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.
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.
View Price on AmazonInside, 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 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.
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 horsepower if you fill up with the good stuff, 93 octane. You probably won’t notice 4 horsepower.
That electric motor is powered by a 17.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The electric motor on its own is rated at 173 horsepower 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 speed.
Source: thedrive.com
