If you've looked at some of the new cars on the market, you've probably realized that many average car brands like Toyota or Kia are designing vehicles with premium features. In the early 2000s leading up to around 2015, if the model wasn't classified as a luxury car, you wouldn't see too many of them rivaling premium vehicles. Times have changed, and over the last five years, various brands have started to offer cars that could represent a luxury badge.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are one of the most evolving car platforms, and with new systems and tech being put into place month after month, it isn't too surprising that they come jam-packed with premium features. Much like electric vehicles (EVs), you'll see futuristic designs and sleek interiors on plug-in hybrids. Plenty of non-luxury car brands are dabbling in the plug-in hybrid industry, and one manufacturer comes close to Lexus' iconic luxury.

Around 2015, Mazda started to revamp the entirety of its lineup, pulling in sporty designs on the exterior and interior. The Mazda 3 and its third generation back in 2014 was one of the first models to demonstrate Mazda's new look, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. Mazda isn't the only car brand that has not been held back by the times. Toyota went a similar route, revamping its catalog with themes centered around convenience, adventure, sport, and comfort. Unlike Toyota, Mazda didn't go down the hybrid route; well, they did but didn't. Toyota opted to focus primarily on hybrids (HEVs), whereas Mazda took a liking to plug-in hybrids.

Without straying too far, the brief introduction of Mazda's premium look stems back from 2015, and it can now be seen that Mazda's premium designs evolved even further in models like the CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid. Mazda comes close to luxury when diving into this three-row plug-in hybrid SUV, and it seems like an overall steal. If you can't afford luxury models like the plug-in hybrids from Lexus' lineup, the CX-90 PHEV is a great alternative, and you likely wouldn't even look back.

The main point is that the CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid feels like a luxury Lexus without the price tag. Not yet jumping into its designs and features, it's best to look at the prices to see how much you save when committing to the CX-90 PHEV. Mazda starts the CX-90 PHEV out at $50,695 for the base model. That's a steep price, but no one said it was going to be the most affordable plug-in hybrid.

Still, you'll see significant price changes when looking at Lexus, with their most affordable plug-in hybrid, the NX PHEV, starting at $59,505 for its base. That's $9,000 more expensive and continues to rise for the other two models. The 2026 Lexus RX PHEV carries an MSRP of $66,780, and, as stated several times, that's just for the starting trim. Lastly, the most expensive plug-in hybrid in Lexus' lineup is the TX PHEV, which costs $82,160.

Ironically enough, if you were to opt for any trim on the 2026 CX-90 PHEV, you would still save money over all three Lexus plug-in hybrids. It's not one of the cases either where the base model is the most affordable but lacks in features. The Preferred comes with excellent standard features, but you'll see them in a minute. Just looking at the prices, the middle trim is the Premium Sport and starts at $54,900.

Without spoiling too much, this trim builds off the base model and receives various upgrades. The last trim is the Premium Plus, and as you can imagine, this setup comes with all the bells and whistles. While it's the most expensive variant of the CX-90 PHEV, it only reaches $57,950 for its price tag.

Mazda has done a great job when it comes to designs. Whoever is behind the exterior and interior designs deserves a raise, but for now, a gesture of hat-tipping will suffice. While they nail the outside designs on a variety of their models, especially the CX-90 PHEV, it's the interior that steals the show. You can't say that an SUV comes close to Lexus' luxury without it coming with a premium interior. The good news is that the CX-90 PHEV is in the clear because, while it's not classified as a luxury SUV, it could be passed off as one with its standard features, design, and comfort.

The CX-90 PHEV isn't the most expensive plug-in hybrid in Mazda's lineup. Surprisingly, that goes to its sibling, the CX-70 Plug-In Hybrid. The CX-70 PHEV capitalizes on cargo capacity, while both models utilize its interior space to accommodate passengers. The main difference between the two is the seating capacity, with the CX-90 PHEV offering up to eight seats. This plug-in hybrid SUV is excellent for families and comes with a respectable amount of passenger space.

When it comes to headroom, you'll receive 38.2 to 39.6 inches in the front, 38.4 to 38.6 inches in the middle, and 36.9 inches in the third row. The headroom varies on the first two rows because the moonroof limits the headspace ever so slightly. For the legroom, the CX-90 PHEV provides 41.7 inches in the front row, 41.7 inches in the middle row, and 30.4 inches in the last row.

All in all, the 2026 CX-90 PHEV carries a passenger volume of 166.3 cubic feet and an interior volume of 181.2 cubic feet. While the CX-70 PHEV offers more cargo space, the CX-90 isn't a slouch, providing an impressive 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum cargo capacity of 74.2 cubic feet with the last two rows folded down.

The CX-90 Plug-In is offered with a variety of standard features, and it's best to explore them by each trim. The Preferred trim is the base and sets the bar high for the higher trims. You'll receive three-zone climate control, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, an illuminated entry system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leather-trimmed seating in the first and second rows; The list goes on. The next trim is the Premium, which carries over all the features of the base model. If you want to hear more features that both trims receive, some include heated front seats, second-row retractable window shaders, and front door courtesy lights.

The unique features of the middle trim include front and rear door courtesy lights, auto speed limit assist, and second-row captain chairs with armrests. The last trim is the Premium Plus, which houses every feature the CX-90 PHEV has to offer. The second-row seating now offers heating, along with the front row being ventilated seats, which, speaking of both, the first two rows now boast Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery. The features are practically endless, but it looks to be on par with a modern-day Lexus.

With refined interiors that carry themes of comfort, sport, and style, the last area to look at is technology. Located at the front, the 12.3-inch center display offers navigation and multimedia systems along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. This display also acts as a 360-degree monitor with the exterior cameras to show your surroundings. The CX-90 PHEV keeps everyone online, providing USB-C ports in each row. Arguably, one of the best features of the CX-90 PHEV is Mazda's iActivesense safety system, which houses a wide array of driving aids. Some of the driving aids include Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, and many others.

A perfect blend of efficiency, tech, and versatility, this mid-size hybrid SUV redefines what drivers expect from a 2025 model.

The last area to dive into is the CX-90's plug-in hybrid engine. Plug-in Hybrids are known to be sleepers in the car world, receiving some extra "juice" from the batteries, which allows for some added performance. This is the case with the 2026 CX-90's 17.8-kWh battery, which backs up Mazda's motto of "Zoom-Zoom." This three-row plug-in hybrid SUV is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard in all-wheel drive along with an eight-speed automatic.

2.5-Liter e-SKYACTIV-G Four-Cylinder Plug-In Hybrid Engine

Level 1 (120v): 6 Hours and 40 Minutes

Level 2 (240v): 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

One of the underrated features of the CX-90 PHEV is its maximum towing capacity, which came out to an impressive 3,500 pounds. Lastly, since it's a plug-in, the batteries need to be charged, and it takes around an hour and a half to six hours and forty minutes, depending on whether you opt for a Level 1 or Level 2 charge.

If you're buying a plug-in hybrid, you're likely trying to capitalize on some added efficiency. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV won't let you down in that department, offering a combined fuel economy of 56 MPGe. For its overall driving range, it tops out at 490 miles while providing a fully electric driving range of 26 miles.

Cost To Drive 25 Miles (Single Charge)

If you're curious about fuel costs on the CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid, it costs $2.23 to drive 25 miles while on a single charge, and almost doubles on gas only, totaling to $4.09. Lastly, the annual fuel cost of the 2026 CX-90 PHEV is $1,850.

Source: https://www.topspeed.com/plug-in-hybrid-feels-like-lexus-without-the-price-tag/