SUVs are everywhere these days, and it’s easy to see why. Families love the space, comfort, and versatility, and now automakers are sneaking in hybrid powertrains to make these roomy rides a bit kinder on gas.
One mid-size Japanese SUV is standing out from the crowd, though. It mixes sleek, luxury-inspired design with premium materials and surprising fuel efficiency—all without carrying a Lexus badge.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV rolled out in September 2025 with mostly cosmetic tweaks and some handy new standard features. Even with a slight price bump, it still delivers that luxury feel without the luxury price, making it a compelling choice in the hybrid SUV segment.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Mazda and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, RepairPal, and TopSpeed.
Related
This Three-Row Plug-In Hybrid SUV Delivers Luxury-Level Features
This three-row plug-in hybrid SUV combines strong efficiency with upscale comfort, blending family practicality with luxury-level features.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV feels like a Lexus—without the luxury price
Roomy, efficient, and loaded with premium touches, this hybrid SUV punches above its weight
Credit: Mazda
Mazda has always been about fun-to-drive cars. Classics like the Miata, RX-7, and Mazda3 made the brand synonymous with sporty, affordable coupes and sedans. These days, though, Mazda has grown into a family-friendly automaker, filling showrooms with SUVs that still carry hints of that coupe-like, driver-focused DNA.
The CX-90 PHEV is one of the best examples of this mix. It’s a three-row hybrid SUV that delivers surprising luxury for the price, quirky powertrain perks, and comfort for every passenger.
Even as Mazda’s biggest car ever, the CX-90 somehow keeps the youthful style and elegance the brand is known for, while holding its own against luxury giants. And if you like the look but don’t need three rows, the CX-70 offers nearly the same experience, though some two-row trims can actually cost a bit more.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV kicks off at $50,495
Credit: Mazda
The CX-90 punches above its weight in the mid-size hybrid world. Its simple, elegant lines could make you think it costs $20,000 more than it actually does.
The 2026 CX-90 PHEV starts just under $50,500, putting it up against the hybrid Toyota Highlander ($47,770) and the gas-only Honda Pilot ($40,200). Prices are up slightly from the 2024 CX-90 PHEV, which started at $47,445, but Mazda’s strategy is simple: Lexus-level features without the luxury price tag.
All 2026 PHEV models come standard with 21-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, heated seats in the first and second rows, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with driver memory, and a heated steering wheel.
Inside, Mazda’s cabin shows off its luxury side. Three-zone automatic climate control and a pollen filter keep everyone comfortable, while the extra-wide front seats with lumbar support make long trips a breeze.
The Premium Sport trim hits a sweet spot with blackout styling and standard premium audio. It delivers a cabin feel that rivals much more expensive luxury SUVs.
The Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid shares its looks with the gas-only version
Credit: Mazda
The CX-90 hybrid doesn’t give off that tree-hugger vibe you see with a lot of electrified cars. Mazda keeps the plug-in design sleek, elegant, and understated.
It looks almost identical to its gas-only sibling, and unless you’re hunting for the charge port, you’d never guess a 17.8-kWh battery is tucked inside.
2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV specs
Starting MSRP
$50,495
Powertrain
2.5-liter engine and 68 kW electric motor
Power
323 hp
Torque
369 lb-ft
Transmission
Automatic
Driveline
All-wheel drive
EV range
26 miles
Total range
490 miles
Fuel economy (city)
24 mpg
Fuel economy (highway)
27 mpg
Fuel economy (combined)
26 mpg
Fuel economy on full battery (combined)
56 MPGe
That stealthy vibe carries over to driving, too.
Mazda built tiny lags into the battery propulsion to mimic the feel of gear shifts in a gas-only car.
Thanks to this clever trick, the CX-90 PHEV doesn’t feel jerky when switching between electric and gas-powered torque.
Related
This Hybrid SUV Feels Like a Lexus—Without the Luxury Price Tag
This stylish, efficient three-row hybrid delivers luxury vibes, great comfort, and strong value—without the luxury price tag.
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV is a spacious SUV with upscale style
It’s big enough for three rows, but still manages a sleek, premium look
Credit: Mazda
Mazda calls its design language “Kodo,” a Japanese word that roughly means “heartbeat.” The idea is to give the car a sense of energy and motion—even when it’s just sitting still.
The CX-90 uses that focus to look ready for fancier occasions. A thin black line of cladding wraps around the body, giving off a bit of Land Rover vibes, while the swoopy curves nod to the Infiniti QX60.
This sculpting helps the CX-90 stand out in a class that often leans generic and truck-like. Instead of the boxy look of a Chevy Traverse or the wild styling of a Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda made it feel more like a sleek luxury ute than a suburban shuttle.
