2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV review: Get the Inline 6

Great gas mileage is not enough to take this hybrid over the amazing inline six version

2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

TL;DR:

Don’t bother with the PHEV version of the otherwise excellent CX-90 SUV. For a deeper dive into why, check out my review of the standout CX-90 powered by its glorious inline-six engine. Otherwise, stay here for comments and criticisms explaining how the pricier plug-in hybrid ends up being the worst version of an otherwise brilliant SUV from Mazda.

Clunky operator

Unlike other automakers who’ve spent decades perfecting hybrid systems, Mazda is still learning—and it shows. While the setup is improved upon from the CX-90 PHEV’s debut, the hybrid powertrain remains hesitant and clunky in daily use. The roughness is most noticeable during transitions from braking or coasting to light throttle inputs at low speeds. These unpredictable surges and jolts of power undermine the refinement you’d expect at this $60,000 as-tested price point and from Mazda in general.

There are also some odd noises from the drivetrain, and turning the wheel to full lock during a tight three-point turn sounds as if the power steering goes under serious strain.

Foul soundtrack

Instead of six silky cylinders performing in perfect harmony, this CX-90 delivers a gruff and coarse four-cylinder tune. It’s not terrible for what it is, but when the alternative is so sweet, you’d have to be out of your mind to choose this soundtrack after hearing and prodding the (cheaper) inline-six.

Inline-sixes are legendary for their smoothness and rich tone—there’s a reason so many classic and revered BMWs and other sports cars used them for decades. They sound and feel special, while this four is a symphonic and mechanical compromise.

Fuel Economy doesn't add up

Driven purely as a hybrid (without plugging in), the PHEV returns only about a 10% improvement in fuel economy over the six-cylinder—25 MPG versus 23 MPG overall. For the downgrade in engine character, that modest gain is entirely underwhelming.

You can, however, achieve far better results if you do regularly charge the battery. If plugging in is convenient and cost-effective for you, the PHEV may make sense—and you won’t have to listen to the four-cylinder as often if you keep the battery topped up for the maximum 25ish miles of electric driving.

It's not actually faster

Despite boasting similar horsepower and the same torque on paper, the four-cylinder PHEV feels easily slower under heavy throttle. Acceleration tapers off noticeably past 50 MPH, leaving the standard CX-90 feeling stronger in real-world passing and highway situations. Further, the powertrain feels strained when asking for it. The off-the-line getaway is decent from the instant torque of the electric motor, but it fades fast.

What it does right

The same beautiful exterior shape is present and so is the lavish interior. Filled with lots of leather and love, it's a beauty among generic and cheapened competitors. Oh, and the handling is absolutely fantastic and begs to be driven like a sports car on backroads.

Every CX-90 trait that impressed before remains intact: the gorgeous exterior styling, a richly trimmed and luxurious interior, and stellar steering and chassis dynamics. Handling is genuinely fantastic—more reminiscent of a well-sorted sports sedan than a family SUV—and it encourages spirited backroad driving in a way rivals cannot match.

Quirks are still here

Shared across all CX-90s (and CX-70s) are a few peculiar quirks: hollow-feeling exterior door handles, a touchscreen that’s just out of easy reach, and no proximity-sensing locks for the rear doors. You also can’t open the rear liftgate from the driver’s seat unless the car is both in Park and after you click unlock on the door (pressing unlock on the key fob did nothing in this case).

I discovered this the hard way picking up a friend from the airport—they kept asking me to open the liftgate, and I kept saying, “I’m trying!” while desperately holding the in-cabin button above my left knee. My solution at the time? Turning the car off entirely. Ridiculous.

A terrific car underneath, with a less than terrific powerplant

Few midsize SUVs can match the CX-90’s blend of luxury, handling, and craftsmanship. Yet the PHEV version falls short, offering too little efficiency gains and too much unpolished hybrid awkwardness to justify its added complexity let alone cost. If you have convenient, inexpensive charging at home or work, the PHEV might fit your lifestyle. But once you experience the inline-six CX-90, you’ll realize there’s simply no substitute.

More photos of the 2025 Mazda CX-90

2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus basic specifications

• As-tested price: $60,000

Powertrain & Vehicle Specs

• Engine: 2.5 L inline-4 + electric motor

• Combined output:~323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque (with premium fuel)

• Transmission: 8-speed automatic.

• Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (i-ACTIV AWD).

• Battery: 17.8 kWh lithium-ion pack.

• Electric-only range: ~25 miles.

• Fuel-economy when operating as hybrid: 25 mpg combined in gasoline-only mode.

• Towing capacity: Up to ~3,500 lbs (when properly equipped).

• Vehicle dimensions / other key specs:

  • Fuel tank capacity: ~18.5 gal.

  • Cargo volume behind 3rd row: ~15 cu ft; 40 cu ft behind 2nd row, and maximum 75 cu ft with all seats folded

Interior & Tech Features (Premium Plus trim)

• Seating layout: 7-passenger standard (with 2nd-row captain’s chairs) and optional 8-passenger.

• Upholstery: Nappa leather-trimmed seats.

• Front seats: Heated and ventilated. 2nd-row seats also heated.

• Steering wheel: Heated.

• Infotainment: 12.3-inch center display; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Bluetooth connectivity.

• Audio: Premium sound system (e.g., Bose with 12 speakers available).

• Connectivity: Wireless phone charging pad; full Mazda Connect system with voice commands and vehicle-status features.

• Climate control: Three-zone automatic climate control.

• Driver assistance & safety: Standard advanced driver-assist suite including front & rear Smart Brake Support, Blind-Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keep Assist, Traffic-Sign Recognition.

• Convenience features: Hands-free rear power liftgate, power-folding side mirrors, windshield-wiper de-icer, second-row window shades.

• Charging/EV tech: Supports Level 1 & Level 2 charging; portable 120 V cable included.

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