Driving the New Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Electric Hybrid in its Most Premium Trim
Mazda’s flagship full-size SUV gets a plug-in hybrid option for 2024, and I spent a week driving it in its luxury Premium Plus trim. In that time, I got to experience the benefits of the new SUV’s plug-in power––and a few limitations.
Design and Interior
The Premium Plus version of the CX-90 PHEV starts at just under $60k, and from a luxury standpoint, the interior is extremely refined. Every surface you touch feels premium; you’ve got your arm on a leather console or your hand on the precision edges of a metal dial. All the analog buttons on the dash are also appreciated, as I don’t enjoy having to go through a touch screen for everything. I like that Mazda hasn’t gone too far into the future here. There’s nothing overly techie that screams “electric!” No glaring visual cues making promises of a new and better future. Inside and out, it has the same dignified design presence of the CX-90 of recent years. Refined, it certainly is. Exciting… maybe not. Then again, the excitement in a Mazda SUV is more about the drive and handling.
Encountering the user interface for the first time, I had trouble pairing it over Bluetooth with two different devices. I attempted to troubleshoot but eventually gave up due to time constraints. Another issue was the steering wheel’s audio source toggle and the steering wheel locking multiple times while the SUV was in park. On the positive side, the battery can be used as a 1500-watt outlet, which could be very useful for camping.
It is a three-row SUV, with the third row more suitable for kids. The panoramic moon roof keeps the third row feeling light and airy, while the second row is comfortable for adult passengers on long car rides.
Experience and Performance
The CX-90 PHEV comes standard with all-wheel drive. The electric-only range is estimated to be 26 miles, and with a full charge and tank, the range is 490 miles. However, the vehicle is not compatible with Level 3 DC fast chargers, making long road trips less practical. On the other hand, in daily use, charging the battery is easy and quick. In short drives, the performance is magnificent, especially when driving fully electric or in sport mode.
Driving on gas alone, the engine didn’t match the posh interior for the reviewer, which led to the conclusion that the gas-only version may be more suitable for long drives, while the hybrid excels in short-distance drives.
It’s recommended to make a well-informed decision regarding the choice of a plug-in hybrid, considering individual driving habits and needs.
Final Thoughts
Users are encouraged to carefully assess their driving habits and needs before deciding on the best-electrified vehicle option. The CX-90’s PHEV version may fit well for many, but it may not be the ideal choice for everyone.
Image Source: ZikG / Shutterstock
