2024 Mazda CX-90 vs. CX-90 PHEV

An SUV is more than just a vehicle that gets you places, it’s a whole experience that transforms the journey in between. Making headway in the three-row SUV market, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV are two wonderful options that can easily fit everyone along for the ride. Ready to learn more about these two SUVs and explore their differences? Keep on reading.

2024 Mazda CX-90

Engineered to fit your lifestyle, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is a class-leading three-row SUV that can comfortably fit you, your passengers, and all your things. This spacious SUV has a second-row bench seat or dual captain’s chairs option, allowing you to customize your interior to best fit your crew’s needs. The thoughtful design of the CX-90 is evident in its clean and modern design that speaks to its Japanese craftsmanship. Other available features in this luxurious ride include a panoramic moonroof, leather seating materials, and a deep red exterior paint.

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV takes all the amazing features of its gas-powered twin and puts a plug-in hybrid electric motor in it. Taking you off the beaten path is the rear-biased i-Activ AWD that easily manages terrain and changing driving patterns to navigate you through a wide variety of road conditions.

Key Differences

While there are many similar features between these two beautiful SUVs,  there are some key differences to take note of. This can help you narrow down which SUV might be the right fit for you, your family, and your lifestyle. Here’s more about the quintessential differences of these SUVs:

Powertrain

There are two engine choices for the gas-powered CX-90. The first is a 280-horsepower e-SKYACTIV-G 3.3-liter turbo inline-six engine. This powertrain equates to an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, with a combined rating of 25 mpg. If you want the more premium engine, you’ll have to splurge on premium unleaded fuel to get up to 340 horsepower. This engine boasts the same highway and combined fuel rating but gets just one less average mile per gallon in the city.

Switching over to the plug-in hybrid, the powertrain under the hood is a 2.5-liter e-SKYACTIV PHEV engine. The gas motor pairs seamlessly with a 68-kW electric motor that delivers 323 horsepower. If you just rely on the gas engine to get you places, you can expect a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. With the electric motor helping things along, you can get a combined fuel economy of 56 mpge.

Price

Rather than droll on about the different price points, here’s a breakdown of each trim’s starting MSRP:

2024 Mazda CX-90

• Turbo Select: $37,845.
• Turbo Preferred: $40,445.
• Turbo Preferred Plus: $42,900.
• Turbo Premium: $45,900.
• Turbo Premium Plus: $48,900.
• Turbo S: $49,850.
• Turbo S Premium: $52,450.
• Turbo S Premium Plus: $55,950.

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV

• Preferred: $49,945.
• Premium: $54,400.
• Premium Plus: $57,450.

Incentives

One key advantage of buying the plug-in hybrid CX-90 is the access to unique incentives, rebates, and other cost-saving programs. This can help you save more when buying your new SUV. For example, if you buy a brand-new plug-in hybrid vehicle, you might get a tax credit of up to $7,500. Some states also offer additional tax incentives to buy an electric vehicle over a purely gas one. If you install an at-home charger, some states and electric companies also offer rebates to help offset electricity expenses.

Towing Capacity

Another big difference between the two SUVs is their towing capacities. The PHEV model can tow up to 3,500 pounds no matter which trim you choose. This still means you can do some light-duty towing, like hauling your dirt bikes out to the trail or the pop-up camper to your favorite overlook. The towing capacity of the CX-90 starts at 3,500 pounds but increases up to 5,000 pounds with higher-end trims. While a 1,500-pound difference isn’t a massive amount, if you plan to lug around heavier items like a fully-loaded toy hauler to travel trailer, the gas-powered variant might be the way to go.

Trims

In short, the CX-90 has more trims to choose from with a total of eight packages in the lineup. The PHEV model has three total variants but still packs many luxury features that are shared across both models.

How To Choose the Right Compact SUV

There are many factors to consider that can help you choose between these two SUVs. Each offers its unique benefits, all wrapped up in a similar package, making the details of utmost importance when it comes to narrowing down your choice. Price and lifestyle are two of the main factors to consider when looking to buy a new car.

For example, if you want to take advantage of unique tax advantages to help you save even more on a new car or if you want have have a different impact on the environment, then the CX-90 PHEV might be the perfect option for you. If you’d like to haul heavier loads on your next adventure or would rather not wait at a charging station to power up your vehicle, then the gas-powered CX-90 might be the perfect fit. Either way, you can’t go wrong with the versatile CX-90 or CX-90 PHEV three-row SUVs.

Ready To Get Behind the Wheel?

Both the CX-90 and the CX-90 PHEV are attractive options in the three-row SUV market. Each offers plush features like leather seating, spacious cargo areas, and ample driver assistance safety features. Capistrano Mazda understands how important a new vehicle purchase can be and we would be happy to put a test drive for you on the books so you can get a real-world feel for these SUVs. Whether you have additional questions or are ready to start the financing process, our team of experts is here to help. We look forward to helping you find the perfect SUV soon.