control

• Front and rear parking sensors

It’s worth mentioning that Mazda’s safety systems in the CX-90 can be a tad sensitive. Our tester warned us multiple times of an oncoming vehicle in the lane next to us on the freeway, and the lane-keeping feature was a bit touchy.

Awards and ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2024 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid a Top Safety Pick+ for its high scores in crashworthiness and crash avoidance. Everything received the highest rating of Good except for headlights, which received the second-highest rating of Acceptable.

Final impression 

The big question people will be asking themselves is whether or not it’s worth buying the plug-in hybrid version of the CX-90 or if the regular turbocharged version is better. In Car and Driver’s testing, the plug-in hybrid outpaced the turbo 6, but not by much. The plug-in hybrid gets about the same fuel economy as the turbo 6 when it’s not fully charged. Pricewise, the base turbo 6 is about $10K cheaper than the base plug-in hybrid, but the higher trims fall around the same range.

Overall, if you like the idea of driving on battery power only, the plug-in hybrid may fit your needs if you keep it charged. But since the performance is only minimally better, we’d suggest testing both options out to see which one feels best.

Shop Mazda CX-90 PHEV models on KSL.com. 

FAQs

How many miles of pure electric range does the Mazda CX-90 PHEV get? 

The plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-90 gets an EPA-estimated 26 miles of pure electric range when fully charged.

What’s the Mazda CX-90 PHEV’s total range?

With combined electric and gasoline driving, the EPA estimates that the plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-90 gets 490 miles of total range. 

How long does it take to charge the Mazda CX-90 PHEV?

With a Level 1 charger, it will take approximately six hours and 40 minutes for this plug-in hybrid to go from 20% to 80%. If you use a Level 2 charger, the charging time reduces to one hour and 30 minutes. But if you want to fully charge the battery, you can expect it to take about 11 hours on a standard charger and about two hours and 20 minutes with a Level 2.

What fuel does the Mazda CX-90 PHEV take?

All trim levels require premium unleaded fuel. 

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.