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There’s a moment, buried somewhere between the third-row seat and the 25-mile electric range, where the 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV reveals its true self.
It happens when you flick the drive selector to Sport, feel the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine wake up, and realize this three-row plug-in hybrid, loaded down with car seats and groceries, still cares about how it drives.
Not how it scores in efficiency spreadsheets or how much it can tow on paper, but how it feels. Mazda, as ever, builds cars for people who simply enjoy the act of driving, even if they happen to have two kids in the back and a charging cable in the garage.
This particular CX-90 belongs to Reddit user macatkniu, who recently posted a 2,500-mile ownership review on r/MazdaCX90. What he described wasn’t just a product summary, but a testament to the vehicle’s dual nature. He raved about the design, often washing it simply to admire the lines.
“Just thought I’d share my experience for those on the fence…
What I love:
The looks. I find myself washing it often because I just love to look at it.
The comfort. I have found the seats to be extremely comfortable and the seat cooling BLOWS my previous 2019 Pilot seat coolers out of the water.
The drive. After first test-driving this, I was underwhelmed, but I didn’t understand how to utilize the different modes. EV is slow but smooth. Regular drive is just ok. Sport mode is awesome! When I don’t mind burning a little more gas, I drop it into sport and it’s fun to drive.
Sound system. I have found the Bose speakers to have plenty of punch. I love my music loud, and it delivers plenty.
What I don’t love:
The space. It’s not great, and it’s documented, but it’s just enough for my family of four and two smaller children. I will say this, I’ve learned not to be a pack rat, as there is basically no middle console room and compartments.
Lack of cup holders. Not a huge thing, but I don’t love the flip-up cup holders in the back, and the front-most cup holder is super close to the dash, so a tall cup kind of gets in the way.
Charge time. This one is on me because I can’t justify the cost of a level 2 charger just yet, but it takes ~12 hours to get a 100% charge.
EV miles. Again, I knew what was getting into with the ~25 miles of EV, but I guess I didn’t realize how fast they get eaten up… and I hear in the Michigan winter it’s going to go way down.
Overall, to me, the pros far outweigh the cons, and I’m really enjoying everything about it! And no, this is not a paid sponsorship, but I’ll take donations @Mazda”
He praised the comfort, the cooled seats, and the Bose stereo’s volume prowess. More importantly, he discovered the same thing anyone who cares about steering feel and chassis balance will find: that Sport mode transforms this 5,000-pound family hauler into something surprisingly eager. The fun doesn’t just exist; it’s engineered into the car, whether you’re looking for it or not.
When the industry rushes toward appliance-grade transport, Mazda quietly builds rear-biased platforms and lets you row gears in their Miata. The CX-90 is the result of that same contrarian mindset applied to the family-SUV formula. It’s not the biggest, the fastest, or the most advanced. But it’s arguably the most soulful. Even the plug-in hybrid drivetrain doesn’t feel like a checkbox to please regulators; it’s a system with personality. In EV mode, it glides quietly, efficiently. In Sport, it plays a different tune entirely, using the gas engine like a conductor calling the brass section to life.
Mazda’s Premium Introduction
- The CX‑90 marks Mazda’s bold step into the premium three-row mid‑size SUV segment, offering seating for up to 8 passengers with elegant Japanese craftsmanship touches.
- It offers two hybrid flavors, inline‑six M‑Hybrid (340 hp) or PHEV (323 hp, 17.8 kWh battery, ~25 mi EV range).
- Up to 5,000 lb towing capability on the I‑6 variant, making it both family- and adventure-friendly.
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+, with superior crash prevention and child seat performance.
That said, Mazda’s noble intentions run headfirst into the limits of physics and consumer reality. The 17.8 kWh battery offers about 25 miles of electric range, and as macatkniu notes, those miles disappear quickly, particularly with a heavy right foot or during Michigan’s infamous winters.
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Charging via a standard 120V wall outlet takes around 12 hours, which, as another user put it, “feels crazy” for the return on investment. Yes, you can install a Level 2 charger, and yes, many utilities offer rebates, but the economics remain murky for owners who don’t drive purely electric most of the time.
There are other compromises, too. The interior space, though elegantly designed, is not cavernous. Mazda has always leaned toward thoughtful design over sheer volume, and it shows. Storage nooks are minimal. These aren’t dealbreakers, just reminders that the CX-90 prioritizes driving character over maximum cargo configurations.
As one commenter pointed out, the gauge cluster lacks configurability, the gearbox could use some smoothing, and the sensor software can feel half a generation behind. These are the kinds of gripes that only come from people who care.
Who Does Mazda Build Cars For?
Mazda builds cars that are almost stubbornly honest in what they aim to be.
The CX-90 doesn’t hide behind gimmicks or outrageous tech. It isn’t trying to out-Tesla Tesla or pretend it’s a track-day monster. It’s a family car for someone who still thinks apexes matter. It’s not a driver’s car trapped in a crossover’s body; it’s a driver’s crossover, by deliberate design. You learn to live with its quirks the same way you learn the nuances of a favorite pair of boots. There may be flashier options, but few are this involving.
What makes the CX-90 different from the CX-5 isn’t that it’s perfect; it’s that it gets under your skin. As Macatkniu said in his post, he was underwhelmed during the test drive but grew to love the car after learning its drive modes and tendencies. That’s classic Mazda. The vehicles don’t beg for your attention with instant gratification. They earn it over time. You don’t just use them, you relate to them. In a world where most crossovers exist to be forgotten, the CX-90 sticks with you.
Mazda CX-90 Brand Ambitions For Mazda
- Luxury cabin with features like Nappa leather, 360° camera, captain’s chairs, and panoramic roof (varies by trim).
- Real-world feedback shows the PHEV model achieves 50 MPGe regularly, all while hauling a full complement of passengers.
- Positioned as Mazda’s move toward premium branding, aligned with their ambition to become a luxury contender by 2030.
So yes, 25 miles of EV range isn’t much, and waiting half a day for a full charge off a standard outlet can feel like watching paint dry. But in return, you get something that feels engineered for the driver, not just the spec sheet. You get a vehicle that makes washing it by hand on a Saturday morning feel like a privilege, not a chore. And that, in today’s market of soulless utility, is worth the occasional cupholder gripe and a long overnight charge.
It won’t win every category on the spreadsheet, but it wins where it counts, in the seat, in the hands, and on the road. And that’s a victory few automakers still bother chasing.
Image Sources: Mazda Media Center
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.
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Source: torquenews.com
