The 2026 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid delivers the pros (and cons) of the turbocharged inline-six model, but with enough electric driving range to likely avoid using gas to haul 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. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is now standard along with the 12.3-inch infotainment system screen. The trim configurations have been tweaked, 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 didn’t want those smaller 19s with more sidewall. Minor, though for some, possibly meaningful stuff.
Visually, it will still take a keen eye and a close look to tell that the CX-90 you’re looking at is the plug-in hybrid. It’s as the kids say, lowkey. There’s a secondary fuel-filler door, one per side, covering the charge port on the rear passenger-side fender, a PHEV label in the fender jewelry, and a small badge on the lower right side of the tailgate. Minor bits. Overall, this is still the gorgeous, curvy, and most premium-looking mainstream three-row SUV on the market. Acura’s still dreaming about this thing’s dash-to-axle ratio.
Inside, the CX-90 plug-in hybrid is the same as the gas-only model. In fact, some of the packaging compromises across the board stem from the plug-in hybrid model’s battery pack. The second-row seats are arranged stadium-style, with those in the back looking over those in front. It’s notably tighter in the second row than a Honda Pilot or Hyundai Palisade. The third row’s foot room is also affected by the raised floor for that battery pack. Worse, the fold-flat third row, on all models, both gas and plug-in hybrid, doesn’t actually fold flat. The load floor slopes toward the rear hatch due to the packaging, which allows round objects to roll toward the tailgate. Soccer balls are fun with this thing. Quick hands, people.
The dashboard is a lovely affair with real buttons, knobs, toggles, and switches that deliver a satisfying click. The infotainment system’s quirks (though plenty of angry Mazda owners noted it might be a feature) have been covered. The short version is that the touchscreen isn’t a touchscreen unless you enable it to be, and still it can only operate as such with Apple CarPlay. Yes, that’s confusing and silly. Navigation for the infotainment system is mainly limited to the console-mounted round click wheel and quick buttons. The materials? All a full step above any Honda and two steps above any Toyota. You aren’t finding suede or linen in either of those vehicles.
Driving the 2026 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
The CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter inline-four with an electric motor, sandwiched between the eight-speed automatic transmission and the rear axle, that sends power to all four wheels. Combined system output checks in at a healthy 319 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, but that’s on 87 octane. Mazda notes you’ll gain 4 hp if you fill up with the good stuff, 93 octane. You probably won’t notice 4 hp.
That electric motor is powered by a 17.8-kWh battery pack. The electric motor on its own is rated at 173 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, which is how much power you’ll have when driving in electric-only situations.
Around town, and even on the highway, there’s plenty of punch off the line thanks to the electric motor’s instant torque. When both the gas engine and electric motor are running, this thing can probably sprint to 60 mph in about 6.0 seconds. Passing power is fine at any highway speed. But when only running on electrons, things change. That 173 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque are what you might call adequate while ramping to speed. It gets the job done, but that’s about where the story ends. This is no EV, and should you need more power, pushing past a detent on the accelerator pedal will fire the gas engine. I found the electric-only power to be enough not to start the gas engine on school runs in mixed suburban driving.
After multiple technical service bulletins—five for the transmission alone and 12 for the powertrain itself—the plug-in hybrid system no longer feels like it’s a prototype somehow released to the public. The implementation having the eight-speed automatic transmission still shift even when driving on electric-only power was a choice by someone, and it wasn’t a good one. The TSBs are the proof. But now the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts while in electric-only mode no longer judder, and power transitions from electric-only to hybrid mode no longer come with a lurch. The entire system is no longer described as indecisive. Polished? Perhaps that’s a stretch, but acceptable is a good way to describe this now.
Range, Charging, and Efficiency
The CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid is rated at 27 miles of electric-only range. In my experience, that’s about accurate in the real world, even with ambient temps in the 20s. The 26 mpg combined rating is less impressive.
I plugged into a Level 2 240-volt charger anytime the CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid was in my garage. The battery took just over 2 hours to recharge when fully depleted. Mazda said a Level 1 110-volt outlet would take 11 hours to go from 0% to 100%.
Over the course of 477 miles of mixed suburban driving, the onboard trip computer somehow used some unclear calculation based on the gas used and electricity run on to display a meaningless average of 49.3 mpg, though that’s a big number for a three-row crossover SUV. Though the EV-only average of 1.7 mi/kWh is far less impressive and about the same as a Hummer EV.
Verdict
At $52,025, including a $1,530 destination charge, the 2026 CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid isn’t cheap, but it does come well equipped with leather-trimmed seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, a power moonroof, and real buttons and knobs! The top-spec Premium Plus trim tested cost $60,625 and added a Bose audio system, a heads-up display, 21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive front lighting, and even a windshield wiper deicer system.
In reality, there aren’t any other competitive options for this size three-row crossover SUV with a mainstream non-luxury badge and a plug-in hybrid powertrain for any money. To enter Volvo XC90 territory, which can be had with a nicer interior and a smoother, more powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain, you’ll have to pony up quite a bit more.
The CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid is the only game in town, and after many, many updates, there is finally an option for families seeking 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 and sounds more polished.
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 |
| Horsepower | 319 |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft |
| Seating Capacity | Up to 8 |
| Curb Weight | 5,243 pounds |
| Towing Capacity | 3,500 pounds |
| Cargo Volume | 15.9 cubic feet behind third row | 40.8 cubic feet behind second row | 75.2 cubic feet behind first row |
| Ground Clearance | 8.1 inches |
| EPA Fuel Economy | 27 miles electric-only range | 26 combined |
| Score | 7.5/10 |
● Quick Take
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid is polished and ready for prime time.
