Mazda CX-90 PHEV: Luxury on a Budget

You are looking for a premium SUV experience without the painful price tag. The Mazda CX-90 PHEV steps into a highly competitive market by directly challenging high-end German brands. With a plug-in hybrid powertrain, three rows of seating, and high-end interior finishes, Mazda is proving that luxury can be affordable.

The Push for Premium

For years, Mazda has been slowly upgrading its interior materials and driving dynamics. The CX-90 PHEV is the ultimate result of this shift. Built on an entirely new rear-biased all-wheel-drive platform, this SUV is designed to mimic the driving feel of traditional luxury vehicles like the BMW X5 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Mazda moved away from front-wheel-drive architecture to give the CX-90 better balance and sharper handling. They also added Kinematic Posture Control. This software lightly applies the brakes to the inner rear wheel during tight corners to reduce body roll. It is the exact same technology Mazda uses in the MX-5 Miata sports car.

Comparing the Specs: Mazda vs. German Rivals

When you compare the Mazda CX-90 PHEV directly against its German plug-in hybrid competitors, the value becomes obvious.

Mazda CX-90 PHEV

  • Engine Setup: 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a 68-kW electric motor.
  • Battery Size: 17.8-kWh.
  • Power: 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque (when using premium fuel).
  • Electric Range: 26 miles.
  • Base Price: Starts around $49,945 for the Preferred trim.

BMW X5 xDrive50e

  • Engine Setup: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with an electric motor.
  • Battery Size: 25.7-kWh.
  • Power: 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
  • Electric Range: 40 miles.
  • Base Price: Starts around $72,500.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e

  • Engine Setup: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor.
  • Battery Size: 23.3-kWh.
  • Power: 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.
  • Electric Range: 48 miles.
  • Base Price: Starts around $69,500.

While the BMW and Mercedes offer more horsepower and a longer electric range, they cost over $20,000 more than the entry-level CX-90 PHEV. Furthermore, the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE are primarily two-row vehicles. The CX-90 provides standard three-row seating, making it a much better option for larger families.

Interior Quality and Features

To compete with German luxury, a car must feel expensive inside. Mazda succeeds here, especially if you look at the top-tier Premium Plus trim. Priced at $57,450, the Premium Plus model still undercuts the base models from BMW and Mercedes by a massive margin.

Inside the Premium Plus, you will find materials that rival cars costing $80,000. Mazda includes soft Nappa leather seats, real curly maple wood trim on the doors and center console, and a unique hanging stitch technique on the dashboard called Kakenui.

Technology is also a strong point. The driver gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, while a matching 12.3-inch center screen handles infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Unlike many modern luxury cars that force you to use touchscreens for everything, Mazda keeps physical buttons and knobs for the climate controls. This makes adjusting the air conditioning or seat heaters much safer while driving.

Charging and Daily Practicality

The whole point of buying a PHEV is to save money on gas during daily commutes. The CX-90 features an EPA-estimated electric range of 26 miles. For the average American driving roughly 15 miles to work, this allows for a fully electric round trip if you charge at the office.

Charging the 17.8-kWh battery is highly convenient. If you plug the vehicle into a standard 120-volt household outlet (Level 1), it takes about 11 hours to charge from 20% to 80%. If you install a 240-volt Level 2 charger at home, that same 20% to 80% charge takes less than two hours.

Once the battery runs out, the 2.5-liter gas engine takes over seamlessly. The combined fuel economy is rated at 56 MPGe. When running on gasoline alone, you can expect around 25 mpg combined.

Is the CX-90 PHEV a True Luxury SUV?

The answer is yes. Mazda has successfully created a vehicle that looks, feels, and drives like a premium European SUV. The cabin is incredibly quiet at highway speeds due to thick acoustic glass and heavy sound insulation. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, and the transition between electric power and gas power is barely noticeable.

If you have a budget of $50,000 to $60,000 and want a plug-in hybrid with three rows, the CX-90 PHEV stands almost completely alone in the market. You get the fit and finish of a German luxury car but keep the famous Mazda reliability and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Mazda CX-90 PHEV qualify for the federal EV tax credit? No. Due to the most recent changes in the Inflation Reduction Act regarding battery sourcing and final assembly locations, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV does not currently qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit when purchased. However, Mazda frequently offers a $7,500 lease bonus that acts as a loophole to pass those savings on to customers who choose to lease rather than buy.

How much can the Mazda CX-90 PHEV tow? The plug-in hybrid version of the CX-90 has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. If you need to tow heavier loads, you should look at the standard inline-six gas version of the CX-90, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Do I need to use premium gas in the CX-90 PHEV? You do not have to use premium fuel. The SUV will run perfectly fine on regular 87-octane gasoline. However, to achieve the maximum advertised 323 horsepower, Mazda recommends using 93-octane premium fuel. Running regular gas will slightly reduce the total horsepower output.