SUVsare everywhere these days, dominating showrooms and winning over families with their roomy comfort and practical size. To keep up, automakers are addinghybridpowertrains to these popular rides, making them much more fuel-efficient.
One midsize Japanese SUV is turning heads by combiningluxury touchesand efficiency at a surprising price. It doesn’t wear a Lexus badge, but this plug-in hybrid is quietly rewriting the rules for what a family SUV can be.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources, including Cox Automotive and RepairPal.
How the Mazda CX-90 Delivers Unexpected Luxury for Less
Mazda used to be all about fun, sporty cars—thinkMiata,Mazda3, and RX-7. Those models built its reputation for affordable, driver-focused coupes and sedans, but now Mazda has shifted gears towardfamily-friendly SUVs.
Despite the change, Mazda hasn’t lost its sporty edge; that racer DNA still shines through in its SUV lineup.
Take the CX-90 PHEV, a hybrid SUV that blends luxury and quirky powertrain features with comfort across three rows. It’s Mazda’s biggest vehicle yet but still carries that youthful style while competing with luxury giants.
Affordable Starting Price That Rivals Popular Mid-Tier SUVs
The CX-90 punches above its weight in the mid-size hybrid SUV game. Its sleek, simple design looks like it belongs on a much pricier vehicle.
Starting at just shy of $50,000, it competes directly with theToyota Highlander Hybridand gas-onlyHonda Pilot. Mazda’s strategy is clear: Lexus-level features without the luxury price.
Inside, the CX-90 impresses with upscale touches like three-zone climate control and a pollen filter. The wide front seats offer eight-way power adjustments and lumbar support for extra comfort.
The new Premium Sport trim adds blacked-out styling and premium audio. It delivers luxury vibes that can rival evenAcura’s higher-end cabins.
PHEV Tech That Keeps a Low Profile
The CX-90 skips the typical “eco-warrior” vibe you see in most hybrids. Mazda keeps things sleek and subtle—the plug-in model looks almost identical to its gas-only cousin.
Unless you spot the charging port, you’d never guess there’s a 17.8-kWh battery hiding under the hood. It’s a clean, elegant design that doesn’t shout “hybrid.”
$49,945
2.5-liter engine and 68 kW electic motor
323 hp
369 lb-ft
All-wheel drive
26 miles
490 miles
24 mpg
27 mpg
26 mpg
Fuel Economy on Full Battery (Combined)
56 MPGe
That smooth, low-key vibe carries over to the driving experience as well. Mazda’s clever little trick? They added tiny gear-shift-like lags in the battery system to mimic a gas car’s feel.
Thanks to this smart tweak, the CX-90 plug-in glides between electric and gas power without any jerky shifts. It’s a seamless ride that feels natural and refined.
Big and Beautiful With a Touch of Luxury
Mazda calls its design language “Kodo,” which means “heartbeat” in Japanese. They aim to capture a sense of energy and motion, even when the car is standing still.
The CX-90 wears this philosophy well, dressing up with sleek black cladding that hints at Land Rover style. Its smooth, flowing curves feel inspired by the luxury look of the Infiniti QX60.
This sculpted approach helps the CX-90 stand out in a sea of boxy, truck-like SUVs. Instead of bulky Chevy Traverse vibes or the boldHyundai Santa Fe, Mazda’s design feels more like a refined luxury ute.
Eye-Catching Chrome With Stylish LED Flair
The CX-90 might look like a traditional SUV, but it avoids feeling flashy or boring. Premium Sport models feature a glossy black and chrome grille, with chrome accents around the windows for a refined touch.
Piano black side mirrors and roof rails give it a sleek, upgraded vibe. Standard LED headlights and taillights add style, while Mazda’s signature “heartbeat” turn signals light up in smooth, eye-catching patterns.
On top of that, the Premium Sport trim rolls on 21-inch black metallic wheels, bringing a bold splash of drama to the road.
Smart, Stylish, and User-Friendly Tech
Mazda’s interiors have quietly stepped up to premium levels, and the CX-90 PHEV shows just how far they’ve come. The tech feels thoughtful, the screens blend in naturally, and everything avoids that cheap, plastic vibe—well, except for the second-row cupholder in seven-passenger models.
While other brands chase flashy screens and gimmicks, Mazda keeps it simple and high-quality. Most seats across the three rows are comfortably soft and inviting.
Large, Intuitive Infotainment System
Depending on the trim, you get a 10.3- or 12.3-inch infotainment screen controlled by a click wheel on the center console. It’s not touch-enabled while driving, which helps keep distractions low with a straightforward menu, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on all 2025 models.
A sharp 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard, with built-in navigation available on higher trims. Top models also add a heads-up display that projects navigation and speed right onto the windshield.
Music lovers will enjoy the Premium Sport’s 12-speaker Bose system, delivering rich, clear sound that punches above its price. Safety features come well-equipped as standard, including:
Quilted Leather and Genuine Wood? You Bet
Choosing thePremium Sport trim or highermeans sinking into plush Nappa leather seats. You’ll also get luxe touches like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, soft-touch dashboard, and real wood accents throughout the cabin.
That premium feel extends across all three rows, with hardly a hard plastic surface in sight. Still, adults will want to stick to the first two rows—they offer 41 and 39 inches of legroom, while the third row drops down to 36 inches.
Cargo space is solid, too. There’s 16 cubic feet behind the third row, and folding down both the second and third opens up a roomy 74 cubic feet for hauling larger loads.
Smooth Hybrid Tech With a Touch of Class
Mazda’splug-in hybridmakes one thing clear: fueling up is cheaper when you can run mostly on electricity. Charging overnight, when power rates are low, gives you the best bang for your buck.
Charging from empty takes a few hours on a standard 120-volt outlet, or just over an hour with a faster Level 2 charger. Once fully charged, the CX-90 can go about 26 miles on electric power alone, helping keep fuel costs under 20 cents per mile.
Budget-Friendly Maintenance for the CX-90
The CX-90’s reliability keeps getting better with each model year, just like most Mazdas. Since arriving in U.S. showrooms in 2023, it’s earned a solid four out of five stars fromRepairPal, landing an “above average” rating.
RepairPal estimates annual maintenance costs around $462, which is well below the mid-$600 average for many brands—and much less than luxury rivals that can top $800. Add Mazda’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty plus an eight-year/100,000-mile hybrid component warranty, and CX-90 owners are set to save a bundle on upkeep.
