The 2026 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid offers the advantages (and disadvantages) of a turbocharged inline-six model, but with enough electric driving range to potentially avoid using gas to shuttle the kids to and from school. And thanks to several updates, it no longer feels like it somehow left the factory in prototype form.
the basics
For the most part, the CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid is the same model we all know and some love. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is now standard along with a 12.3-inch infotainment system screen. Trim configurations have been changed, with the Preferred model now including ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Oh, and 21-inch wheels are now standard, so I hope you don’t want the smaller 19s with more sidewalls. Although minor to some, possibly worthwhile stuff.
Visually, it will still require a keen eye and a close look to tell that the CX-90 you’re looking at is a plug-in hybrid. It’s like the kids say, despicable. It has a secondary fuel-filler door, one per side, which covers the charge port on the rear passenger-side fender, a PHEV label in the fender jewels, and a small badge on the lower right side of the tailgate. Small pieces. Overall, this is still one of the most handsome, shapely and most premium-looking mainstream three-row SUVs on the market. Acura is still dreaming about the dash-to-axle ratio of this thing.
Inside, the CX-90 plug-in hybrid is identical to the gas-only model. In fact, some of the packaging originates from the battery packs of plug-in hybrid models. The second row seats are arranged stadium-style, with the rear seats looking higher than the front seats. It’s much tighter in the second row than the Honda Pilot or Hyundai Palisade. Third-row foot room is also affected by the raised floor for that battery pack. What’s worse, the fold-flat third row on both the gas and plug-in hybrid models doesn’t actually fold flat. Packaging causes the load floor to slope toward the rear hatch, allowing round objects to roll toward the tailgate. Soccer balls are fun with this thing. Quick hands, people.
The dashboard is a handsome affair with real buttons, knobs, toggles and switches that provide a satisfying click. The quirks of the infotainment system (although many angry Mazda owners said this could be a feature) have been covered. The short version is that the touchscreen isn’t a touchscreen unless you enable it, and even then it can only work with Apple CarPlay. Yes, this is confusing and stupid. Navigation for the infotainment system is mainly limited to the console-mounted round click wheel and quick buttons. Material? One step up from any Honda and two steps up from any Toyota. You won’t find suede or linen in any of these vehicles.
Driving the 2026 Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid
The CX-90 plug-in hybrid combines a 2.5-liter inline-four with an electric motor, sandwiched between an eight-speed automatic transmission and the rear axle, sending power to all four wheels. Combined system output checks in at a healthy 319 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, but it’s on 87 octane. Mazda says if you fill up with the good stuff you’ll get a gain of 4 hp, 93 octane. You probably won’t notice the 4 HP.
That electric motor is powered by a 17.8-kWh battery pack. The electric motor is rated at 173 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, which is about how much power you’ll have when driving in electric-only situations.
Around town, and even on the highway, there’s plenty of speed off the line thanks to the electric motor’s quick torque. With both the gas engine and electric motor running, this thing can probably hit 60 mph in about 6.0 seconds. Passing power is fine at any highway speed. But when moving to electrons only, things change. You can call 173 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque more than enough for speed. This gets the job done, but the story ends here. This is no EV, and if you need more power, passing a barrier on the accelerator pedal will kick in the gas engine. I found that the electric power alone is enough to keep the gas engine from starting at school in mixed suburban driving.
After several technical service bulletins – five for the transmission alone and 12 for the powertrain – the plug-in hybrid system no longer feels like it’s a prototype released to the public. The implementation, with an eight-speed automatic transmission, still varies when driving solely on electric power was an option for anyone, and it was not a good one. TSB is proof of this. But now there is no interruption in 1-2 and 2-3 shifts in electric only mode, and no interruption in power transition from electric only to hybrid mode. The entire system is no longer described as undecidable. polish? Maybe it’s a stretch, but acceptable is a good way to describe it now.
Range, charging and efficiency
The CX-90 plug-in hybrid is rated at an electric-only range of 27 miles. In my experience, this is nearly accurate in the real world, even with ambient temperatures in the 20s. Less impressive is the combined rating of 26 mpg.
Whenever the CX-90 plug-in hybrid was in my garage, I plugged in a Level 2 240-volt charger. It took just over 2 hours to recharge the battery from full drain. Mazda said a Level 1 110-volt outlet will take 11 hours to go from 0% to 100%.
During 477 miles of mixed suburban driving, the onboard trip computer somehow displayed a nonsensical average of 49.3 mpg using some obscure calculation based on gas and electricity used, although that’s a great number for a three-row crossover SUV. However the EV-only 1.7 miles/kWh average is much less impressive and about the same as the Hummer EV.
decision
At $52,025, including a $1,530 destination charge, the 2026 CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid isn’t cheap, but it comes equipped with leather-trimmed seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, a power moonroof, and real buttons and knobs! The top-spec Premium Plus trim costs $60,625 as tested and adds a Bose audio system, a head-up display, 21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive front lighting, and even a windshield wiper deicer system.
In fact, there are no other competitive options for a three-row crossover SUV of this size with a mainstream non-luxury badge and a plug-in hybrid powertrain for any money. To break into Volvo XC90 territory, which could be with a nicer interior and a smoother, more powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain, you have to go through a lot.
The CX-90 plug-in hybrid is the only game in town, and after several updates, there’s finally an option for families wanting a mainstream three-row plug-in hybrid. The gorgeous design hides its discreet, and now acceptable, plug-in hybrid powertrain. But the turbo-six model still feels more refined.
Mazda provided The Drive with a seven-day loan of this vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.
2026 Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid Premium Plus specs
| Base Price (Premium Plus) | ₹52,025 ($60,625) |
| powertrain | 2.5-liter inline-four | 8-speed automatic | all-wheel drive |
| horse power | 319 |
| Torque: | 369 pound-feet |
| seating capacity | till 8 |
| curb weight | 5,243 pounds |
| towing capacity | 3,500 pounds |
| cargo volume | 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row 40.8 cubic feet behind the second row | 75.2 cubic feet behind first row |
| surface | 8.1 inches |
| epa fuel economy | 27 miles electric only range | 26 joint |
| score | 7.5/10 |
take it quickly
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid is polished and ready for prime time.
