2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus - Review by David Colman

A satisfying and luxurious experience

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

In the distant past, manufacturers were proud to brag on the window sticker how many cylinders your new engine possessed. Today, that kind of basic detail has become passé. For example, take the sticker of this week's test vehicle, Mazda's 2025 CX-90 PHEV. Under the heading titled "Engine/Mechanical Features," the engine is listed as "E-SKYACTIVE PHEV." Other than a Mazda employee, who can make sense of that description? It wasn't until I waded through the 2-pound Owner's Manual that I discovered the PHEV version of the CX-90 range is powered by a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine rather than the 3.3 liter inline six which juices gasoline-fueled versions of this model. In fact, the 2.5 liter four has a small 89mm bore and a long 100mm stroke, a design which helps it produce more torque (192lb.-ft.) than horsepower (189hp).

What makes the plug-in hybrid CX-90 almost equal to the output of the gasoline-fueled six is the addition of an AC motor which contributes its own 199lb.-ft. of torque and 173hp. Combined, the two power sources yield 369lb.-ft. of torque and 323hp. That's 43hp more than the CX-90's 280 hp base gas motor, but 17hp short of the top level turbocharged 340hp gas motor. The main advantage of selecting the PHEV is its ability to run on electric power for 25 miles every day before needing a recharge. While that's not much range, it may just suit your lifestyle requirements. A number of Mazda PHEV owners have reported that they go months between gas fills by plugging in overnight for short errand runs during the day.

Another benefit of the added EV power source is the burst of torque the electric motor adds the instant you stomp the accelerator. At 369lb.-ft., the PHEV equals the torque output of the turbocharged 3.3 liter gas-fueled inline 6. A $700 tow hitch and wiring harness is a dealer-installed option. Tow capacity for both the gas model and the PHEV model is 3,500 pounds. Note that a "Towing" choice is available as one of the four drive mode categories offered by the MI-Drive mode selector switch. The others are Sport, Off-Road, and EV mode.

We recently tested the intercooled and turbocharged 3.3 liter inline 6, outfitted in Premium Plus trim, and carrying a sticker price of $57,950. The PHEV we tested this week, painted the identical shade of Rhodium White Metallic ($595 extra), cost $60,000. That extra fifty bucks makes the PHEV the stalking horse in the CX-90 stable. If fit and finish are guideposts, then the Premium Plus level is well worth the price bump over lesser versions. In keeping with their long-standing attention to detail, Mazda designers have crafted a lovely and livable cabin, with black Nappa leather seats, enhanced by rust-colored contrast stitching to embellish the dash and the armrests on the door panels. Three-zone automatic climate control will keep up to seven passengers happy. You can instantly convert this SUV into a carry-all by folding flat the two captain's chairs in the second row as well as the bench seat in the third row. Doing so produces a spacious load platform capable of transporting 41.5 cubic feet of cargo. My full-size bike slipped through the kick-entry activated rear door like a charm.

After driving several examples of the CX-90 over the past year, the one debit we experienced in all models was the occasional penchant of the 8-speed automatic transmission to stumble in gear selection. Another aspect of gearbox performance that needs attention is the operation of the shift lever, which is mounted on the console separating the front seats. Immediately after starting the CX-90, this lever could not be moved from Park to Drive with alacrity. Some fine-tuning on the gearbox mechanism would be welcome.

Other than that gripe, we found driving the CX-90 to be a satisfying and luxurious experience. This hefty SUV handles with the kind of precision we've come to expect from much lighter Mazda products A beefy set of Falken Ziex CT60R all-season radials (TW 300) lend a steadying hand during cornering maneuvers. The beautifully constructed interior is the strong suit of the Premium Plus package. Adding to the appeal is a 12-speaker Bose AM/FM/HD radio that floods the cabin with notes from a dozen hidden locations. For 3 months a SiriusXM radio subscription is free, but should you prefer to choose your own tunes, Mazda provides 6 Bluetooth/USB inputs, plus wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The wireless phone charger is another thoughtful inclusion.

If your travel circumstances dictate daily short outings, then the 25-mile travel range of the PHEV version is your best choice from the CX-90 model range. But it is also marginally the most expensive, at sixty grand, and not worth the extra complication and curb weight of hybrid technology if your daily drive exceeds the stipulated range.

2025 MAZDA CX-90 PHEV PREMIUM PLUS

• ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline-4 + AC Motor + 14.8kWh lithium-ion battery Pack
• HORSEPOWER: 323hp
• TORQUE: 369lb.-ft.
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 24MPG City/27MPG Highway
• COMBINED GAS + ELECTRICITY: 56MPGe
• PRICE AS TESTED: $60,000

HYPES: Fast, Stable, Handsome, Comfy

GRIPES: Limited EV Range

STAR RATING: 9 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman