A CORRECTION TO THIS VIDEO since I gripe about it and TH-cam doesn't allow changes once it's up. There IS a menu setting that allows CarPlay to be used with the touchscreen while driving. The Mazda Connect interface is not touchscreen whether driving or parked. And for those wondering, there is a high and low recuperation drag setting in the menu.
Good to know regen is adjustable. And good points on the PHEV being a good compromise. One thing BEV folks bring up a lot is the ICE is difficult to maintain. In PHEVs it's usually very underutilized since the electric motor/generator takes the brunt of the acceleration forces, the ICE just operates in the most efficient region, if it is being used at all. In my gen 2 Volt, I have over 135k km on the car and only a touch over 13k km in hybrid mode so yeah I can count on one hand how many oil changes I've had to do since I owned it. Batteries still hold >90% charge too so the frequent battery cycling a lot of folks talk about for PHEVs isn't an issue, at least with the temperature conditioned batteries in the Volt.
I was just coming in here to correct you regarding the phone projection touch screen capabilities. I suspected you’d have caught the error quickly. Your reviews are terrific.
tom, why couldn't you pin a video/information correction statement to the top of comments instead of wiping out the first upload? we understand errors can be made. I think a correction statement is all that's needed. 👍
Thanks Tom... Lack of touchscreen for Android Auto was a red light for me. I am glad you pinned the corection. (I have been driving a Kia Sportage HEV for the last several weeks in Ireland and am loving it - except for lack of a radio volume knob, of course. Human interface matters!!! 😀)
Dang. I hardly make this much from TH-cam on a video! Thanks marketdifferent. This is indeed a Super Thanks. And hope there are more vehicles available when your lease ends in July.
I've been driving my new cx90 phev now for 3 months... First off, it's an amazing vehicle drives great takes corners with a breeze, I drive it every day in town and been on 100% electric since I bought it.... Saving $$$... I can't say enough of this SUV.... My only gripe is, I would of loved to have the seat with an optional extension for the thigs.... But other than that I'm giving a 9.8 out of 10.... Fun to drive every day
@4:58 "Isn't it great when things work together? Don't you wish humans did that more?" Yes, indeed. Thank you for another great review and your trademark thoughtful musings.
Tom, I love your logic and realistic perspective. Such as the math problem you solved with regards to the CX 90 EV range over a period of a year. So many car reviewers and definitely the majority of those that post in the comments lack both traits.
Barbie was hilarious! I own a Mazda after having four Hondas and it is definitely a step up in the interior and handling. I’m waiting for the CX70! This one is way too big for my needs.
You said something that is true: near luxury car makers doesn’t do well in the US. For example, Acura, Lexus, Infinity, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick and Volvo all have had to push SUVs instead of sedans to survive while Mercedes, BMW and Audi keep doing and selling them. It has to be because these 3 car manufacturers are the established luxury benchmarks. Very interesting. Regarding the CX90 I really like it.
Enjoyed your video. It is nice to actual watch a professional that knows what they are talking about. I drive 7 miles to work each day. 14 mile round trip. However, twice a month I need to drive over 400 miles in 2 days. The CX90 makes great sense for this scenario. Hence, I will be taking delivery of my new CX90 PHEV next week which will replace my 2021 CX9.
I really like the CX-90 especially in its PHEV variant, a bit Kardashian-esque in the rear though. I’m looking forward to the CX-70 (I think that’s what it’ll be called) coming next year, not as big, maybe a bit peppier. You da man Tom, great content!
A little disappointed with the range, but it would be good enough for me since I can charge at work and home. I think the water mark for PHEVs should be 70 km at a minimum with a max of 100 km, few folks need more than that to do their daily chores, anything more and they are just hoarding batteries that can be used by another customer to daily drive emissions free, instead of being on a waiting list months or even years long.
Thank you for a great review video - you're spoiling us as usual. Even when not in the market for what is reviewed, I still find myself entertained and informed in a good way. Kudos.
Great video as always Tom. Love the balanced view, technical background and the “get to the point” style. Dare I call it the Mazda of video car review styles?? Definitely looking at a mid sized PHEV as our next family car. Tired of the poor efficiency of our MDX
I own a Crosstrek PHEV and cannot praise it enough. PHEVs are amazing! I love the all EV city driving and great gas mileage for the 700+ km weekly highway trips that I have to make in all sorts of weather (from -35C to +40C).
@@DrivenCarReviews My pleasure! I find that a lot of people that I speak with do not see the point of a PHEV or wonder how it works. They are fantastic vehicles in locations with heavy climate shifts and for people who have to drive long distance frequently.
19:08 Yes, it as an argument. It's about acknowledging something that you're giving up for the flexibility a PHEV brings, which is the efficiency loss due to always carrying around dead weight. Doesn't mean that tradeoff is never worth it, but even when it is it's still there.
With fully charged battery you do not feel the extra weight. Also based on length of your journey you can strategize how you use your range. In hybrid mode the battery is only used to fill in power, and when stopped. If you don’t deplete the battery you won’t feel extra weight other than taking sharp turns of going over speed bumps.
@@David_Journey You seem to be talking about weight and driving dynamics, which is completely different to what I was talking about. Were you intending to respond to someone else?
@@godofdun The efficiency loss compared to EVs is evident. However life isn't a zero sum game. If someone can't accept limitations of EVs, now they have another choice. My response was more from an ownership experience. Yes, the car isn't the most efficient (but weird enough it's in a segment of a single 7-seat PHEV on the market right now), but that does not come across in the daily ownership experience. I do not have to visit the pump too often if I charge and use full benefit of EV powertrain.
