Overview
Plug-in hybrid cars are a stepping stone from traditional gas cars to fully electric ones. Many families in America are still getting used to electric vehicles (EVs), and that’s where the 2024 Mazda CX-90 Hybrid fits in. It’s a fancy SUV with three rows of seats that drives smoothly, just like we expect from a Mazda. Plus, it has a strong engine that can run on electricity for up to 26 miles after charging it. This means you can enjoy driving without using gas for short trips!
Inside the CX-90, everything looks and feels fancy, with comfy leather seats and many excellent features that make it feel like a luxury SUV. It usually has enough seats for eight people, but if you choose special seats for the middle row, known as captain’s chairs, it has room for seven. These chairs are convenient if you have kids and need to get in and out of the back seats more easily.
If a hybrid isn’t what you’re looking for, Mazda also makes this SUV with a powerful turbocharged engine that doesn’t need to plug in to charge. But we’ll talk about that version another time.
Pros and Cons of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 Hybrid
Pros
- Eco-Friendly Power:Â With its plug-in hybrid setup, the CX-90 Hybrid combines strong performance with the ability to drive on electric power alone, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious drivers.
- Luxurious Interior:Â Premium materials and comfortable seating for up to eight passengers make every ride a pleasure.
- Advanced Safety Features:Â Equipped with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, the CX-90 Hybrid offers a comprehensive range of driver-assistance technologies as standard.
Cons
- Limited Electric Range:Â While useful for short trips, more than the 25-mile electric range might be needed for longer commutes without gasoline.
- No Free Maintenance:Â Unlike some competitors, the CX-90 Hybrid doesn’t have complimentary scheduled maintenance, which could add to ownership costs.
- Wireless Connectivity Limited to Higher Trims:Â Basic models miss out on the convenience of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
What’s New for 2024 CX-90 Hybrid?
A Fresh Face in the Family
The CX-90 Hybrid is Mazda’s latest addition, taking over from the CX-9. It’s designed to be the go-to SUV for families needing three rows of seats but looking for something more eco-friendly than the usual gas-only options.
Choosing Your CX-90 Hybrid
How Much Does It Cost?
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 Hybrid ranges from $51,320 to $58,825, depending on your chosen version. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Preferred: $51,320
- Premium: $55,775
- Premium Plus: $58,825
2024 CX-90 Hybrid Picking the Perfect Model
The base model of the CX-90 Hybrid already comes with lots of lovely things like leather seats, smart windshield wipers that can tell when it’s raining, a back door that opens by itself, controls to make the inside temperature just right for everyone, intelligent cruise control, and seats that warm up in the front. But if you ask us, the Premium model is where it’s at. It adds special seats in the second row that make getting in and out more accessible, a prominent sunroof, easy wireless setup for your phone’s maps and music, a fancy Bose sound system, radio from space (SiriusXM), and a spot to charge your phone without any wires.
2024 CX-90 Hybrid Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Power Meets Eco-Friendly
The CX-90 Hybrid has a robust engine setup with 323 horsepower, similar to Mazda’s use in the CX-60 SUV sold in Europe. It combines a regular four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a big battery. This means the CX-90 can drive using just electricity or with a mix of gas and electric power. All of these SUVs come with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive to ensure you have reasonable control no matter where you go.
Fun to Drive
When we took it out for a spin, we immediately noticed that this hybrid SUV has plenty of zip for driving around town or speeding up on the highway. It did better than the regular, non-hybrid CX-90 at our test track, zooming up to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. We enjoyed the sound of the gas engine—it’s louder and more fun than you might expect. Plus, driving on electric power alone is quiet and feels firm, like you’re gliding along without a care. Like other Mazdas, the CX-90 Hybrid handles turns and bumps in the road, making it fun to drive.
2024 CX-90 Hybrid Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Electric Adventures Await
According to the people who measure these things, the CX-90 Hybrid has a battery that lets you drive about 25 miles without using any gas. But guess what? When we tried it, we got to drive 26 miles! Charging it with a standard plug at home takes a long time, so it’s something you’ll do overnight. If you have a more robust plug, like the ones for big appliances, it can charge up most of the way in just 90 minutes.
