Jump LinksSporty Alternative To Other 3-Row SUVsPlug-in Hybrid Boosts Efficiency And PracticalitySubtle Tweaks Over Last YearMore Features As StandardMazda has been repositioning itself as a brand that offers a premium luxury alternative to some European brands in the US market. With such a rebranding, comes the need for bigger and more technologically advanced cars and SUVs.The Mazda CX-90 fulfills most of those criteria, as an SUV with 3-rows with space for up to seven passengers. The company introduced the plug-in hybrid version of the CX-90 with the 2024 model year. This gave the SUV more power, better fuel economy, and the ability to travel short distances on electric power alone. So, how does the 2026 model fair in terms of efficiency and performance?All mpg ratings are sourced directly from the EPA. The MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price), where mentioned, excludes delivery fees and other costs, and is correct at the time of writing. Automakers reserve the right to update pricing at their own discretion and without notice. 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Specs And Performance Sporty Alternative To Other 3-Row SUVs 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV 2.5L NA PY-VPH I4 EngineThe Mazda CX-90 PHEV sits as the flagship model in its current lineup. While the exterior and interior look relatively unchanged for the 2026 model year, that is also the case for the internals of the mid-size SUV. The plug-in hybrid model gets the smaller 2.5L inline four-cylinder engine coupled with a 17.8-kWh battery that feeds power to a 68-kW motor. Combined, they still output a healthy power figure, at 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. All trims of the PHEV use an 8-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive that is generally rear-biased.The 3-row seating SUV has nearly a 50:50 weight distribution and a double-wishbone front suspension, delivering on the engaging road feel Mazdas have been known for having. It has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, which is the same as the Toyota Grand Highlander. It combines that athleticism with daily usability, as a plug-in hybrid. Its battery and motor use the torque to fill in gaps in gear changes. The PHEV also benefits from instant torque from a standstill, and can do the 0–60 mph sprint in around 6 seconds, which is commendable for an SUV that weighs 5,243 lbs in its base trim. 2026 Mazda CX-90 Efficiency Plug-in Hybrid Boosts Efficiency And Practicality 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV e SkyActive PHEV Rear ScriptWhile efficiency is not the CX-90's main focus, it is still respectable in the areas that benefit a plug-in hybrid. The 17.8-kWh battery provides an EV-only range of up to 26–27 miles, according to the EPA. This is especially great for commuting within the city in stop-go traffic. The electric motor means the engine does not need to use fuel for basic slow-speed driving. The EPA estimates a combined MPGe rating of 56, which is a big number, but only provided that the battery is topped up. At highway speeds or when the battery depletes fully, the 2.5L engine provides a average of around 26 mpg. Combined with the Mazda CX-90 PHEV's gas tank size of 18.5 gallons, the SUV has a total range of 500 miles.If you travel long distances on highways frequently, the PHEV may not benefit you as much as you would think. After the initial 26–27 miles, the car works like a traditional ICE-powered SUV. The battery pack, cooling systems and charging infrastructure also add weight, which makes the engine work harder. The main benefit of a PHEV is if you live in an urban, traffic-dense environment, where the car can capitalize on and utilize features such as the EV-only range, regenerative braking, etc.The battery can be charged in two ways, either through a standard household outlet or a level 2 charger. The battery takes up to 1.5 hours to charge from 20–80% from a 240V charger, and about six to seven hours from a 120V household charger. The charger supplied with the car itself is rated up to 7.2 kW. 2026 Mazda CX-90 Exterior Subtle Tweaks Over Last Year 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus Pearl Front Angled ViewAt first glance, not much has changed externally when compared to last year's model. For 2026, all three trims of the PHEV get 21-inch rims as standard. A new polymetal gray metallic paint color has also been added for this year. The CX-90 follows Mazda's Kodo design language with a wide grille, elongated hood and cured body lines instead of sharp and angular designs. The three trims on offer in 2026 are Preferred, Premium Sport and Premium Plus.The Premium Plus trim gets adaptive front lights and all trims get full LED headlights and taillights. The Premium Plus trim also gets a windshield wiper de-icer for cold climates. The Premium Sport trim gets a sportier honeycomb mesh while the Premium Plus trim gets body-colored side molding to differentiate it from the other trims.Apart from that, the roof rails get a gloss black finish on the Premium Sport trim and a satin chrome finish on the Premium Plus trim. The rim designs also changed with the trim, although the size remains the same on all three. It is interesting to note that the SUV in the Premium Sport and Premium Plus trim is marginally taller at 68.7 inches when compared to the Preferred trim at 68.3 inches. Because of this, the ground clearance is also ever so slightly higher on the latter two trims, at 8.1 inches when compared to eight inches on the Preferred. 2026 Mazda CX-90 Interior More Features As Standard MazdaWhile the interior looks relatively unchanged for the 2026 model year, there are a noticeable number of features added inside the cabin. All three trims get ventilated seats, power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, heated first and second-row seats and two position memory settings as standard now. You also get an-eight way powered passenger seat and a heated steering wheel as standard. Amazon Alexa technology has been integrated on all three trims from the factory as well.The interior is plush and well-equipped, with nappa-leather seats on the higher trims. You get dual 12.3-inch displays for the central touchscreen and driver. Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto with Alexa built-in are standard across the range. A 12-speaker Bose Surround System is also standard.The third row still remains to be sufficient for kids and pets, but may be a tight squeeze for adults for extended periods of time. With the third row folded down, the cargo space increases from 16 cu-ft to 40 cu-ft. While the second row is offered with captain's chairs on the upper two trim levels, the seating is locked to seven passengers. The third row becomes a three-seater on the cars with captain's chairs and a two-seater on the cars with a second row bench. 2026 Mazda CX-90 Pricing MazdaThe PHEV demands a premium over the 3.3L CX-90, as is the case with any true plug-in hybrid option. Although the difference between the non-hybrid base trim and the cheapest hybrid trim is significant here, at around $12,000, you get a lot of kit as standard on the hybrid models. The biggest rival in terms of price is the Toyota Grand Highlander. The Toyota three-row SUV is available as a full hybrid with more power in its top trim for around $59,000. However, the Mazda uses more premium materials and is more luxurious and plush inside when compared to the Toyota.Mazda positioning themselves as the middle ground between the cheaper alternatives and the European brands puts it in a unique position. While it may not be the best value for money in terms of performance or the highest efficiency score, it is significantly more premium than the offerings from Toyota and Kia, while being cheaper than models from Volvo and Mercedes.