@@godofdun in short, let not perfect be enemy of incremental progress. EVs are superior in efficiency over PHEVs, but the experience with EV charging infrastructure is far from ideal outside of home charging which is not accessible to all people. So I get your comment from engineering point of view, but real life is more complex.
@@David_Journey I didn't say that the tradeoff was never worth it, in fact I said the opposite. That's why I thought you might be responding to someone else, as your first post was kinda reinforcing mine but was worded as if it was in disagreement. I own a phev, none of this is new to me. It isn't even just about evs, you seem overly focused on them, it's also about regular hybrids. Those are generally more efficient than an equivalent phev when it's operating as a hybrid, and also cost less in terms of initial price. Again, the tradeoff can very much be worth it, but it's still there. This is especially evident with PHEVs that are "hot" like the Rav4 prime. There are probably a substantial amount of people in the market for a prime that from a financial perspective would be better off just getting the regular Rav4 hybrid due to msrp + markup difference. Then there's PHEVs like the Outlander or CX-90 where you can probably get it at a discount in certain markets where the deal is much much better.
I learned how to drive with my mom's first gen Mazda RX-7's (79' and 85'). I then had my own 84' up until I moved to Québec. I have always had a soft spot for Mazda.
General comment about the modern vehicles: dos one have the choice to turn these "extra" "unnecessary" screens off? My favorite car's dashboard was the SAAB feature that turned off every dial except the speedo at night to save your eyes. Yes, important warnings came on to notify driver of a problem, but otherwise, very comfortable AND UNDISTRACTED driving otherwise. Especially at night.
Touch in Carplay works when the car is moving but you need to enable it in setting in 12" display. Sadly, not available in Canada. I have phev GT in Canada, love it, not as refined as Germans but it's CA$30-40K cheaper.
FYI, in Canada, Mazda doesn't make the touchscreen available at any time or any trim level if you buy the PHEV. Absolutely unjustifiable! What is an instantaneous one touch, one click procedure becomes a seconds long one as you follow the cursor along the screen until you get to the proper icon using that stupid wheel.
@@nickcef510 There are many scenarios touch is much quicker, when I use GPS to enter address or move map around, when I use Spotify, when you navigate carplay screen, etc. Provide it and let customers decide how they want to use it.
Love your reviews Tom. I'm excited to see a review in the future on the CX-70 when they reveal the U.S. version (whether or not it will be like the European CX-60). I'm hoping it's a RWD vehicle with an inline 6 cylinder that is similar to a BMW driving dynamics but without the BMW prices and repair costs. Maybe wishful thinking.
It will 100% be like that. They have said it from the very beginning. No need to hope. They already have the new RWD platform, new turbo inline 6 engine, and new 8-speed automatic transmission. It makes no sense not to build the CX-70 the way it was intended.
@@morganlingsweiler9813 I ignore any reviewers personal preference comments since we all have our individual likes and dislikes. But the CCN obviously reviewed the Mazda repair database to understand where components are located and what has to be removed to access them and that is good stuff
what about cold engine starts after coming out of EV mode? is engine oil pre-heated? what about cat temperatures? the engine will run rich until up to operating temp
The hardest part about the CX-90, is that the 340hp “S” TT I-6 is excellent, and may be the better drivetrain. At 500 lbs less, the straight6 + 48v hybrid assist off stop is ZOOM ZOOM grade despite the size / height / curb wt. I think the Mazda engineers are magicians.
Again with the car care nut Clark Kent? I've seen your comments about the car care nut on quite a few of these reviews. Your beef with Mazda engineering is bordering on obsessive. The car care nut is an experienced Toyota mechanic who doesn't review Toyota products. if you're worried about repairing your own car which most people are not you should stick with your easy to repair cx5 if that's the size vehicle for you. Give the vehicle and the manufacturer a break before you set about lowering a boom that you have no evidence to support yet. I am a Mazda owner and awaiting my mhev signature to compliment my 2017 cx9 GT. I'm a Mercedes owner also. Personally I feel Mazda engineering is excellent so I expect the same from this new model!
@@Kdd-pt2bt Simple points: 1-Prior to purchasing any vehicle I perform a detailed research. I have spent many hours researching the new MazdaCX-90 8 speed trans, PHEV system, and inline 6. 2- People watch YT videos to gain more information on a vehicle prior to purchase but usually not to the level of my research. 3-Who would NOT want to have more information prior to purchase and the CCN performs one of the best reviews on this vehicle. Why are you or why would anyone be upset that I am providing people more information on a vehicle that they are researching??? 4- If you would actually watch the CCN videos you will see that he reviews many different types of vehicles and is not bias. 5- I have owned/own 4 Mazdas and like their products but the company is moving in the wrong direction with the CX-90 and MANY commenters agree. 6- Past experience does indicate that Mazda engineering is excellent but that does not mean things will not fail as they have on my Mazdas. 7- I don't know if it is true but one commentator on these YT channels stated that they worked on the CX-90 project and that some components were outsourced. I believe that since Mazda is a small company and could not possibility develop a completely new engine, transmission, hybrid system, and platform, in house. So you may not be getting all Mazda engineering since the engine, EV motor setup, and transmission are very very simular in design to German products. 8- More information is never a bad thing except for those trying to hide something
@@Kdd-pt2bt.. this clarkkent i think is getting paid from ccn... he spent his arms and legs to discourage people about this car.. they assume this car will going to break soon.. thats their goal.. they think they are smarter than mazda company and all their engineers. Clarckken has a brain issue..
