2024 Mazda CX

Jul 05, 2023

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Plug-in hybrids help span the gap between gas and full electrification. Many American families aren't quite ready to take the leap to EVs, which is where the 2024 CX-90 Hybrid comes in. This premium three-row crossover offers the refined road manners we expect from a Mazda, while a punchy 323-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain offers up to 26 miles of electric driving per charge. The CX-90's interior does its best impression of a luxury SUV, complete with standard leather upholstery, upscale features, and a pleasing design. An eight-seat layout is standard, but second-row captain's chairs—a popular choice for those with kids—are optional and lower the seat count to seven. Not into hybrids? Mazda's mid-size offering is also offered with a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six, but we review that model separately. They're both great.

The CX-90 Hybrid is a new product for Mazda, replacing the CX-9 and slotting into its role as the brand's family-friendly three-row offering alongside its nonhybrid sibling.

The CX-90 Hybrid's base trim comes well-equipped with premium features such as leather upholstery, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power rear liftgate, three-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, and heated front seats, but we'd spring for the mid-range Premium instead. Going with the Premium trim adds second-row captain's chairs, a panoramic sunroof, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose stereo system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a wireless device charging pad.

The CX-90 Hybrid's plug-in powertrain is a 323-hp setup similar to what's used in the European-market CX-60 SUV. An inline four-cylinder engine works in conjunction with an electric motor and a 17.8-kWh battery pack. All models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and, much like the rest of the Mazda SUV lineup, the CX-90 has standard all-wheel drive. During our initial test drive, we found that the electrified powertrain offered plenty of power for city and highway driving. We liked both sides of the equation; the gas engine has a surprisingly rowdy exhaust note, and the electric drive has more than enough power to cruise along silently without wishing for additional motivation. The CX-90 Hybrid also delivered refined road manners with the athleticism Mazdas are known for.

The plug-in hybrid model comes with a 17.8-kWh battery pack that's good for an EPA-estimated 26 miles of electric driving per charge. Charging at home on a 120-volt outlet will replenish the battery in a lengthy timeframe, so that'd be best left for overnight charging. However, just 90 minutes on a 240-volt connection will be enough to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent.

The EPA hasn't released official estimates yet for the CX-90 Hybrid's fuel economy, but we're expecting to see higher numbers than the nonhybrid model. When we get a chance, we'll take the CX-90 Hybrid on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route to evaluate its real-world fuel efficiency. For more information about the CX-90 Hybrid's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

To accompany its upscale exterior, Mazda has endowed the CX-90 Hybrid with a stylish cabin that features room for up to eight passengers. Opt for the second-row captain's chairs and the total seating drops to seven. The fabric dashboard upholstery and nappa-leather seats found in higher-end models look striking in tandem. The Base Preferred trim is less plush but no less handsomely styled.

Depending on trim, a 10.3- or 12.3-inch infotainment display is nestled into the dashboard and controlled through a click wheel on the CX-90 Hybrid's center console. Mazda's latest infotainment interface is easy to navigate and relatively intuitive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, but only the Premium and Premium Plus trims offer wireless connectivity for those features. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard. Audiophiles will have to upgrade to the Premium or Premium Plus trim to unlock the 12-speaker Bose premium stereo.

All CX-90s come with a suite of driver-assistance features called i-Activsense, which includes automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. For more information about the CX-90's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Mazda offers an adequate protection plan for buyers of new CX-90s. What it doesn't offer is something that both the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid do: complimentary scheduled maintenance.

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