Fuel Economy: Gas and Electric Together
Saving on Gas
The experts say this SUV should use about 24 miles per gallon of gas in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway when you’re not using the electric part. We took it for a drive on the road at 75 mph, and it ran on electric power alone for 26 miles before it needed to use gas. Over the whole test, it got the equivalent of 57 miles per gallon, which is good!
Inside the CX-90 Hybrid: Comfy and Classy
Room for Everyone
The CX-90 Hybrid isn’t just lovely to look at from the outside; inside, it’s got space for up to eight people to sit comfortably. Seven people can fit instead if you choose the exceptional captain’s chairs for the middle row. This option is great for families or anyone who likes more space between seats.
Fancy Touches
In the fancier versions of the CX-90 Hybrid, the dashboard is covered in a pretty fabric, and the seats are made of soft nappa leather, making the inside look and feel extra special. Even the starting model, the Preferred trim, looks perfect inside, even though it’s less fancy than the others.
Fun Tech and Easy Connections
Cool Screens for Everything
The CX-90 Hybrid has a big screen in the middle of the dashboard where you can control music and maps. Depending on the car model you pick, this screen might be 10.3 inches or even more prominent at 12.3 inches. You use a little wheel near your hand to make it work. Mazda made this system simple and easy to use. You can connect your phone with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to play your favourite songs or get directions. If you choose the fancier Premium or Premium Plus models, you can do this without wires!
For Music Lovers
Suppose you love listening to music in the car. In that case, the Premium and Premium Plus models have something special. This 12-speaker Bose stereo system makes everything sound amazing. Every CX-90 Hybrid has a fancy 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver, showing speed and other essential car info.
Keeping Safe on the Road
Safety Tools for the Drive
Every CX-90 comes with exceptional help to keep you safe, called i-Activsense. This includes a system that can automatically stop the car if it thinks you might hit something or someone. It watches your blind spots so you know if there’s a car there when you’re trying to change lanes. It also helps control your speed to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front on long drives. If you’re curious about how well the CX-90 does in crashes, you can look it up on the NHTSA and IIHS websites, where they test cars for safety.
What You Get with Your CX-90
Your Car’s Safety Net
Mazda gives you a set of warranties to protect your CX-90. However, one thing it doesn’t provide that some other cars, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Toyota Highlander Hybrid, do is provide free check-ups and maintenance. Here’s what you do get:
- A general warranty for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- A more extended warranty for the engine and moving parts for five years or 60,000 miles.
- A unique warranty for HD parts for eight years or 100,000 miles is available.
FAQs About the 2024 Mazda CX-90 Hybrid
Q: What’s the electric range of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 Hybrid?
A: The CX-90 Hybrid can travel up to 25 miles on electric power alone.
Q: How long does it take to charge the CX-90 Hybrid?
A: Charging from 20% to 80% takes about 90 minutes with a 240-volt charger.
Q: Can the CX-90 Hybrid accommodate eight passengers?
A: Yes, the CX-90 Hybrid seats eight, but opting for second-row captain’s chairs reduces the capacity to seven.
Q: Does Mazda offer a warranty for the CX-90 Hybrid?
A: Yes, Mazda provides a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and an eight-year/100,000-mile hybrid component warranty.
Conclusion
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 Hybrid is a strong contender in the plug-in hybrid SUV market, offering a blend of eco-friendly performance, luxury, and safety. Its refined interior and advanced safety features make it an attractive option for families and eco-conscious drivers alike. However, potential buyers should be aware of the limited electric range and the lack of complimentary maintenance, which some competitors offer. Overall, if you’re looking for a stylish, versatile, and environmentally friendly SUV, the CX-90 Hybrid deserves serious consideration. Its blend of Mazda’s driving dynamics with hybrid efficiency makes it a compelling choice for the modern driver.