That's a long post....I've watched car care nuts reviews on repairing a 2008 carry hybrid. A very well maintained one at that. I wonder how much that cost to maintain over the 13 years and then to put another 7000.00 usd into the car. You're worried about how much possible repairs may cost. I repeat possible repairs! All cars need maintenance and parts wear out but you misrepresent the cx90 as a money pit before its rolled off the assembly line on this board and post on other boards the issue is the car is designed for the wrong market so it won't sell. I mean, I'm open to dialogue, but you are unreasonable and using any line of reasoning to disparage the product. Unbalanced approach.
Hi Tom, thanks for this review. Because I must have a 2nd row bench seat but also want all the goodies, I'll have to wait for the CX-70. Is there anything you can share about it? Thanks again 🙂
Very interesting! Can't wait to hear what you know 🙂 Do you at least have an embargo date you're allowed to share? p.s. Does TH-cam take 30% of the Super Thanks or whatever it's called, such that there's a more efficient way of thanking you (one in which you get 95+%)?@@DrivenCarReviews
Sorry guys. I would never consider a luxury SUV weighing that much running a 4 cylinder engine with a pluggable battery. I could never trust an engine stressed that much lasting over 3-4 years. A Lincoln Aviator suv pluggable has a V6 with 500 HP and 600 lbs of torque! I have one and get 27 MPG at 80 mph on the open road. The battery only lasts 23 miles but it works fine for my daily driving. Best of all I like going 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds!
We have the cx90 phev with 2 miles on it and we now have 300 miles and still have a little over half a tank of gas. This is what it's for! Just wish they put 360 cameras on all cars. We bought the premium one and 4k extra to get the premium plus (just for me to have the 360 camera) isn't worth it to me.
Depends on how far and hard you drive it before recharging. A light throttle should get you 25 miles of EV range using no gas. A heavy foot would deplete the battery faster plus cause the ICE to fire up, using some about of petrol.
The UK and most, if not all, Commonwealth countries (including Canada of course, Australia, New Zealand, etc) pronounce the brand as "Mazzda" (like "jazz"). The USA prefers to pronounce it as "Mahzda"
One correction here: The full touchscreen for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be activated so that it works WHILE driving. It's a bit buried in the menus, but the feature is under "Devices" and it's titled "Touchscreen in Motion for All Devices." Just switch it on. I agree that Mazda should just go full touchscreen. They are losing sales with that knob and making life difficult.
Toyota is coming up with the solid state battery that will dramatically increase the range on all electric vehicles and I can't help but think about how much better Plug-In Hybrids can be with their small batteries and longer ranges. Apparently around 3.5 times of what they can do nowadays.
If your daily commute is less than 15 miles away you can get away with using no gasoline. We've had our a month and are still showing 380 miles to empty and have never added gasoline. Our reasout says 2 miles per kwh is our average.
I own this exact vehicle and wish I didn't. Two biggest issues are the harsh ride quality and the very small rear cargo space. I could go on with negatives. I do appreciate that I use much less gas as my whole commute is covered by the battery.
The CX-90 PHEV averages 25 miles of EV only range OR 25 miles on ONE gallon of gasoline (EPA combined value). So one battery charge (~15Kwh) is equal to one gallon of gas. Take your last electric bill TOTAL (tax and fees included) and divide by the Kwh used for your cost of one Kwh. Multiply that by 15 and you have your electric cost to charge that battery. MOST people will find that the cost to charge that battery is not much less than the cost of ONE gallon of gas. AND if you calculate how many times you have to run on EV just to break even on that $4,000 PHEV option, you will find out it takes many YEARS. Lots of reasons for EVs. PHEVs, and hybrids but in the case of the CX-90, saving money is NOT one of them
I don’t need the gymnastics to figure out my costs. I pay a service fee of $23 per month regardless of KWh used. The charge per KWh remains the same at $0.0567. That works out to a cost of $0.80 (14x 0.0567) to fill my RAV4 Prime if it is empty. If I wasn’t charging my PHEV I would still be paying the $23 fee every month on top of the electricity for heat, AC and lights, etc. To put this in real world terms: My last tankful of gas I bought 7.14 gallons of gasoline for $5.69/gallon. It cost $40.64. The number of gasoline miles were 250. But I ran 700 miles on that tankful or 450 miles of pure electric. That cost $8.
@@tommihelich2613 I was not commenting on the Rav4 prime. No tax on that electric? You are lucky. I have worked out the numbers for electricity at less than 0.80 per Kwh and gasoline at $4.00 a gallon and it takes many years just to break even on that $4,000 CX-90 PHEV option. You many want to see how many years it takes you to break even on that Prime option over a Rav 4 hybrid. The Primes that I have seen on the lot command a hefty dealer markup even beyond the cost of the option. I just try to let people know that electricity is not free and charging a large battery cost $$ just like pumping a gallon of gas
@@clarkkent9080 oh I know I am lucky, thanks. I live next to a hydroelectric dam and my utility is not owned by a large multinational corporation. And on a clear day not far from my home I can see hundreds of windmills. Also, when I purchased my Prime there was no dealer markup. Since it was early in that model I was able to receive the entire federal tax credit plus $2500.00 in cash from the state of Oregon. It ended up costing less than a hybrid RAV4. And it has all the options so it’s much better than the hybrid in ride quality and sound. As for your figures: you are wildly pessimistic. Even down at my local Kroger outlet they sell electricity for cars at 55 cents/kilowatt (last time I checked). Home consumption in Portland is $0.14/Khw. Up around Moses Lake,Wa it’s about $0.03. Southern California is ,I believe, $0.25. Filling an electric “tank” is not the same as a gasoline tank..
