On paper, a rear-wheel-drive-based plug-in hybrid three-row crossover with a gorgeous design sounds like the stepping stone into the future for an enthusiast’s family.
Unfortunately for the 2024 Mazda CX-90, this ideal vision falls apart in reality.
The 2024 Mazda CX-90, which replaced the aging CX-9 in the lineup, has a TCC Rating of 6.8 out of 10, but that’s for the overall lineup, not specifically the plug-in hybrid model. For the most part, the CX-90s share their strengths and weaknesses except when it comes to the powertrains. A gorgeous design, comfortable ride, and sharp handling, along with a good amount of power, all hit high notes for the CX-90 plug-in hybrid, but the packaging is a mixed bag, the powertrain isn’t smooth, and the efficiency underwhelms.
Here are the pros and cons of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid after spending a week in it shuttling the kids to activities and then taking a family road trip.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
Pro: Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid powertrain feels strong
The CX-90 PHEV pairs a 189-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a 173-hp electric motor, 17.3-kwh battery pack, and 8-speed automatic transmission. All in, the system is rated at 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It’s a strong powertrain with plenty of punch off the line thanks to the electric motor. My butt dyno puts the 0-60 mph time at about six seconds, which is pretty respectable. It sounds … fine, and there’s plenty of power for passing.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
Con: Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid powertrain lurches
A hybrid should feature a smooth powertrain. Toyota’s hybrids are as smooth as a warm knife slicing through butter. Mazda’s plug-in powertrain is more like using a butter knife to cut through a lamb shank. Even in electric-only mode the 8-speed automatic shifts in order to keep the gas engine at the ready. Those shifts make the entire CX-90 judder. When the juice runs out or the system calls for power from the gas engine, the transitions come with a lurch. At times the powertrain gets indecisive and can’t decide what it’s going to do. It feels more like a prototype than a production car.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
Pro: Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid delivers visual delight
If I chose one word to describe the design of the CX-90 inside and out it would be gorgeous. The proportions feature a long dash-to-axle ratio and short overhangs at both ends that only a rear-wheel-drive platform can provide. There are tasteful chrome bits around the grille, on the fenders, and the windowline, and the 22-inch wheels look as if they were cut from diamonds. Inside, there’s soft leather, no shiny piano black plastic, and a simple almost Volvo-like interior, but with more hard buttons to easily control the climate and audio systems. Nothing in its competitive class touches this, including the lovely Kia Telluride. It’s a real shame that the touchscreen only responds to touch commands while using Apple CarPlay, otherwise it relies on an outdated rotary knob on the center console.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
Con: Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid efficiency underwhelms
The plug-in hybrid CX-90 has an EPA-rated electric driving range of 26 miles, 56 MPGe combined rating, and 25 mpg gas-only rating. Those are all fine, though by no means impressive. Pretty much every other plug-in hybrid crossover SUV is more efficient, and the upcoming Toyota Grand Highlander plug-in hybrid is probably going to make the Mazda look downright thirsty. In the real world the CX-90 was capable of driving 26 miles, consistently, even at highway speeds of 70-plus mph, on electric power only. There was enough electric power here to get to highway speeds without engaging the gas motor, unless I mashed the pedal. Once the battery ran out of juice the CX-90 averaged 24.9 mpg, which is only 2 mpg better on average than the V-6-powered three-row competitors, from the Kia Telluride to the Honda Pilot. A 2023 Toyota Highlander AWD hybrid gets 35 mpg combined.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
Pro and Con: Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid packaging
Getting in and out of the back half of the CX-90 is a breeze thanks to large doors that open wide a full 90 degrees. This eases access to both the second- and third-row seats. My tester’s second-row captain’s chairs featured flip-up cup holders that could be folded down when not in use. My kids both commented on this and loved that the cup holders could be tucked away, providing space between the seats to store stuff during the road trip. All three rows of seats are comfortable, though the third row isn’t as spacious as a Toyota Grand Highlander and foot room is limited.
2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
The fold-flat third row isn’t actually flat. The third row’s raised seat bottom, which partially sits on the battery pack, makes for a sloped cargo floor just like in the Toyota Grand Highlander. There’s no raised lip on the hatch opening like in the Ford Explorer (Ford calls it an Apple Catcher, clever), which leads to soccer balls and other items simply rolling out when the rear hatch opens. And despite being basically the same overall width as the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride, there’s much less space up front for the driver and passenger. My right knee constantly ended up resting on the side of the transmission tunnel and center console. At least it was padded in my loaded $58,920 Premium Plus Package tester.
Until the plug-in Toyota Grand Highlander arrives, the Mazda CX-90 is one of the few non-luxury-badged plug-in hybrid three-row crossover SUVs with a habitable third row. It had a real opportunity, which makes it all the more unfortunate the plug-in hybrid powertrain arrived unrefined.
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2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
Base price: $40,970, including $1,375 destination
Price as tested: $58,920
Powertrain: 323-hp plug-in hybrid, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
EPA fuel economy: 26 miles electric range, 56 MPGe combined
The pros: Gorgeous, strong plug-in hybrid powertrain, certain parts of the packaging
The cons: Unrefined powertrain, compromised packaging, underwhelming efficiency