Chrome touches and clever LED details
Credit: Mazda
Even with its conventional SUV shape, the CX-90 never feels boring or over-the-top. Details like a gloss-black grille, dark-chrome signature wing, and the PHEV badge on Premium Sport models keep it feeling upscale.
Piano-black side mirrors and roof rails add extra flair, and the Premium Sport trims also get a blacked-out Mazda logo plus auto-dimming, power-folding mirrors.
Standard LED headlights and taillights give the car a modern touch. The “heartbeat” turning signals light up in smooth patterns, and all 2026 CX-90 PHEV trims come standard with 21-inch wheels.
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV packs tech that’s both luxurious and easy to use
Intuitive tech and thoughtful touches make the CX-90 feel premium
Credit: Mazda
Mazda’s interiors have quietly stepped into premium territory, and the CX-90 PHEV shows just how far the brand has come. The tech feels thoughtful, the screens are understated, and almost nothing feels cheap or tacked-on—though the second-row cupholder in seven-passenger models is a rare exception.
Unlike other mainstream brands that rely on flashy displays or gimmicks, Mazda sticks to quality and simplicity. Most of the three-row seats are comfortable and supportive for long drives.
For 2026, the Premium Plus trim brings Mazda’s Driver Personalization system to the CX-90 PHEV, a feature that used to be reserved for the top-tier 3.3 Turbo S models. It lets drivers save up to two profiles for steering, seats, and side mirrors, making it easy to hop in and go.
The 12.3-inch infotainment screen is large and simple to use
Credit: Mazda
Drivers get a 12.3-inch infotainment screen as standard, controlled by a click wheel on the center console. You can’t touch it while driving, which might annoy some, but it keeps distractions low and menus clear and logical.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on all 2026 models, and higher trims add built-in navigation. A separate 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard, with top trims getting a heads-up display that shows navigation and speed on the windshield.
Music fans will love the Premium Sport’s 12-speaker Bose stereo, which delivers rich, clear sound for the price. Safety gear is plentiful, too, including frontal collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and safe exit assist.
Quilted leather and real wood give the CX-90 a luxe feel
Credit: Mazda
Choosing the Premium Sport trim or higher unlocks the CX-90’s gorgeous Nappa leather seats. You also get upscale touches like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, soft-touch dashboard, and real wood trim.
Comfort carries through all three rows, with hardly a hard plastic surface in sight. That said, adults will want to stick to the first and second rows.
Legroom measures 41 inches up front and 39 inches in the second row, but it drops to around 30 inches in the back.
2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV interior dimensions
1st row headroom
39.2–39.6 inches
2nd row headroom
38.4–38.6 inches
3rd row headroom
36.9 inches
1st row legroom
41.7 inches
2nd row legroom
39.4 inches
3rd row legroom
30.4 inches
Passenger volume
166.3 cu. ft.
Interior volume
181.2 cu. ft.
Cargo capacity
14.9 cu. ft.
Maximum cargo capacity
74.2 cu. ft.
Speaking of space, the CX-90 offers decent cargo room. Behind the third row, there’s 16 cubic feet to stash your gear.
Fold down both the second and third rows, and you’re looking at a roomy 74 cubic feet—plenty for big trips or hauling bulky stuff.
Related
These Japanese SUVs Boast a Turbo Inline-6 Engine Worthy of Luxury Brands
These two Japanese SUVs pack turbocharged inline-6 engines so smooth and powerful, they rival what you’d expect from top-tier luxury brands.
Hybrid power in the CX-90 PHEV helps cut fuel costs
The plug-in setup balances efficiency and everyday usability without sacrificing performance
Credit: Mazda
The CX-90 PHEV benefits from the obvious: running on hybrid power costs less than sticking to gas.
Plug it in overnight, when electricity is cheapest, and you’ll get the best fuel savings.
2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV range and charging time
Battery
17.8 kWh
Range
26 miles
Level 1 AC 120V charging time (20–80%)
6 hours 40 minutes
Level 2 AC 240V charging time (20–80%)
1 hour 30 minutes
Charging the CX-90 PHEV from empty takes a few hours on a standard 120-volt outlet, or just over an hour with a level-2 charger.
Once fully charged, Mazda estimates the SUV can go up to 26 miles without using any gas.
On average, drivers can expect to spend less than 20 cents per mile in hybrid mode.
The CX-90 keeps yearly maintenance costs surprisingly low
Credit: Mazda
Like most Mazdas, the CX-90’s reliability gets better with every model year. Since hitting U.S. showrooms in 2023, it has earned a four-out-of-five-star rating on RepairPal, which ranks it “above average.”
RepairPal predicts annual maintenance costs of around $462, well below the mid-$600 range for most brands and far under $800+ for luxury competitors.
Add in Mazda’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and the eight-year/100,000-mile coverage on hybrid components, and CX-90 PHEV owners can skip the frequent trips to the shop—and keep more cash in their wallets.