@@tommihelich2613 Every area is different and the pacific northwest has very low electric rates for the reasons you stated. My grid has two older nuclear plants and two of the first new nuclear plants in 30 years, are both going on line this year. My electric rate is0.14 per Kwh before tax and fees and 0.19 per Kwh total and when that last nuke goes on line it will increase at least 25%. Most people are not in your position. The prime is by far, much more efficient than the CX-90 and that CVTe is a marvel of engineering. However Toyota is pricing themselves out of the market as the distributers and dealers are adding thousands. Every Toyota on my local dealer lot has between $4,000 and $7,000 markups and they are not dealing. My issues with Toyota is the sea of cheap plastic interiors and markup. You can move up to a Lexus but even the CX-5 select base model has an interior that puts the rav4 to shame and is almost Lexus like.
@@clarkkent9080 Ah Georgia. I hear it’s a beautiful place.I’ve never had the pleasure of traveling to the Deep South. Yeah, everywhere has its plus’s and minus’s. As do autos. My other car is a twenty year old Outback. Mediocre mileage but very comfortable to drive in the mountains. And the Prime feels like a Cadillac after driving the Outback.
While I'm not so sure about inline 6-cylinder engines, Pastor Tom, modern 4-cylinder engines (especially without piles of turbochargers and such on top of them) are really quite lightweight. Think in terms, for instance, of how much in a modern engine compartment is made out of "plastic." Let's call it all "composites," but in the automotive world, there is NOTHING heavier than a battery pack. Even a battery pack with just 300 miles of range is on the order of TWICE as heavy as the combustion components in a plug-in hybrid. "Carrying around twice as much weight to get perhaps half as much range" is the reality of full EV vehicles right now. As a renter, there is no way I would "sentence" myself to "life without possibility of charging at home." And frankly, any "plain old" hybrid will probably cut your carbon footprint as much as a full EV would, given the mix of electricity generation methods in use today. I have been getting REALLY TIRED of the EV fanatics who insist that EVERYONE will jump into the full EV world immediately. I'll wait until "zero emission" vehicles make sense for me and all of the other renters in this country.
It will make more sense for renters to purchase a BEV once the charging infrastructure is built out and much longer range batteries are installed in these vehicles. If Toyota (et.Al.) are correct with their promise of a 700 mile battery and 10 minute full charge your worries will be over.
While the car is beautiful, its pretty tight inside. This suv needs to be 2ft longer. And while its shipped from japan, some cars have paint defects and they arrive very dirty as was told by a salesman. I put a $500 refundable deposit hold on a new cx90 vehicle for an out of state, since they had a sale, when i got there to inspect the car it had lots of paint spots/defects on the doors and hood. The dealer decided to tell me the depotsit is nonrefundable now cause i was expected to buy the car. I told them theres no way im buying a brand new car with so many paint defects on it They didn't care, stole my money and i left, since they became really aggressive.
What a shame. Very good looking crossover with the exception of the very odd and short/sharply raked roof structure above the front seats/doors. Ruins the look when looking at it from the side.
I just test drove a premium package, non-hybrid (they didn’t have a premium plus) yesterday. Nice looking, decent interior. However $50k and just a backup camera without trajectory line was unacceptable. Will be getting a 23 Palisade Calligraphy for the same cost with much better technology.
Your average EV & gas mileage information is inaccurate because you drove the vehicle in your neighborhood for a week that requires a speed limit of approximately 25-35 mph. You should do more road testing on major highways for true gas/EV mileage.
@@DrivenCarReviews It doesn’t mean you did either. Still enjoy your reviews. And love your signature packs of toilet paper demonstration for cargo space comparison.
The place where a PHEV shines the most is for the daily city / suburban driving. Driving at 60+ mph eats up the battery charge much faster than stop & go city driving. I know from personal experience as I have have a 2019 Niro PHEV
Not everyone drives 80 - 90 MPH everywhere. Many are battling traffic, city congestion or simply using back country roads. In these, very common, situations, the electric drivetrain shines.
"Bring $$$$$$$$$$." And after all of that "drivetrain technology" goes out of warranty, "bring $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ more." That thing is right around twice as much as I'll ever be able to afford. Sorry, Mazda, but I don't need a sixty thousand dollar SUV race car. And while the BMW will cost more, the Mazda has BMW-style complexity under that hood, and any kind of "simple" engine repair will require whole piles of stuff to come off of that engine to get to, well, "that engine." And then those piles will have to get reinstalled back where they came from. That's what you'll need all of that $$$$$$ for. Perhaps they'll sell a few of these things.
Interesting that no one brings up traditional hybrids as being too complex, but for some reason PHEVs (that are really quite similar) are crazy complicated. Something to think about.
insurance and accident repair will be the true killer. bad enough the automakers are creating false high price floors, but the real knife in the back is complexity of repair. not to mention theoretical supply/parts shortages...
Another half hearted attempt to enter the PHEV market; they just can't seem to get away from the six cylinder engine and small battery. Not on my list.
