The midsize CX-90 rides on Mazda’s rear-biased i-Activ AWD platform with a longitudinal inline-6, an eight-speed automatic using a multi-plate wet clutch for more direct shifts, and Kinematic Posture Control that keeps the body flat through corners.
Enthusiasts will be happy to know that excellent foundation carries over to 2026 unchanged. What’s different is how much premium equipment Mazda has moved into the mid-range trims, making the CX-90 a stronger value across the lineup.
Powertrains
The turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-6 produces 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque on regular 87-octane fuel. A 48-volt M-Hybrid Boost motor sits between the engine and transmission, filling in low-end torque so throttle response feels immediate from a standstill. Combined fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 25 mpg. The Turbo S models use a high-output tune of the same engine: 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft on 93-octane premium.
The PHEV combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a 68-kW electric motor and a 17.8-kWh battery for 323 combined horsepower and 369 lb-ft. Electric-only range reaches up to 27 miles, enough for most daily driving around Kalamazoo without starting the gasoline engine. Charge Mode rebuilds battery reserves on the highway so you have EV range available when you reach town. The total combined range is about 500 miles.
Inline-6 Trim Highlights
The Turbo Select is the entry point, with eight-passenger seating, leatherette, a power liftgate, and Alexa Built-in for 2026, which adds natural voice control for climate, audio, navigation, and smart home devices.
The Turbo Preferred sees the largest upgrade this year. Mazda added ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a power passenger seat, and two-position driver’s seat memory. In 2025, most of those features required a higher trim. For Michigan’s winters and warm summers, having seat ventilation and heating at this level makes a real difference in daily comfort.
The Turbo Premium Sport carries 21-inch dark-finish wheels, a gloss black grille, blacked-out badges (including new blacked-out Mazda logos for 2026), and auto-dimming power-folding mirrors. Towing capacity reaches 5,000 lbs with Mi-Drive Towing mode and Mazda’s genuine towing accessories, enough for a mid-size boat headed to Gull Lake. A Bose 12-speaker audio system and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster are included.
The Turbo Premium Plus now offers a choice between second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Previous versions of this trim focused on seven-passenger layouts, so eight-passenger capacity paired with Nappa leather and the 360° View Monitor with See-Through View is a new option for 2026.
At the top, the Turbo S Premium Sport is new for 2026, pairing the 340-hp engine with the full blackout exterior. The Turbo S Premium Plus remains the flagship, with Nappa leather available in Black or White Japanese Premium options.
PHEV Trim Highlights
Every 2026 CX-90 PHEV rides on 21-inch wheels as standard, up from the 19-inch set on the 2025 Preferred. The visual difference is noticeable, and the larger wheel-and-tire package contributes to more consistent handling.
The PHEV Preferred now includes ventilated front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and driver’s seat memory. The cabin treatment matches the sophistication of the powertrain from the entry trim.
From the Premium Sport trim up, PHEV models include a 1,500-watt accessory outlet that draws from the traction battery, useful for running tools or appliances without a separate generator. The PHEV Premium Plus adds Front Cross Traffic Alert and the 360° View Monitor with See-Through View.
Technology and Safety
Alexa Built-in is standard on every 2026 CX-90, providing voice control for vehicle functions, music, weather, directions, and compatible smart home devices.
From the Preferred trim up, a 12.3-inch center touchscreen handles Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the commander knob still available for Mazda Connect menus. Wireless phone charging is standard at this level.
Every CX-90 includes Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop-and-go, Smart Brake Support (automatic emergency braking for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists), Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and lane-keep assist. Premium Sport and Premium Plus trims add Cruising & Traffic Support for semi-autonomous highway driving, Emergency Lane Keeping with Blind Spot Assist, and Head-on Traffic Avoidance Assist.
Exterior Updates
Polymetal Gray Metallic joins the 2026 palette. The color shifts between a flat gray in shade and a blue-gray metallic in direct sunlight, and it sits alongside Artisan Red, Soul Red Crystal, and Rhodium White in the premium paint options.
The Sport exterior package, with its darker trim and blacked-out badges, now extends to the Turbo S Premium Sport, giving buyers who want the high-output engine a more aggressive aesthetic option.
See the 2026 CX-90 in Kalamazoo
Whether you’re considering the inline-6 or the PHEV, the 2026 CX-90 brings more standard equipment into the trims where most buyers shop. Stop by our Kalamazoo showroom and we’ll walk you through the differences in person.
Connect with us
