SUVs are everywhere these days, and it’s easy to see why. Families love the space, comfort, and versatility, and now automakers are sneaking in hybrid powertrains to make these roomy rides a bit kinder on gas.
one mid-size Japanese SUV is standing out from the crowd, though. It mixes sleek,luxury-inspired design with premium materials and surprising fuel efficiency-all without carrying a Lexus badge.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV rolled out in September 2025 with mostly cosmetic tweaks and some handy new standard features.even with a slight price bump, it still delivers that luxury feel without the luxury price, making it a compelling choice in the hybrid SUV segment.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate data possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Mazda and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, repairpal, and TopSpeed.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV feels like a Lexus-without the luxury price
Table of Contents
Torque
369 lb-ft
Transmission
Automatic
driveline
All-wheel drive
EV range
26 miles
Total range
490 miles
Fuel economy (city)
24 mpg
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This Hybrid SUV Feels Like a Lexus—Without the Luxury Price Tag
This stylish, efficient three-row hybrid delivers luxury vibes, great comfort, and strong value—without the luxury price tag.
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV is a spacious SUV with upscale style
Mazda calls its design language “Kodo,” a Japanese word that roughly means “heartbeat.” The idea is to give the car a sense of energy and motion-even when it’s just sitting still.
The CX-90 uses that focus t
Even with its conventional SUV shape, the CX-90 never feels boring or over-the-top. Details like a gloss-black grille, dark-chrome signature wing, and the PHEV badge on Premium Sport models keep it feeling upscale.
Piano-black side mirrors and roof rails add extra flair, and the Premium Sport trims also get a blacked-out Mazda logo plus auto-dimming, power-folding mirrors.
Standard LED headlights and taillights give the car a modern touch. The “heartbeat” turning signals light up in smooth patterns, and all 2026 CX-90 PHEV trims come standard with 21-inch wheels.
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV packs tech that’s both luxurious and easy to
Mazda’s interiors have quietly stepped into premium territory, and the CX-90 PHEV shows just how far the brand has come. The tech feels thoughtful, the screens are understated, and almost nothing feels cheap or tacked-on-though the second-row cupholder in seven-passenger models is a rare exception.
Unlike other mainstream brands that rely on flashy displays or gimmicks, Mazda sticks to quality and simplicity. Most of the three-row seats are comfortable and supportive for long drives.
For 2026,the Premium Plus trim brings Mazda’s Driver Personalization system to the CX-90 PHEV,a feature that used to be reserved for the top-tier 3.3 Turbo S models. It lets drivers save up to two profiles for steering, seats, and side mirrors, making it easy to hop in and go.
The 12.3-inch infotainment screen is large and simple to use
Music fans will love the Premium Sport’s 12-speaker Bose stereo, which delivers rich, clear sound for the price. Safety gear is plentiful, too, including frontal collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and safe exit assist.
Quilted leather and real wood give the CX-90 a luxe feel
Charging the CX-90 PHEV from empty takes a few hours on a standard 120-volt outlet, or just over an hour with a level-2 charger.
Once fully charged, Mazda estimates the SUV can go up to 26 miles without using any gas.
On average, drivers can expect to spend less than 20 cents per mile in hybrid mode.
The CX-90 keeps yearly maintenance costs surprisingly low