A CORRECTION TO THIS VIDEO since I gripe about it and TH-cam doesn't allow changes once it's up. There IS a menu setting that allows CarPlay to be used with the touchscreen while driving. The Mazda Connect interface is not touchscreen whether driving or parked. And for those wondering, there is a high and low recuperation drag setting in the menu.
Good to know regen is adjustable. And good points on the PHEV being a good compromise. One thing BEV folks bring up a lot is the ICE is difficult to maintain. In PHEVs it's usually very underutilized since the electric motor/generator takes the brunt of the acceleration forces, the ICE just operates in the most efficient region, if it is being used at all. In my gen 2 Volt, I have over 135k km on the car and only a touch over 13k km in hybrid mode so yeah I can count on one hand how many oil changes I've had to do since I owned it. Batteries still hold >90% charge too so the frequent battery cycling a lot of folks talk about for PHEVs isn't an issue, at least with the temperature conditioned batteries in the Volt.
I was just coming in here to correct you regarding the phone projection touch screen capabilities. I suspected you’d have caught the error quickly. Your reviews are terrific.
tom, why couldn't you pin a video/information correction statement to the top of comments instead of wiping out the first upload? we understand errors can be made. I think a correction statement is all that's needed. 👍
Thanks Tom... Lack of touchscreen for Android Auto was a red light for me. I am glad you pinned the corection. (I have been driving a Kia Sportage HEV for the last several weeks in Ireland and am loving it - except for lack of a radio volume knob, of course. Human interface matters!!! 😀)
Great video and thanks for this “pinned” post!!
Huge fan! I appreciated the CX-90 video, especially given my CX-5 lease is up in July. Yours truly, Benevolent Billionaire
Dang. I hardly make this much from TH-cam on a video! Thanks marketdifferent. This is indeed a Super Thanks. And hope there are more vehicles available when your lease ends in July.
Great job Mazda, this SUV looks great...the fit and finish along with the interior material are top notch.
I've been driving my new cx90 phev now for 3 months... First off, it's an amazing vehicle drives great takes corners with a breeze, I drive it every day in town and been on 100% electric since I bought it.... Saving $$$... I can't say enough of this SUV.... My only gripe is, I would of loved to have the seat with an optional extension for the thigs.... But other than that I'm giving a 9.8 out of 10.... Fun to drive every day
@4:58 "Isn't it great when things work together? Don't you wish humans did that more?" Yes, indeed. Thank you for another great review and your trademark thoughtful musings.
Thank you Tom for the review, I did not realize that it has a PHEV version and the spacious third row until your video.
Mazda is my favorite car maker. I'm hoping my next car will be one. Probably the CX-30.
Thanks for all the hard work! I’d be interested in your review of the Hyundai Kona EV and also the Volvo EX30 when it is released.
I have been watching your videos for years! Thank you so much for the work that you do!
Thank You Tom for great reveiws. Wish You could check out some vehicles from the other side of the pond. Thanks from Poland!
Great Review. I hope that the CX-70 will get better mpgs in hybrid mode and weigh less than this CX-90.
Good point about premium marques. Yes, in Canada we call Mazda, Mazda.
Tom, I love your logic and realistic perspective. Such as the math problem you solved with regards to the CX 90 EV range over a period of a year.
So many car reviewers and definitely the majority of those that post in the comments lack both traits.
“Thanks for coming to my Tom Talk”
Keep up the great work!
Kind of glad my parents didn't name me Ted.
Barbie was hilarious! I own a Mazda after having four Hondas and it is definitely a step up in the interior and handling. I’m waiting for the CX70! This one is way too big for my needs.
The CX70 is going to be the same size without the 3rd. row.
Great looking ride. Nice design inside and out.
Thanks!
Hey, thanks Jeffrey! Very generous of you. Cheers!
You said something that is true: near luxury car makers doesn’t do well in the US. For example, Acura, Lexus, Infinity, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick and Volvo all have had to push SUVs instead of sedans to survive while Mercedes, BMW and Audi keep doing and selling them. It has to be because these 3 car manufacturers are the established luxury benchmarks. Very interesting. Regarding the CX90 I really like it.
Enjoyed your video. It is nice to actual watch a professional that knows what they are talking about. I drive 7 miles to work each day. 14 mile round trip. However, twice a month I need to drive over 400 miles in 2 days. The CX90 makes great sense for this scenario. Hence, I will be taking delivery of my new CX90 PHEV next week which will replace my 2021 CX9.
Nice review!
Glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for showing your appreciation Ken!
I really like the CX-90 especially in its PHEV variant, a bit Kardashian-esque in the rear though. I’m looking forward to the CX-70 (I think that’s what it’ll be called) coming next year, not as big, maybe a bit peppier. You da man Tom, great content!
A little disappointed with the range, but it would be good enough for me since I can charge at work and home. I think the water mark for PHEVs should be 70 km at a minimum with a max of 100 km, few folks need more than that to do their daily chores, anything more and they are just hoarding batteries that can be used by another customer to daily drive emissions free, instead of being on a waiting list months or even years long.
According to 2 Mazda dealers, they have been told the CX-70 will be the same size externally
Thank you for a great review video - you're spoiling us as usual.
Even when not in the market for what is reviewed, I still find myself entertained and informed in a good way. Kudos.
Great video as always Tom. Love the balanced view, technical background and the “get to the point” style. Dare I call it the Mazda of video car review styles??
Definitely looking at a mid sized PHEV as our next family car. Tired of the poor efficiency of our MDX
Keep up the great work!
Glad to see you do a Mazda review. Nice job. I was surprised that you didn't do a CX-50, unless you did and I somehow missed it.
