A Week With: 2026 Mazda CX-90 Premium Sport

Mazda has spent years building a reputation for vehicles that feel a little more sophisticated than their price tags suggest. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV only adds to the legacy of those efforts.

Mazda’s flagship three-row SUV features upscale styling, an electrified powertrain and a generous offering of comfort and safety technology. It is designed for families who need the versatility of a midsize SUV but would prefer something with a little more personality than the typical family hauler.

The plug-in hybrid version also offers an appealing alternative to the conventional gasoline-powered CX-90. The ability to cover short daily trips on electricity alone is enticing. On a practical level, it means lower gas consumption. On a feeling haughty level, it’s like driving an EV without having to worry about the range or charging network battery-electrics require.

However, plug-in hybrids always come with compromises, particularly when it comes to electric range and the complexity of the powertrain. Nevertheless, the CX-90 PHEV makes a compelling case for buyers who want an SUV that balances premium aspirations with everyday usability.

An Elegant Standout in a Boxy World

The big design trend in this segment is a return to the rectangle. And given that midsize SUV is, regardless of what you do to it, IS a big rectangle at its core, Mazda designers managed to give the CX-90 a distinctive identity.

There’s no overdone body cladding, complicated creases or oversized decorative elements, the CX-90 relies on flowing lines and sculpted surfaces to create a long, confident profile that hides the fact that, at its heart, it’s a rectangle with curves.

The front end features Mazda’s familiar grille design, framed by slim headlights and a chrome signature wing. The hood looks substantial but not bulky, while the gently curved body panels give it a simple elegance that hints that it’s more expensive than it is. Length does that, and the CX-90 gives the illusion of being really long — while just being normally long … if you will.

For 2026, all CX-90 PHEV models receive 21-inch wheels as standard equipment, giving the SUV a more substantial stance. The Premium Sport trim adds black-finished wheels and darker exterior details for buyers who prefer a sportier appearance — and I do.

The CX-90 PHEV looks upscale without trying to do so. The CX-90’s appeal comes from its overall design rather than from conspicuous electrification badges.

Space, Buttons and Tech

Inside, the CX-90 continues Mazda’s effort to move closer to the premium end of the market. Every PHEV trim now includes ventilated front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and eight-way power-adjustable front seats. Those additions make the cabin more accommodating in both hot and cold weather.

The dashboard features a horizontal layout with the center console neatly integrated into the design and function. While some new utes overwhelm with a massive screen, Mazda’s gone full Goldilocks — every screen is just right.

Our Premium Sport model includes a 12.3-inch central display, a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging and six USB-C ports distributed across the three rows. Three-zone automatic climate control, including third-row air vents, helps keep passengers comfortable throughout the cabin.

It also has a panoramic moonroof, and included ventilated front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and eight-way power-adjustable front seats. Those additions make the cabin more accommodating in both hot and cold weather as well as feeling spacious and bright.

Not only does the CX-90 offer plenty of room for occupants — even the third row wasn’t too bad — there’s decent amount of space behind the third row. It’ll hold a medium-sized run to the grocery store, a golf bag or several duffels.

However, if you lower those seats, you get an impressive cargo hold that would be perfect for a golf foursome or a run to home improvement store. In addition to space, the rear cargo area offered a 120-volt outlet as well as a separate 12-volt charging outlet so you can operate a few electrical appliances at the same time.

All Juiced Up Under the Hood

The CX-90 PHEV uses a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 17.8-kWh lithium-ion battery. The combined system produces up to 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using the recommended premium gasoline. However, that drops to 319 hp, with the same torque figure if you use regular octane gas. An 8-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ all-wheel drive complete the package.

Those numbers are respectable for a three-row family SUV. Some are better, others not so much.  The electric motor supplies some of that immediate torque that EV fans love, which makes it feel a little zippy.

If you’ve run the battery down, as I did, vehicle performance is affected — substantially. Ride and handling are fine. Some utes to you can toss around a bit on a curvy road and have a bit of fun — this is not one of those vehicles.

The plug-in hybrid system also offers several driving modes through Mazda’s Mi-Drive system, including Sport, Off-Road and EV. The EV setting prioritizes electric propulsion, making it useful for commuting, school runs and other short trips. Sport mode sharpens the powertrain’s response, while all-wheel drive provides additional traction in slippery conditions. Aside from a brief run through the modes, I left them untouched — as most drivers do.

The battery delivers an EPA-estimated electric range of approximately 26 miles, although Mazda claims as much as to 27 miles, and I can confirm 27 miles in my week with it. If you have easy access to a charger, 26 or 27 miles is generally enough to run around town without getting you’re your gas tank. I live in a condo with no nearby charger so c’est la vie!

However, if you decide to charge the CX-90 PHEV while you’re out, it’s pretty straightforward. There is a convenient storage cubby for it in the cargo area. That same space holds the tools for changing a tire and allows for a few other items of your choosing, which is a nice bonus.

If you do have a Level 2 home charger, it can replenish the battery in about two-and-a-half hours. A standard household outlet requires a real commitment. For owners who can charge overnight or while parked at work, the arrangement makes sense. Drivers who rarely plug in, however, will miss much of the powertrain’s efficiency advantage.

Would I?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV brings together elegant styling, a well-equipped interior, respectable performance and the convenience of electric driving for short trips. Its three-row layout and standard all-wheel drive make it a practical choice for families — regardless of size.

It’s a comfortable place to be with enough room without being too big. A more famous writer than I termed it “just right,” I believe. Mazda’s lineup tends to offer performance with style and comfort, and as long as your CX-90 PHEV is fully charged. The range is … fine. There are plenty of others offering electric-only range well into 30 miles or even 40 miles, and Mazda would do well to catch up.

The final point is the window sticker. Our near-top-of the line PHEV Premium Sport came in at $55,895. The CX-90 certainly feels like it should cost more … but how much more? I’m not sure. I won’t say it’s a bargain at this price, but if I bought one — and I would consider it — I would tell EVERYONE about how buying a near-luxury SUV for just $5,000 more than the average price paid for vehicles in the U.S. now is really smart.