In today’s fast paced world of modern sport utility vehicles (SUVs), demand is strong for new models with the latest technology. Models that are a few years past their latest refresh can start to look tired quickly, and that is where we find the 2026 Mazda CX-90. Introduced for the 2024 model year, this three-row, seven-passenger SUV has not changed much since then. So can it really compete today?
Photo: Tim Stevens
For 2026, Mazda adds several small features to the CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), including 21-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, and heated seats for the first two rows.
For 2026, the CX-90 PHEV is available in Preferred, Premium Sport, and Premium Plus trim levels. Prices range from the low $50,000s to just over $60,000, including the destination charge.
For this 2026 CX-90 PHEV review, Mazda provided a test vehicle equipped with Premium Plus trim and no options. The test vehicle’s manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $60,030, including the $1,530 destination charge to ship the crossover SUV from the Hofu, Japan, assembly plant to a local dealership. The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Mazda manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Tim Stevens
If you have seen a CX-90 before, you will not find much that sets the 2026 model apart. Only the 21-inch wheels are truly new, and they add a bit of extra personality to an already quite attractive machine.
The interior is even more eye catching, especially in this White Nappa interior. It might not be the first choice for anyone with kids who cannot keep the jelly in their peanut buttersandwiches, but it is definitely a welcoming sight when you first open the door. The vertical bronze strip inset into the front seats is particularly attractive.
Those seats are covered in perforated leather and, as standard, offer both heating and ventilation in the front row. The heating is very comprehensive, so hot that I had to turn it down a few notches even on a very cold day. Ventilation is slightly less prodigious but still effective, as is the heated steering wheel.
That leather upholstery looks and feels good, but the rest of the interior materials are a mixed bag. The soft-touch plastics on the upper edge of the dashboard and doors are fair, but the insets that seem to aim for wood trim lower on the doors and in the center console do not hold up on close inspection. Likewise, you will find plenty of loud, stiff plastics if you let your fingers wander lower in the cabin.
So it is a great looking space, at least, and a usable one. The pockets in all four doors are generous, big enough for larger water bottles that will not fit in the front- or middle-row cupholders. The middle row is also heated on the outer two of its three seats. In addition, the second-row seatbacks recline or fold down with a 60/40 split.
Full grown adults will be comfortable there, but they absolutely will not be in the third row. Those seats offer little legroom and even less headroom. It is not a great place to be for long. Smaller kids probably will not mind, and they will certainly appreciate the dual USB-C ports back there, as well as the three-prong outlet in the cargo area, which can keep even the most power-hungry gaming laptops juiced.
That cargo area offers up to 15.9 cubic feet of storage. Fold down the third row, which is easily done thanks to straps in the seatback, and the capacity expands to 40.1 cubic feet. Drop the second row as well, and the capacity expands to 75.2 cubic feet of cargo storage.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The 12.3-inch touchscreen in the 2026 CX-90 PHEV has the odd distinction of being touchable only part of the time. Mazda designed its infotainment experience to be used exclusively with the rotary controller in the center console. It is actually very quick to switch from media to navigation with the dedicated buttons, then scroll and click your way through various menus.
However, in a concession to modern smartphone interfaces, when you pair either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, either of which can be done wirelessly, the screen gains touch functionality. You can still use the rotary wheel if you like, or you can reach up and touch the screen. And it is quite a reach. I am six feet tall, and I found it awkward to touch the far side of the display.
Mazda's interface covers all the core functions, including:
But it all feels extremely dated here. That is especially true of the voice assistant. You need to explicitly tell it that you are giving an address, and then speak slowly and clearly to have any hope of being understood. Need to find the closest place you can get a burrito? You will not find any spoken help here.
At least, unless you enable the car's built-in Amazon Alexa functionality. Do that, and while the response time is slow, you can at least use more natural commands like "I need some coffee" and expect results.
Sound plays through a 12-speaker Bose sound system, which offers more power than finesse but, regardless, did a great job on tricky tracks and filled the cabin with ease.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The CX-90 PHEV is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor and paired with a 17.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup delivers a total system output of 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the rating is 26 mpg combined. In my mixed testing, driven in Normal mode, I came up short at 24.4 mpg.
However, as a plug-in hybrid, the CX-90 promises much more. Mazda says the battery pack offers an official range of 26 miles. In my testing, I came up one mile short of that before depleting the battery, but it is worth noting that even in electric-vehicle (EV) mode, the SUV frequently used its engine.
When going up hills or trying to accelerate quickly, it had no qualms about firing up the internal combustion engine. That means those 25 miles were not purely electric, and it also means that if you are looking for a PHEV that gives a true taste of the electric-vehicle lifestyle, this is not it.
In EV mode, the CX-90 PHEV is manageable and can gradually build to highway speed. However, you will struggle to keep up with traffic in most situations without calling for four cylinders' worth of power.
The good news is that the SUV blends power from its two sources extremely smoothly, so there are no harsh transitions as the engine fires up or quiets down. You just get seamless power. The eight-speed automatic transmission also keeps things smooth, although it can be a little harsh at lower speeds.
The suspension can be a bit harsh on bumpy, broken roads, but in exchange you get an SUV that is surprisingly fun to drive. The steering is not particularly sharp, and this is no MX-5, but it is definitely more engaging than you would expect from a three-row, seven-seater.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV includes the following active safety features:
In addition, my Premium Plus test vehicle added the following features:
In my testing, the CX-90's lane centering assistance system worked well, even when the lane markings were unclear. The adaptive cruise control system also met expectations, detecting traffic early and managing speed. In fact, it was a little too conservative. Even on its closest follow setting, the gap to the car ahead was too large for my liking.
The driver monitoring system here is extremely attentive, bleeping at me whenever I spent a moment too long studying the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. That may be a bit annoying at times, but it is also effective at keeping your eyes on the road.
Regarding safety ratings, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all versions of the 2026 Mazda CX-90 five out of five stars overall. Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested it and rated it a “Top Safety Pick+” for the 2026 calendar year.
According to the JD Power 2026 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Subaru Ascent ranks highest in the Upper Midsize SUV segment, with the Ford Explorer and Kia Sorento ranked second and third, respectively.
According to the JD Power 2026 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Hyundai Palisade ranks highest in the Upper Midsize SUV segment, with the Nissan Pathfinder and Dodge Durango ranked second and third, respectively.
Other 2026 CX-90 competitors include the GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, and Toyota 4Runner.
In many ways, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is an SUV punching above its weight. It has a premium look and feel that is uncommon at this price point, and with generous comfort in the first and second rows, it is also a practical machine. But the third row is of limited value, and the technology experience is simply disappointing. If those are priorities for you, you may want to look elsewhere.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with nearly 30 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from smartphones to supercars. In addition to jdpower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
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