Here's for the caffeine.
Thanks much David! Now Martin and Rob are going to want the fancy coffee drinks.
Great take, Tom! Appreciate you!
I own a Crosstrek PHEV and cannot praise it enough. PHEVs are amazing! I love the all EV city driving and great gas mileage for the 700+ km weekly highway trips that I have to make in all sorts of weather (from -35C to +40C).
Thanks for sharing!
@@DrivenCarReviews My pleasure! I find that a lot of people that I speak with do not see the point of a PHEV or wonder how it works. They are fantastic vehicles in locations with heavy climate shifts and for people who have to drive long distance frequently.
I second that emotion as we love our 2019 Niro PHEV and the 135 MPGe over almost 20, 000 miles
It's been a while since a Mazda review! Thanks, Tom!
I like how you used an item everyone can be familiar with to demonstrate cargo capacity.
19:08 Yes, it as an argument. It's about acknowledging something that you're giving up for the flexibility a PHEV brings, which is the efficiency loss due to always carrying around dead weight. Doesn't mean that tradeoff is never worth it, but even when it is it's still there.
With fully charged battery you do not feel the extra weight. Also based on length of your journey you can strategize how you use your range. In hybrid mode the battery is only used to fill in power, and when stopped. If you don’t deplete the battery you won’t feel extra weight other than taking sharp turns of going over speed bumps.
@@David_Journey You seem to be talking about weight and driving dynamics, which is completely different to what I was talking about. Were you intending to respond to someone else?
@@godofdun The efficiency loss compared to EVs is evident. However life isn't a zero sum game. If someone can't accept limitations of EVs, now they have another choice. My response was more from an ownership experience. Yes, the car isn't the most efficient (but weird enough it's in a segment of a single 7-seat PHEV on the market right now), but that does not come across in the daily ownership experience. I do not have to visit the pump too often if I charge and use full benefit of EV powertrain.
@@godofdun in short, let not perfect be enemy of incremental progress. EVs are superior in efficiency over PHEVs, but the experience with EV charging infrastructure is far from ideal outside of home charging which is not accessible to all people. So I get your comment from engineering point of view, but real life is more complex.
@@David_Journey I didn't say that the tradeoff was never worth it, in fact I said the opposite. That's why I thought you might be responding to someone else, as your first post was kinda reinforcing mine but was worded as if it was in disagreement. I own a phev, none of this is new to me.
It isn't even just about evs, you seem overly focused on them, it's also about regular hybrids. Those are generally more efficient than an equivalent phev when it's operating as a hybrid, and also cost less in terms of initial price. Again, the tradeoff can very much be worth it, but it's still there.
This is especially evident with PHEVs that are "hot" like the Rav4 prime. There are probably a substantial amount of people in the market for a prime that from a financial perspective would be better off just getting the regular Rav4 hybrid due to msrp + markup difference. Then there's PHEVs like the Outlander or CX-90 where you can probably get it at a discount in certain markets where the deal is much much better.
Thank you for the practical advice about EVs. They should be an option but NEVER mandated.
I learned how to drive with my mom's first gen Mazda RX-7's (79' and 85'). I then had my own 84' up until I moved to Québec. I have always had a soft spot for Mazda.
The first car I bought was an RX-4 sedan. And I still have my NA Miata. So, yeah.
@@DrivenCarReviews Nice!!! I miss my Mazdas and I still eye those few RX-7's I see puttering around Montreal in the summer.
Sold our CX9 a few years too early. Now have an X5 45e which I love but paid dearly for. 😂 would take this for sure.
General comment about the modern vehicles: dos one have the choice to turn these "extra" "unnecessary" screens off? My favorite car's dashboard was the SAAB feature that turned off every dial except the speedo at night to save your eyes. Yes, important warnings came on to notify driver of a problem, but otherwise, very comfortable AND UNDISTRACTED driving otherwise. Especially at night.
Touch in Carplay works when the car is moving but you need to enable it in setting in 12" display. Sadly, not available in Canada. I have phev GT in Canada, love it, not as refined as Germans but it's CA$30-40K cheaper.
Yes, I ave corrected that touchscreen fact going forward, missed it in the menu.
FYI, in Canada, Mazda doesn't make the touchscreen available at any time or any trim level if you buy the PHEV. Absolutely unjustifiable! What is an instantaneous one touch, one click procedure becomes a seconds long one as you follow the cursor along the screen until you get to the proper icon using that stupid wheel.
@@nickcef510 No, Signature has 12" touch screen.
@@nickcef510 There are many scenarios touch is much quicker, when I use GPS to enter address or move map around, when I use Spotify, when you navigate carplay screen, etc. Provide it and let customers decide how they want to use it.
@@GooseVan In canada the top trim available on the PHEV is the GT trim. Go figure.
Thanks for your thorough review as always Tom :) Would love to get your full perspective on the Honda Pilot (non-TrailSport Edition). Thanks!
Thanks Tom, great video
Very welcome
Great video Tom👍👍
Love your reviews Tom. I'm excited to see a review in the future on the CX-70 when they reveal the U.S. version (whether or not it will be like the European CX-60). I'm hoping it's a RWD vehicle with an inline 6 cylinder that is similar to a BMW driving dynamics but without the BMW prices and repair costs. Maybe wishful thinking.
Fingers crossed!
It will 100% be like that. They have said it from the very beginning. No need to hope. They already have the new RWD platform, new turbo inline 6 engine, and new 8-speed automatic transmission. It makes no sense not to build the CX-70 the way it was intended.
You may want to watch the Car Care Nut review before making that repair cost comment
@@clarkkent9080 just stumbled upon that video. I'll have to finish watching it.
@@morganlingsweiler9813 I ignore any reviewers personal preference comments since we all have our individual likes and dislikes. But the CCN obviously reviewed the Mazda repair database to understand where components are located and what has to be removed to access them and that is good stuff
what about cold engine starts after coming out of EV mode? is engine oil pre-heated? what about cat temperatures? the engine will run rich until up to operating temp
Apple CarPlay can be enabled to work as a touch screen while driving
CX-90 🖤
The hardest part about the CX-90, is that the 340hp “S” TT I-6 is excellent, and may be the better drivetrain. At 500 lbs less, the straight6 + 48v hybrid assist off stop is ZOOM ZOOM grade despite the size / height / curb wt. I think the Mazda engineers are magicians.
You may want to watch the Car Care Nut review before making that comment
Again with the car care nut Clark Kent? I've seen your comments about the car care nut on quite a few of these reviews. Your beef with Mazda engineering is bordering on obsessive. The car care nut is an experienced Toyota mechanic who doesn't review Toyota products. if you're worried about repairing your own car which most people are not you should stick with your easy to repair cx5 if that's the size vehicle for you. Give the vehicle and the manufacturer a break before you set about lowering a boom that you have no evidence to support yet. I am a Mazda owner and awaiting my mhev signature to compliment my 2017 cx9 GT. I'm a Mercedes owner also. Personally I feel Mazda engineering is excellent so I expect the same from this new model!
@@Kdd-pt2bt Simple points:
1-Prior to purchasing any vehicle I perform a detailed research. I have spent many hours researching the new MazdaCX-90 8 speed trans, PHEV system, and inline 6.
2- People watch YT videos to gain more information on a vehicle prior to purchase but usually not to the level of my research.
3-Who would NOT want to have more information prior to purchase and the CCN performs one of the best reviews on this vehicle. Why are you or why would anyone be upset that I am providing people more information on a vehicle that they are researching???
4- If you would actually watch the CCN videos you will see that he reviews many different types of vehicles and is not bias.
5- I have owned/own 4 Mazdas and like their products but the company is moving in the wrong direction with the CX-90 and MANY commenters agree.
6- Past experience does indicate that Mazda engineering is excellent but that does not mean things will not fail as they have on my Mazdas.
7- I don't know if it is true but one commentator on these YT channels stated that they worked on the CX-90 project and that some components were outsourced. I believe that since Mazda is a small company and could not possibility develop a completely new engine, transmission, hybrid system, and platform, in house. So you may not be getting all Mazda engineering since the engine, EV motor setup, and transmission are very very simular in design to German products.
8- More information is never a bad thing except for those trying to hide something
@@Kdd-pt2bt.. this clarkkent i think is getting paid from ccn... he spent his arms and legs to discourage people about this car.. they assume this car will going to break soon.. thats their goal.. they think they are smarter than mazda company and all their engineers. Clarckken has a brain issue..
That's a long post....I've watched car care nuts reviews on repairing a 2008 carry hybrid. A very well maintained one at that. I wonder how much that cost to maintain over the 13 years and then to put another 7000.00 usd into the car. You're worried about how much possible repairs may cost. I repeat possible repairs! All cars need maintenance and parts wear out but you misrepresent the cx90 as a money pit before its rolled off the assembly line on this board and post on other boards the issue is the car is designed for the wrong market so it won't sell. I mean, I'm open to dialogue, but you are unreasonable and using any line of reasoning to disparage the product. Unbalanced approach.
Great video and very informative, Tom!
Really nice rig, need to go drive one. Love our 22 MDX, but wish it had better MPG. not sure I want to give up the 2.4% rate on that though.
You can get $7,500 rebate if you lease one of these. It’s a great deal, especially on a 24 month lease.
Wow, that looks nice !!!
Yes, more electric range is needed considering the gas engine is not a hybrid. Perhaps 31, 32 mile range on a slightly larger battery.
I actually prefer the knob to touch. Especially since won’t be seeing fingerprints on the screen.
Love Mazda
Thanks for the video, very informative.
Hi Tom, thanks for this review. Because I must have a 2nd row bench seat but also want all the goodies, I'll have to wait for the CX-70. Is there anything you can share about it? Thanks again 🙂
Nothing I can share right now. Sorry.
Very interesting! Can't wait to hear what you know 🙂 Do you at least have an embargo date you're allowed to share? p.s. Does TH-cam take 30% of the Super Thanks or whatever it's called, such that there's a more efficient way of thanking you (one in which you get 95+%)?@@DrivenCarReviews
Just wondering, how many TP packs does the Grand Highlander hold?
Don't know, did that review at an event.
Mazda should have made it in a minivan shape with sliding rear doors, it would make more sense.
Sorry guys. I would never consider a luxury SUV weighing that much running a 4 cylinder engine with a pluggable battery. I could never trust an engine stressed that much lasting over 3-4 years. A Lincoln Aviator suv pluggable has a V6 with 500 HP and 600 lbs of torque! I have one and get 27 MPG at 80 mph on the open road. The battery only lasts 23 miles but it works fine for my daily driving. Best of all I like going 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds!
Mazda is the best
We have the cx90 phev with 2 miles on it and we now have 300 miles and still have a little over half a tank of gas. This is what it's for! Just wish they put 360 cameras on all cars. We bought the premium one and 4k extra to get the premium plus (just for me to have the 360 camera) isn't worth it to me.
