2024 Mazda CX90 Plug-In Hybrid Review
I’ve got a popular car on deck today, plus it’s got something brand new we have to talk about! The 2024 Mazda CX90 has been a car I’ve talked about many times, but now it’s transitioned to become a hybrid three row SUV. I know this is a huge rarity for a vehicle this size, but the question stands - is it family friendly?
If you’re new here - welcome! I’m Kelly the Car Mom and as a mom of almost four (if you missed the life update click here), CPST, and a huge car fan, I can’t wait to walk you through all the features of the 2025 Ford Explorer to help see if it’s right for your family.
Before you dive in and start car shopping, make sure you’re fully prepared to tackle today’s market with confidence. To learn everything from dealership prep to a complete negotiations strategy, check out my Car Buying Course!
2024 Mazda CX90 Overview
The Mazda CX 90 recently went through a huge overhaul. In fact, Mazda actually removed the CX9 and completely rebranded it to the CX90. This car is unique in the sense that Mazda takes an emphasis on technology and performance. As a whole, this manufacturer is almost what I would consider a boutique manufacturer. It's not necessarily a mass market, like you’d think with Ford or Toyota, and the price point reflects it.
The starting price of the 2024 Mazda CX90 plug-in hybrid comes in at $50,000, but I’ll be walking you through a CX90 with an MSRP of $58,000. This is an expensive price point for the midsize category, but you have the plug-in hybrid feature. This car has some pure electric range, you're looking at anywhere from 25 to 27 miles on pure EV range. It doesn't sound like a lot, but for those of you who have a short commute (15 to 20 miles a day), you could basically be operating this car like a pure electric vehicle.
I have a very detailed Mazda CX90 tour already on my channel, so if you want to check it out, click the link here.
2024 Mazda CX90 Exterior
Looking at the size of the CX90, it's technically on the smaller size for the midsize SUV category. Something like the Chevy Traverse or the Honda Pilot are the bigger ones in this category, with the CX90 reminding me a bit more of a Toyota Highlander in its size. You will definitely see where the spacing is lacking in the third row, but this is not a bad thing for those of you looking for a smaller three row vehicle.
As far as design is concerned, this vehicle is absolutely gorgeous. It looks identical to the all-gas 2024 Mazda CX90 I toured about six months ago, but we’ve got all that excellent electric power hidden inside.
2024 Mazda CX90 First Row
With the price point of the CX90 being higher than the average in its class, I expect some lux features in the front. I think the interior is very beautifully designed, specifically the contrast leather and wood trim. As for functionality, we’ve got an excellent driver seat door panel (it can fit my Stanley), but the center console is quite small for storage. Other than that, it’s a really comfortable first row that prioritizes the driving experience.
Infotainment System
The Mazda CX90's infotainment system is easy to use and stylish, featuring Apple CarPlay for seamless connectivity. However, when not using CarPlay, the touch screen disappears, and you must use a toggle instead. Climate control functions are separate for easy access, and this trim offers heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated seats for added comfort.
While the wireless charger is handy, the cup holders are small and may not fit larger items well. Their placement can also block part of the climate control panel, but other than that, the setup is fine.
2024 Mazda CX90 Second Row
Looking at the passenger experience in the CX90, I’m very comfortable. With ample legroom and good head clearance, even for adults, it's a great space to ride in. Amenities include: heated seats, USB-C ports, and rear vents on the back of the center console. However, ventilation could be improved, especially for rear-facing car seats, as the small vents may not provide enough airflow.
Car Seat Setup
In my original 2024 Mazda CX90 review, I focused on the second row as a whole, but I want to showcase how rear facing car seats work back here, since it can be a little difficult to maneuver. I'm not saying that's a deal breaker, but I'm saying if you have kids in rear facing seats there's definitely going to be some car seats you're going to want to avoid.
For car seat hardware in the second row, the captain's chairs have lower anchors and tether anchors in both seats. In the third row, there is one seat with lower anchors, and tether anchors are across the back. Rear-facing car seats, especially those in the smaller SUV category, can be challenging to fit back here. Different car seats may have varying clearance levels. For example, the Britax Boulevard gives only a few inches of clearance, while the Evenflo 360 Slim takes up more space, potentially limiting the front passenger's legroom.
For this second row specifically, I’d highly recommend a slim car seat to get that extra room you’re looking for without compromising on a vehicle you like. To see a complete breakdown of the best car seats for this, read my Slimmest Car Seats For Family Vehicles post.
2024 Mazda CX90 Third Row
What I'm finding a little confusing about the Mazda CX90 is depending on trim and powertrain level, it will determine if you have two or three seats in the third row. In the previous CX90, I only had two seats in the third row. This is my preference because I find you get two comfortable seats versus three uncomfortable seats that normally end up with somebody sitting on a buckle.
In this particular CX90, it has the captain chairs and three seats in the third row. I tried to find the information on their website and it's very unclear to me which third row you can get, so just something to be aware of as you're shopping.
Let's talk about third row access. The Mazda CX90 utilizes what I call the Tilt and Slide, so it's not the kind of seat where you could have a car seat installed in the second row and go back there.
When I go to my third row with the three seats, I think it’s so weird we have three seats. As far as hardware is concerned, there is one seat with lower anchors and then tether anchors across the back. With the second row seat pushed all the way back (because I have that big rear-facing car seat) this would never work for a passenger or even a car seat. Any forward- facing child seats would be basically pressed against which is a huge no for any proper installation.
The one good thing about the seats back here is that they are fairly deep. A lot of times third row seating is very shallow, which makes it really difficult for car seat installation. This makes a car seat much more feasible back here, but I still think it will be really tough.
2024 Mazda CX90 Trunk
The last time I put the CX90 trunk to the test, I brought my Mockingbird stroller with me and was not able to fit it. I wanted to give this trunk the benefit of the doubt and brought a more compact stroller - the Baby Jogger. It’s significantly smaller, but I was able to fit it just fine. Overall, the trunk space isn’t terrible and strollers can be difficult to fit sometimes (they’re really clunky), but we are working with some limited space back here.
Finally, I wanted to note the third row seats are very easy to push down completely. I can’t ever get on board with the powered third row, so the push-and-pull system works just fine for me back here.
2024 Mazda CX90 Wrap Up
Overall, I’ve always liked the Mazda CX90 and I think a three-row hybrid SUV is something really unique to add into the lineup. Due to its size, the third row and trunk space are quite small, so this makes it difficult to install rear-facing car seats and be able to use that room. If you’re considering the CX90, I highly recommend a thorough test drive with your car seats to see if it could work for your family.
To see a complete walkthrough of the 2024 Mazda CX90, check out my car tour here.
What do you think of the hybrid Mazda CX90? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with the latest family vehicles on the market, check out my latest reviews:
