LOOKS 

The CX-90 offers a somewhat smaller footprint than many of its three-row SUV rivals. Looking at it from the outside, you wouldn’t immediately think it can carry up to 8 passengers.

In terms of design features, my test vehicles featured sharp wheel designs, a classy grille, and attractive lighting setups in front and back. 

The CX-90 offers 21-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, a hands-free power rear liftgate, power panoramic moonroof, LED headlights with auto on/off, aluminum roof rails, rain-sensing windshield wipers, plus heated power side mirrors.

Go inside the CX-90, and you’ll quickly realize why the Mazda brand is so hard to define in the hierarchy of vehicles. It’s not a luxury vehicle officially, but feels like one inside at times.

My test vehicles included Nappa leather seating, and an extremely plush level of design that tops most rivals. The CX-90 also offers attractive wood-style trim on areas including the center console and the doors.

Highlights of the interior include
— 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar and driver seat memory
— Heated and ventilated front seats
— Heated leather steering wheel
— Heated second-row seats
— Second-row window sunshades 

The plug-in hybrid features up to 7 seats, and you can have up to 8 passengers if a middle row bench seat is chosen. Captain’s Chairs are also available in the second row for more comfort. In any configuration, the CX-90’s seating is comfortable for all passengers on drives long and short.

For families wanting easy access to all rows, you’ll be happy to hear that accessing the third row in the CX-90 is a breeze, just pull a lever to fold down the seats. Like most three-row vehicles, I would recommend the back row for kids only whenever possible, as it’s among the tighter fits in the segment. The first and second row in the CX-90 are both quite roomy and feature ample leg room and head room.

Due to its design, cargo space in the CX-90 is smaller than you’ll find with some rival three-row SUVs. Cargo volume caps out at 75 cubic feet with the rear rows down, and some rivals beat that number by a significant margin.

This raises a key question for buyers considering the CX-90: What is more important to you — the drive quality, or cargo space? Because while it can hold less cargo, the CX-90 delivers a driving experience that’s hard for its rivals to match.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The gas version of the CX-90 comes with two engine options:

— A turbo 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine delivering 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque

— A Turbo S offering that boosts those numbers up to 319 horsepower and 369 pound feet (with regular gas), or 340 horsepower with premium gas

On the plug-in hybrid, you’ll find a turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 17.8 kWh battery that delivers a combined 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet.

Every version of the CX-90 comes with all-wheel drive, and uses an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 0-to-60 times are as low as 6 seconds (on the Turbo S), with the base gas engine in the upper 6 second range. The plug-in comes in at the low 6-second range. All of these are solid numbers and compete well in segment.

Between the gas and hybrid versions, the overall driving experience is better in the gas version — both in the sound of the engine and overall response to acceleration. But across the board, it’s fair to say that Mazda has a leg up on most competitors when it comes to driving enjoyment in this segment.

Their vehicles, even larger ones like the CX-90, are designed for performance and not just utility, and offer a best of both worlds scenario for families. Power is there when you need it, but the drive is also smooth when you don’t need to be as aggressive. 

The CX-90 in my experience drives like a smaller vehicle than its size would suggest, and is responsive, agile, and responds quickly to driver input. Paddle shifters are also included for drivers who want to have more input on the gears.

Towing capacity caps out at 3,500 pounds on the hybrid, and 5,000 pounds on the gas version.

Overall, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a three-row SUV with a more enjoyable driving experience than the CX-90.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Mazda’s tech system is decent overall, and voice commands worked effectively. But unfortunately it still relies on Mazda’s long-running center dial to do most of the physical controls. I look forward to the day this system is replaced in the Mazda lineup with the large touchscreen they’ve started to unveil in other new vehicles like the 2026 CX-5.

While the dial control is something you’ll get used to, it’s outdated compared to rival vehicles’ tech systems, and needs to be modernized across the Mazda lineup.

Also of note: You can only use the touchscreen (which comes sized at 10.3 or 12.3 inches) when pairing your phone via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

You have Bluetooth connectivity to stream calls and audio to the vehicle, and sound systems are either 8 speakers (standard) or 12 speakers (Bose Premium system, which is optional). Wireless phone charger is also included, as are six USB ports.

A host of safety features are included on the CX-90, and they all work well, though the Distracted Driver warning can be a bit overzealous.

Multi-view cameras are helpful in parking situations, and the vehicle features a 5-star overall safety rating.

Among the safety systems included are:
— Automatic Emergency Braking
— Blind Spot Monitoring
— Front and Rear Parking Sensors
— Frontal, Knee, Curtain and Side Impact Airbags
— Rear Cross Traffic Alert
— Traffic Sign Recognition
— Lane Departure Warning System
— Emergency Lane Keeping
— Adaptive Cruise Control

MPG, RANGE, CHARGING

The gas-only CX-90 that I tested was listed at 23 city/28 highway/25 combined.
I experienced around 24.5 mpg, largely in line with those numbers.

These are competitive numbers in the three-row SUV segment, and better than many key rivals. 

Opting for the plug-in hybrid will get you 56 MPGe (combined gas and electric); and 26 MPG when using gas only. 

On a full battery, the PHEV can travel 26 miles on electricity alone before it switches over to its gas engine. So if you only drive short distances and charge regularly, gas will be rarely needed. A Level 2 home charger will get the PHEV version of the CX-90 fully charged in a couple hours.

PRICE

Trim levels offered on the CX-90 PHEV are Preferred, Premium Sport and Premium Plus. On the gas version, you can choose Select, Preferred, Premium Sport, Premium Plus, S Premium Sport, and S Premium Plus.

The plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-90 that I tested (a Premium Plus model) was just over $60,000, and the base price starts about $50K. The standard gas CX-90 I tested was around $52K, and pricing starts around $40K.

Given Mazda’s unique standing as a brand that isn’t quite luxury but is definitely more upscale than most non-luxury rivals, these price ranges seem appropriate, and you get plenty of features even at the lower end of the trim scale. Opting for the S models will get you additional horsepower, but they are more costly as well.

The extra cost for the PHEV is only worth the premium cost if you will be diligent and plug in regularly, limiting gas usage. If not, the math doesn’t work out.

Another tip: Since this year's model is largely unchanged, if you're comfortable with a used car, you may want to shop previous model years of the CX-90 to save on overall cost.

Warranties are decent but not spectacular, including:
— Overall warranty: three years/36,000 miles
— Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
— PHEV includes 96-month/100,000-mile battery warranty
— 24-hour roadside assistance (3 years/36,000 miles)

BOTTOM LINE 

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is a strong three-row SUV option with luxury leanings. Its upscale design and interior will impress anyone who gives it a test drive, and its drive quality will top most rivals in the segment.

The plug-in hybrid version extends range, but only buy it if you will plug in regularly. If not, get the gas version, which offers a better driving experience.

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