Mazda CX-90 - Plug-In Hybrid VS the Turbo S

The Mazda CX-90 is a spacious, efficient SUV that’s attractive inside & out. If you’re shopping this segment of 3-row SUVs, it might be easy to overlook Mazda… but they should be on your list. Also, the smaller 2-row CX-70 Turbo S, and the CX-50 2.5 Turbo are both strong options in their respective segments as well. But back to the CX-90: We’ve driven both the plug-in hybrid and the 3.3 inline-6 Turbo S versions at this point… getting the chance to take both of them on roadtrips. Pictured is the plug-in hybrid version of the Mazda CX-90, officially named the CX-90 PHEV. And for my money, after driving both, the inline-6 Turbo S (no hybrid) is the way to go.

The non-hybrid Mazda CX-90 Turbo S…

Has a robust 340hp from its inline 6-cylinder turbo engine. What’s more – it still utilizes a small/minimal battery that seamlessly assists in neutral-power situations. It’s like a baby hybrid. For example, if you’re running/gliding down the highway in a situation where you’re not necessarily in the throttle, the small battery will seamlessly take over. It’s not enough to accelerate the vehicle or power it from a stop. But – it yields about 27mpg (highway) on the Turbo S with the 3.3 inline 6-cylinder turbocharged engine. And that’s an all-around win… with impressive gas mileage and driving dynamics for a vehicle of its size.

There’s no arguing that the Mazda CX-90 PHEV…

Offers the additional benefit of an initial ~30 miles of fully-electric, fuel-free driving. But the trade-off is the driving experience. And less towing capacity if that matters to you. With only a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, you get less engine & more battery in the PHEV. And here’s the thing: Once the 30-mile bonus is depleted, every time you accelerate from a stop, the hybrid transition from electric-to-gas is less than seamless & fluid. It’s abrupt & jerky. The Mazda CX-90 PHEV surges & cuts between power sources, making it downright challenging to drive the vehicle smoothly. We roadtripped this vehicle to Charleston with a family-friend in the backseat. And while the car was more than spacious enough to be comfortable for all of us… I repeatedly had to apologize for the erratic throttle response on city streets.

Additionally I immediately felt the effects of what I can only assume is the additional weight of the battery on the suspension. It feels like the rear springs need a stronger shock & spring-rate to support the hybrid. To describe it: Let’s say there’s a dip in the road. When you hit the dip, you feel the rear and yank down more than it should. Coming out of the Toyota Crown Signia hybrid & getting straight into the CX-90 PHEV – there was a stark difference in terms of ride quality.

Bottom line: the Mazda CX-90 PHEV is…

A really efficient vehicle for its size (without the cost and/or range limitations of an EV). And you can’t take that away from it. But – it’s not the best driving experience in the CX-90 lineup. If you go to the Mazda dealership to test drive the CX-90, drive the Turbo S first, and then drive the PHEV back-to-back… and decide if the extra MPGs are worth it for you. Depending on your commute/routine, it might be. The main/notable benefit of the PHEV is the roughly 30 ‘free’ miles you get every morning from overnight charging (220v outlet probably needed).

It’s important to acknowledge that Mazda is on the come-up…

Mazda sales steadily & impressively increased throughout 2024. Sales of the CX-90 went up something like 85% in 2024. And sales of the CX-50 went up just shy of 90% (Source: The Drive). That’s wild! It shows that these Mazda platforms are really gaining steam. And it’s an indication that Mazda is in-touch with what many consumers want: Internal combustion vehicles & without a coma-like driving experience. You may not have heard, but Mazda told the Australian government to shove it when they tried to force more & more absurd/stringent mandates. They basically said “Fine us, we’re gonna make the cars our customers want.” Meanwhile, many other carmakers have overpriced their vehicles, overcomplicated them, made them less desirable, and lost trust with both their customers and dealers.

Be warned though – all the nanny/safety beeps will make you wanna drive the CX-90 straight in a lake if you don’t turn ‘em all off. The beeps, warnings, and steering wheel overrides were so bad in the CX-90 Turbo S… that it just about ruined the entire car for me. I’d rather hang out with mosquitos. Only on the last day of our Turbo S loan, did I finally sit in the driveway and spend 10-minutes figuring out how to turn all that crap off. Thus – it was the literal first thing I did when this CX-90 PHEV arrived.