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Every once in a while I get to try out a new car and determine if it’s road trip ready. Recently I partnered with Mazda to try out the Mazda CX-90 PHEV. PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. I’ll tell you more about our Mazda CX-90 road trip later in the article.
Because I road trip, a lot, I was excited to see how an EV handled long drives. With the PHEV, it has both gas and electric offering the best of both worlds.
I flew into Detroit and picked up the loaner vehicle. I drove the CX-90 from Detroit to my hometown of Muskegon, as well as up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline researching future road tripping content.
I was also able to test drive the SUV to Traverse City, Michigan for a girls’ trip celebration with my best friends of over 30 years.
The Mazda CX-90 is a comfortable SUV. It was a no-brainer when it came to deciding who was driving to Traverse City for this road trip. (Hint: It was me!)
If you’re looking for a comfortable ride for longer road trips, and still want something that’s friendly on the gas budget for everyday use, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV just might be the car for you. I’ll cover the pros and cons of a Mazda CX-90 road trip, the features of a plug-in electric hybrid, and just my overall thoughts on the comfort of the interior and the sleek look of the exterior.
Let’s get get going.
Pros and Cons of a PHEV for Road Trippers
Before we dive into the details of the Mazda CX-90 PHEV, let’s talk about the pros and cons of an EV for a road trip. This is a travel and road trip website after all!
Pros
The main advantage of any electric or hybrid vehicle is the savings on gas. With the impressive fuel efficiency of the plug-in hybrid option, a PHEV uses only electricity on short drives.
As a road tripper, this is great when you are exploring the city or taking short day trips in between charges.
Depending on where you charge the vehicle, the cost savings are beneficial. For instance, some parking garages and hotels offer free plug-in options, thereby costing you nothing to bring your car back up to a full charge.
Other options include paying to charge at a charging station. This could be by minute or by kWh. Depending on the rate at the charging station, it can be comparable to what you pay at the pump. This article gives some great examples of what it costs to charge at home versus public charging stations.
A neat pro of the Mazda CS-90 PHEV is the charge mode while driving. Activated by a button on the center console, this mode will keep the gas engine engaged and prioritize charging the PHEV battery. This can fully charge the battery using the engine as a generator.
The process of charging the EV was easy in the CX-90. Simply open the charging port and snap the charger into place.
Cons
The main disadvantage of any electric vehicle is finding a place to charge it in order to take advantage of that savings.
The electric-only range on a PHEV is often 50 miles or less. For longer trips, this runs out fast. However, I’ve found that the fuel efficiency when on gasoline is higher at around 28 mpg, making this at or above other vehicles on the road.
The time to get to a full charge can vary based on what type of charging station you’re using. At home, with a standard plug, it could take overnight. At a public charging station, free or paid, the Mazda CX-90 would take about 2 to 2 and a half hours. Once you’ve road-tripped into the city, this may not be a con if you’re charging at the hotel or in a parking garage while you’re out exploring.
All in all, I do think a plug-in electric hybrid offers the best of both worlds. You’re getting fuel efficiency at your destination and the driving distance of gasoline for the long-haul road trips.
Catch my tips on how to plan a road trip with a hybrid car here.
Road Trip Specific Features
Before detailing the exterior and interior of the Mazda CX-90 PHEV, let’s talk specifically about what makes it road trip ready.
Safety features
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Windshield wiper sensors
- Smart bright lights/hi-beams
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane assist
- Smart brake support
Navigation
- Larger display
- Connects to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
- See Through View Monitor
Let’s talk about this See-Through View monitor. Essentially, your speed, the speed limit, and navigation are mirrored onto the windshield. This transparent view keeps your eyes on the road without having to drop your eyes to the dash or navigation. My friend called it the Heads Up Display and it’s my favorite new road trip feature.
Family Friendly Features
Why should only the front-row passengers enjoy heated seats? In the configuration of the CX-90 I had, the second row featured heated captain-style seats as well. I can tell you my teenagers would enjoy that on a chilly day. Truthfully, I enjoy heated seats in the summer. I crank the AC and soothe my back at the same time!
