The 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus AWD: A Beautiful Interior With Long Range

Mazda is no stranger to 3-row vehicle offerings as the CX-9 is the company’s largest SUV with sufficient cargo space. Recently, Mazda introduced the CX-9’s replacement with the CX-90, bringing a redesigned look to the entire vehicle with two powertrain options: a 6-cylinder and a 4-cylinder hybrid engine. Our review vehicle was equipped with the hybrid engine, but if we had the 6-cylinder engine, we would’ve had a better overall experience. So let’s dive into what we loved and what we didn’t love about the CX-90.

The Mazda CX-90 PHEV is easily one of the best SUVs the company has ever produced. However, I wanted to love their newest SUV but a few things left me wanting more. I had some quirks with the performance and choices made for its interior. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with it per se but I believe if I had tested the gasoline-only, inline 6-cylinder Premium Plus model, my overall opinion might have been different.

2.5-liter 4-cylinder and 68 kWh e-SKYACTIV hybrid engine
8-speed automatic transmission
i-Activ all-wheel drive
323-hp + 369 lb-ft of torque
21inch alloy wheels
Heads-up display
12.3inch dual display w/ digital cluster + control center
12-speaker Bose sound system
Nappa leather seats + heated steering wheel
Heated & ventilated 1st row seats/heated 2nd-row seats
Seats 7 but in reality, it’s more like 6-ish
Qi wireless charging pad
A total of 6 fast-charging USB-C ports
A 1500W AC power outlet

*Our review vehicle was the 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus in the Rhodium White Premium color, starting at $57,450.*

The CX-9 can tow up to a respectable 3,500 lbs.

Since the CX-90 is set to replace its 3-row CX-9 SUV, Mazda took the opportunity to update its interior to make it more upscale than its predecessor. Our top-of-the-line Premium Plus model brings a smooth nappa leather-covered dashboard and seats. After previously testing Mazda’s CX-5 and CX-30, the CX-90 maintains the beautiful interior of the models before it but adds a more lavish finish for a more upscale appearance. This is thanks to the quality Nappa leather, stitching, wood panel finishes, and interactive display onboard. The CX-90 is the new record-holder as Mazda’s longest SUV, measuring 200-inches long with a longer wheelbase and cargo room over the CX-9.

Our model offers a 12.3-inch LCD display setup for infotainment information, which includes navigation, satellite/terrestrial radio, and more. While the digital cluster, located behind the steering wheel, showcases your speed limit, gas gauge, tire pressure, and drive modes. Mazda continues to rely on a physical scroll wheel to control everything instead of using a touchscreen, which is still fast and intuitive. The screen also showcases a 360-degree view in parking and while driving. Mazda included its beloved heads-up display which showcases stop signs and speed limits, in addition to navigation directions. Mazda’s new gear shifter has a surprisingly low profile, despite its large size. This unusual design choice may be polarizing.

Mazda added a customizable lighting feature and offers color highlights to add a splash of your own personality to the interior. Also new is a 12-speaker Bose audio sound system which sounds pretty good for podcasts, music or streaming movies on a trip. It also has luxurious Nappa leather seats covering its heated steering wheel as well as both the front and second-row captain chairs for heated and ventilated options. It also has a power outlet in the rear, a wireless charging pad, and a total of 6 USB-C charging ports, which are spread out across the three seating rows.

The CX-90 model we tested seats 7 w/ 2 passengers in the front, 2 in the middle, and 2 in the rear. Mazda equipped this with 2nd-row Captain’s chairs w/ center walk-through and the cupholders feel like they were an afterthought in their design and placement. The setup is a smaller swiveling tray that swings out from the center aisle to be placed and doesn’t feel sturdy. Now, I understand that the captain chair set up in the second row can create design obstacles for a cup holder. I’m not a fan of where they wind up placing it. However, there is an alternative configuration to choose from if you opt for the standard 2nd-row setup, the cup holders are in the center armrest as per usual.

Moving back towards the 3rd-row, things get more cramped than the usual midsize SUV. Mind you the 3rd-row in most SUVs usually gets the short end of the stick, but still manages to feel cramped w/ one less seat. Passengers in the 2nd-row would need to move their seats up to accommodate adult passengers. I would not recommend seating two adults in the 3rd-row as I would suggest children or a shorter adult. While the CX-90 is the best car Mazda currently makes, I still prefer the interior and space inside of the Kia Telluride.

This PHEV version of the CX-90 is the company’s first 4-cylinder hybrid engine. It’s equipped with a 323-hp engine, an electric motor, and a 17.8 kWh battery pack as all CX-90 models come standard with an 8-speed engine and all-wheel drive. The hybrid engine offers 189 hp from its gasoline engine and an additional 173 hp from the electric motor for the combined power of 323 hp. But this is only possible with premium gasoline which Mazda recommends—any gas quality lower than premium will produce less horepower. Now the benefits of a hybrid engine is more so longer distance between trips and not necessarily speed. Its smaller electric motor only offers 26 miles of electricity before adding the gasoline engine contributes the rest for a combined range of 490 miles.

The PHEV version of the CX-90 specializes in distance not speed.

While Mazda did do an excellent job with the long-range associated with hybrid engines, I missed the output from Mazda’s inline 6-cylinder engine, from the previous Mazda we’ve tested, which I’m accustomed to. Mind you, it does live up to 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds but shorter 0-40 mph or 0-20 mph instances, its performance provided a bit of resistance to quickly accelerate from standing still. I, along with other reviews, feel as though the PHEV version of the CX-90 is missing the output I’ve come to know and love from Mazda – even from a 4-cylinder engine from the company. I feel that if we tested the CX-90’s gasoline-only turbo engine, we would have no qualms with its performance.

Mazda’s suite of driver assistance features called i-ActiveSense provides the usual suspects of blind-slot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, driver attention alert, emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and front and rear cross traffic alert. During my travels, I found them to be spot on by default with no need to lower or raise the sensitivity for its sensors when parking or staying within a lane.

What Could Be Better?

The CX-90 PHEV lacked the robust power I’m used to from Mazda’s inline 6-cylinder turbo gasoline engine. Now, it has horsepower but the 4-cylinder hybrid lacks the oomph we get from previous Mazda vehicles we’ve tested.
The 2nd-row cup holders are an afterthought in their design and placement. It’s more of a swiveling tray from the side as it doesn’t feel sturdy or well-built.
The 3rd-row isn’t as roomy as other 3-row SUVs. Mind you the 3rd-row in most SUVs usually gets the short end of the stick, but still manages to feel cramped w/ one less seat. Passengers in the 2nd-row would need to move their seats up to accommodate taller passengers.

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