Let's Take a Look Inside the 2024 Mazda CX

Automotive journalists are used to sorting carmakers into two categories: affordable and luxury. But Mazda keeps making an argument for something that straddles the two. They’re building cars more affordable than the luxury automakers but too upscale to count as rivals to Fords or Nissans.

This is never more true than inside the cabin of the all-new 2024 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

It's the most expensive vehicle on the Mazda lot — a new flagship for the brand. As a three-row SUV able to travel up to 26 miles on electric power before its gasoline engine starts, it's the priciest thing on the Mazda lot. But a look at its list of features could convince you it's a bargain.

Mazda also sells a conventional gas-powered version, covered separately.

The CX-90 PHEV gets 323 horsepower from the combination of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Standard all-wheel drive gives it a planted feel. Kinematic Posture Control — a technology first developed for the tiny MX-5 Miata — applies subtle braking to the inside rear wheel when taking corners at a more enthusiastic pace, reducing body roll.

But the CX-90's best feature might be its cabin design. Let's take a look inside.

The CX-90 PHEV seats seven or eight, depending on the configuration you buy.

The driver gets an 8-way power adjustable seat at every trim level. The front seat passenger also gets power adjustments — four directions in the base Preferred model and eight in the Premium and Premium Plus trims.

Heated front seats are standard even at the lowest price point — Mazda treats the CX-90 as its standard-bearer, after all. In the Premium Plus model, they’re ventilated, too.

In the base model, the second row can be a bench or a pair of captain's chairs suitable for adults. Both higher trims get the captain's chairs as standard equipment. In top-end Premium Plus versions, they’re heated as well. Second-row passengers get retractable window shades.

The third row is a 3-person bench. It's a bit tight for adults, but that's normal in this class of vehicle.

All three rows get their own USB charging points.

In 2023, many new car designs lean too heavily on technology. Mazda designers have done well with the CX-90 PHEV, including most of the auto industry's favorite technologies in subtle ways. We’re not sure some of the tablet-on-a-dashboard looks of today's cars will age well. But the CX-90 PHEV's cabin almost certainly will.

The driver faces a display screen in place of old-fashioned gauges. A central screen handles entertainment and information functions; 10.25 inches on lower trim levels and 12.3 on the Premium Plus model.

Its operation is a little curious. Most functions are controlled through what Mazda calls the "multifunction commander controller." It's a BMW-style dial on the center console. But Apple CarPlay and Android Auto operate with touchscreen controls. It might take you a few days to get used to it.

CarPlay and Auto are wired in the base model but wireless in both higher trim levels.

Climate functions, thankfully, get old-fashioned tactile buttons. These days, that's a safety feature. There's no need to look away from the road to make adjustments.

The base model gets an 8-speaker audio system, but upper trims get a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system.

Each row of seats gets its own climate control — a nice luxury at an affordable price.

The difference between an adequate and a great car interior is a matter of style and material choices.

The cabin of the CX-90 PHEV looks like Mazda designers wanted to be remembered for their work on this one.

The ergonomics make sense. The screen is placed high, so the driver can see it without looking away from the road. Designers didn't try to get cute with the shifter; they just built a nice, conventional one where you expect to find it.

Even the base Preferred trim level gets leather-trimmed seats in the first and second rows. The high-end Premium Plus model gets supple Nappa leather, which is subject to additional softening steps in the tanning process.

There are no unusual color choices, just black and beige. But light-stained, straight-grain wood trim looks contemporary and elegant, whereas most wood trim is forgettable.

An elegant stitch horizontally dividing the dashboard is made with a weaving technique known as Kumihimo, a traditional stitch used in Japanese bookbinding.

Designers often have to steal cargo space to accommodate the large batteries of a PHEV. Mazda has done that with the CX-90 PHEV. But they haven't stolen much. Its measurements are almost the same as those of the non-hybrid CX-90.

They’re on the small end of typical for 3-row midsize SUVs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV offers 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats. Fold them down, and you’ll find 40.0 behind the second row. Fold those as well, and the space measures 74.2 cubic feet.

Build and price your own version of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV to see this week's Kelly Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or check out CX-90 PHEV models for sale near you.

See how the latest models measure up based on expert ratings from our Kelley Blue Book editors. See all Best Hybrid Rankings.

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