Additional family-friendly features include rear temperature control, USB-C charging ports, a power outlet for charging non-USB devices, and upgraded interior lighting.
Charging a PHEV
This is often a common concern for road trippers, especially if you’re traveling long distances. However, I found that locating charging stations was a lot easier than I had anticipated. Both Google Maps and Apple Maps list charging stations.
Simply search for charging stations and you’ll find red (Google) or green (Apple) indicators on your map.
Keep in mind some are free and others are pay per minute or kWh.
Exterior
The Mazda CX-90 boasts a sleek and sophisticated exterior design. It has an elegant, streamlined silhouette and contoured body.
The CX-90 also includes thoughtful details that appeal to road trippers. Its high ground clearance helps tackle a variety of road conditions, from smooth highways to more rugged back roads, making it versatile for different travel environments.
The large windows and side mirrors enhance visibility, which is a significant plus for long-haul drives.
The large sun roof was perfect for enjoying even more views of the fall colors on my road trip up north with my girlfriends.
Overall, for an SUV, I’d say the Mazda CX-90 has a sporty and modern look.
Interior
The Mazda CX-90 offers a spacious cabin that blends comfort with functionality—perfect for the long hours spent on the road.
Mazda has crafted the interior with high-quality materials, including soft-touch surfaces and available leather seating, giving it a premium feel. I fell in love with the cream-colored leather interior and elegant dash paneling.
For those traveling with family or friends, the CX-90 offers ample seating space, comfortably accommodating up to seven passengers with its three-row configuration. Our family would enjoy the second-row captain’s chairs over bench seating, allowing each of my teen children to stretch and recline independently.
The seats provide good support and cushioning, ideal for extended trips, and can be configured to create more cargo space if needed.
With a full seating configuration, the rear storage is limited. If you had a family of 5 or more, you may need to consider a roof rack or hitch storage for more luggage.
For a family of 4 and the third row reclined, it has ample storage for luggage and a cooler, necessary for a long road trip.
In terms of technology, the CX-90 does not disappoint. The infotainment system, accessible through a large central display, supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless connectivity.
For electronic devices, you’ll find mag-safe wireless charging in the center and USB-C charging ports throughout. If you have Apple iPhone 14 or older, you’ll need a converter cord to charge your device.
Pros and Cons of the Mazda CX-90 PHEV
Overall, I truly enjoyed my ride in the Mazda CX-90 PHEV. I can see how this would be a road trip vehicle that would fit my family well.
Here are a few of my personal pros and cons.
Pros
Spacious and Comfortable Interior: With ample legroom, headroom, and versatile seating options, it’s ideal for family road trips or for bringing friends along comfortably.
Advanced Tech and Infotainment: Features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a high-quality sound system enhance the in-car entertainment experience for passengers.
Impressive Fuel Efficiency with Plug-In Hybrid Option: The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model offers solid gas mileage and an electric-only mode for shorter drives, which is great for road-trippers looking to save on fuel.
Smooth, Stable Handling: The CX-90 is steady and comfortable on highways and provides a smooth ride even on winding or uneven roads.
Road-Trip-Friendly Safety Features: Equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and other driver-assistance features that make long drives safer and reduce driver fatigue.
Cons
Cargo Space Limited with All Seats in Use: If all three rows are in use, cargo space may feel limited, which could be a drawback for larger families or groups bringing significant luggage.
Charging Infrastructure Needed: For road trippers relying heavily on the PHEV’s electric mode, charging infrastructure can be a limitation in more remote areas.
Wrapping it Up
The Mazda CX-90 was a highly enjoyable ride and I fully expect to look into one the next time I’m in the market for a vehicle.
I think the option of having both an electric and gas option makes it easy to take advantage of both features and get the maximum enjoyment, mileage, and eco-friendly options out of a road trip.
If you want more road trip advice:
