Automotive design is a battlefield of compromises, a chessboard where every bold move comes with a calculated retreat. Want torque? Forget fuel economy. Demand luxury? Kiss budgetary restraint goodbye. And in the case of the 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus, what you get is a family hauler that pulls off a hat trick most SUVs wouldn’t dare attempt.
It delivers over 50 MPGe in real-world commuting, handles with the finesse of a car 1,000 pounds lighter, and still looks sharp enough to hold its own at a valet stand.
2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus Review: 50 MPGe Efficiency Meets Sports-Car Handling
But, and there’s always a but, the closer Mazda inches toward premium territory, the more visible the growing pains become.
This isn’t theoretical. This is real-world praise wrapped in real-world criticism, delivered via a 5,000-mile review by Reddit user Cheap_Entertainer733. Their post wasn’t just another internet brain dump, it was a thoughtful, point-by-point breakdown of what works and what doesn’t in Mazda’s most ambitious SUV to date.
“Just hit 5k miles on my 2025 CX-90 PHEV PP... What I was looking for in an SUV: 1 - Reliable 2 - Room for 5 adults plus luggage 3 - 300 hp 4 - 30+ mpg 5 - AWD 6 - No CVT 7 - Comfortable interior (leather, premium sound) 8 - Gas option for road trips... Pleasant surprises: 1 - Fun to drive, rear wheel bias, and responsive steering 2 - Over 50 MPGe for daily 50-mile commute...
Disappointments: 1 - Tech is very primitive for a wannabe luxury vehicle... 4 - Rough ride... 8 - Works great with my android, but glitches with wife's iPhone... Overall, we are very happy with our CX-90. We understand some of the design decisions were made as part of a performance trade-off or to hit a price point. But we would have been ok paying a little more for top-tier fit and finish that really checks all the boxes.”
Let’s address the heart of the matter: Mazda knows how to build a car that drives right. Even with three rows, a plug-in hybrid system, and enough mass to challenge continental drift, the CX-90 remains lively.
Key Specifications: Powertrain, Dimensions & Cargo Capacity of the CX-90 PHEV
- The CX-90 PHEV combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 68 kW electric motor, delivering a total system output of up to 323 horsepower. It features a 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, providing an estimated electric-only driving range of up to 26 miles per charge.
- The vehicle measures 201.6 inches in length, 77.6 inches in width (excluding mirrors), and 68.7 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 122.8 inches. These dimensions contribute to its spacious three-row seating configuration.
- Inside, the CX-90 PHEV offers seating for up to eight passengers. Cargo space includes 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down, accommodating various passenger and cargo needs.
Rear-wheel-biased, responsive, and competent through corners, it’s about as close to a Miata as you’re going to get in something with room for seven. As another Redditor, midnight-viper, observed,
“The handling of the car is excellent... It’s just that remaining 20% [of roads] where ride quality takes a hit.”
That’s Mazda’s M.O., delivering driving engagement at the cost of serenity. Suspension feel here is tuned for the autobahn, not Main Street’s frost heaves.
Interior Tech & Driver-Assist Shortcomings in Mazda’s Near-Luxury SUV
And that’s just one axis of compromise. While the CX-90’s powertrain is a clear win, offering over 50 MPGe during daily commutes and a gas engine fallback for long-distance runs, it’s the interior tech where Mazda’s limitations start showing.
“The middle screen doesn’t work as a touchscreen unless using CarPlay.”
Noted, Ill_Device_3055, while Cheap_Entertainer733 added,
“ACC and lane keep work okay on a straight, well-marked highway... but gets easily confused by curves or barriers.”
Even the 360° camera offers no blended view, and the rear camera lacks the turning guide lines you’d expect in anything above a base-trim Kia.
But before we descend too far into criticism, let’s remember what Mazda is aiming for. This isn’t a tech demo. It’s not an iPad on wheels. It’s a driver’s SUV with just enough buttons to make a BMW engineer nostalgic.
“I’ve come to love the infotainment wheel.”
said the original poster, and they weren’t alone. In an industry sprinting toward screen-based everything, Mazda’s tactile interface feels deliberate, and for some, even comforting. It's a design philosophy closer to analog Seiko than digital Samsung.
Trim Segmentation & Option Lockouts, What’s Missing at the Top PHEV Level
Still, if Mazda wants to play in the luxury sandbox, they’ll need to bring more than driving dynamics and knobs. The CX-90 PHEV’s trim structure doesn’t quite add up. As Cheap_Entertainer733 pointed out,
“Top PHEV trim does not include all the goodies of the top I6 trim.”
And the PHEV variant is inexplicably locked out of some of the best paint and interior options. This kind of segmentation makes sense at the dealer lot but feels tone-deaf for buyers dropping north of $50,000. If you’re spending that much, you don’t want to hear “not available on this configuration.”
Despite these missteps, what’s striking is how many owners are still genuinely happy.
“Things were off to a rough start, but Mazda fixed any issue that popped up, and I’m fully enjoying it now.”
Said garbagesp00ns. And others, like timmeh-eh, echoed the sentiment, reliability is steady, the drivetrain is solid, and the few bugs that popped up seem to have been resolved. Mazda’s dealer support even earned praise, with a “lifetime powertrain warranty” winning unexpected goodwill in a market where most brands treat post-sale support like a begrudging obligation.
Why the CX-90 PHEV Is More Statement Than Spec Sheet
In truth, the CX-90 PHEV may be less about being perfect and more about making a statement.
It says that Mazda still builds cars for people who care about how a vehicle moves, not just how many cup holders it has or how many pixels the gauge cluster can show.
Inside Kodo: Mazda’s Design Philosophy of Motion, Minimalism & Emotion
- Kodo design captures the essence of motion by drawing inspiration from the graceful movements of animals and natural forces. This results in vehicles that appear poised and ready to move, conveying energy and vitality even at rest.
- Emphasizing simplicity and the beauty of empty space, Kodo design employs clean lines and uncluttered surfaces. This minimalist approach creates a sense of refined elegance, allowing the form of the vehicle to speak for itself without unnecessary embellishments.
- Mazda's designers and craftsmen focus on creating a strong emotional connection between the car and its driver. Through meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to artisanal quality, each vehicle is designed to resonate with the human spirit, enhancing the driving experience.
But in doing so, it also shines a spotlight on the brand’s current identity crisis: stuck somewhere between premium and mainstream, between simplicity and sophistication. As one commenter on Mazda forums put it:
“Compared to mainstream SUVs, it’s down on features... Compared to luxury SUVs, it’s a bargain, but with compromises.”
And maybe that’s the point. Mazda isn’t trying to be Lexus, BMW, or Tesla. They’re trying to be Mazda, thoughtful, dynamic, and unafraid to make the hard calls. As Just_an_avg_dev wrote,
“Mazda should sacrifice a bit of handling for more comfort or offer air suspension... I’d spend $3k more.”
That’s the voice of a buyer who gets it, who understands the trade-offs and just wants the final polish. If Mazda can thread that needle, if they can keep the soul while sanding the rough edges, they’ll be a genuine threat in the premium market. Until then, the CX-90 remains a fascinating near-luxury bruiser with the heart of a sports car, built for the rare few who still think driving matters.
Have you driven the Mazda CX-90? What do you think about the SUV and has it set the standard for sport SUVs in it's segment?
Let us know in the comments below.
Image Sources: Mazda Media Center, Reddit
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