I appreciate you sharing your view.
I know i sound crazy, if this is driven in hybrid mode with full battery charge, how many miles per gallon ?
Depends on how far and hard you drive it before recharging. A light throttle should get you 25 miles of EV range using no gas. A heavy foot would deplete the battery faster plus cause the ICE to fire up, using some about of petrol.
The UK and most, if not all, Commonwealth countries (including Canada of course, Australia, New Zealand, etc) pronounce the brand as "Mazzda" (like "jazz"). The USA prefers to pronounce it as "Mahzda"
One correction here: The full touchscreen for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be activated so that it works WHILE driving.
It's a bit buried in the menus, but the feature is under "Devices" and it's titled "Touchscreen in Motion for All Devices." Just switch it on.
I agree that Mazda should just go full touchscreen. They are losing sales with that knob and making life difficult.
Yes, I have corrected this on other versions of the video. It certainly is buried.
Toyota is coming up with the solid state battery that will dramatically increase the range on all electric vehicles and I can't help but think about how much better Plug-In Hybrids can be with their small batteries and longer ranges. Apparently around 3.5 times of what they can do nowadays.
Toyota has been talking about solid state batteries for the last five years. I’m waiting for them to become a reality…
I wish this was on sale in Türkiye. They don't bring it here.
If your daily commute is less than 15 miles away you can get away with using no gasoline. We've had our a month and are still showing 380 miles to empty and have never added gasoline. Our reasout says 2 miles per kwh is our average.
Y puah electric
Seemingly worse 4 enviroment than natural organuc oil and gas ?
I own this exact vehicle and wish I didn't. Two biggest issues are the harsh ride quality and the very small rear cargo space. I could go on with negatives. I do appreciate that I use much less gas as my whole commute is covered by the battery.
I'm curious what you owned before that makes you feel the ride is harsh. The cargo space with the seats up is quite normal fr a vehicle this size. .
The CX-90 PHEV averages 25 miles of EV only range OR 25 miles on ONE gallon of gasoline (EPA combined value). So one battery charge (~15Kwh) is equal to one gallon of gas.
Take your last electric bill TOTAL (tax and fees included) and divide by the Kwh used for your cost of one Kwh. Multiply that by 15 and you have your electric cost to charge that battery. MOST people will find that the cost to charge that battery is not much less than the cost of ONE gallon of gas.
AND if you calculate how many times you have to run on EV just to break even on that $4,000 PHEV option, you will find out it takes many YEARS. Lots of reasons for EVs. PHEVs, and hybrids but in the case of the CX-90, saving money is NOT one of them
I don’t need the gymnastics to figure out my costs. I pay a service fee of $23 per month regardless of KWh used. The charge per KWh remains the same at $0.0567. That works out to a cost of $0.80 (14x 0.0567) to fill my RAV4 Prime if it is empty. If I wasn’t charging my PHEV I would still be paying the $23 fee every month on top of the electricity for heat, AC and lights, etc.
To put this in real world terms:
My last tankful of gas I bought 7.14 gallons of gasoline for $5.69/gallon. It cost $40.64. The number of gasoline miles were 250. But I ran 700 miles on that tankful or 450 miles of pure electric. That cost $8.
@@tommihelich2613 I was not commenting on the Rav4 prime. No tax on that electric? You are lucky.
I have worked out the numbers for electricity at less than 0.80 per Kwh and gasoline at $4.00 a gallon and it takes many years just to break even on that $4,000 CX-90 PHEV option.
You many want to see how many years it takes you to break even on that Prime option over a Rav 4 hybrid. The Primes that I have seen on the lot command a hefty dealer markup even beyond the cost of the option.
I just try to let people know that electricity is not free and charging a large battery cost $$ just like pumping a gallon of gas
@@clarkkent9080 oh I know I am lucky, thanks. I live next to a hydroelectric dam and my utility is not owned by a large multinational corporation. And on a clear day not far from my home I can see hundreds of windmills.
Also, when I purchased my Prime there was no dealer markup. Since it was early in that model I was able to receive the entire federal tax credit plus $2500.00 in cash from the state of Oregon. It ended up costing less than a hybrid RAV4. And it has all the options so it’s much better than the hybrid in ride quality and sound.
As for your figures: you are wildly pessimistic. Even down at my local Kroger outlet they sell electricity for cars at 55 cents/kilowatt (last time I checked). Home consumption in Portland is $0.14/Khw. Up around Moses Lake,Wa it’s about $0.03. Southern California is ,I believe, $0.25.
Filling an electric “tank” is not the same as a gasoline tank..
@@tommihelich2613 Every area is different and the pacific northwest has very low electric rates for the reasons you stated. My grid has two older nuclear plants and two of the first new nuclear plants in 30 years, are both going on line this year. My electric rate is0.14 per Kwh before tax and fees and 0.19 per Kwh total and when that last nuke goes on line it will increase at least 25%. Most people are not in your position.
The prime is by far, much more efficient than the CX-90 and that CVTe is a marvel of engineering.
However Toyota is pricing themselves out of the market as the distributers and dealers are adding thousands. Every Toyota on my local dealer lot has between $4,000 and $7,000 markups and they are not dealing.
My issues with Toyota is the sea of cheap plastic interiors and markup. You can move up to a Lexus but even the CX-5 select base model has an interior that puts the rav4 to shame and is almost Lexus like.
@@clarkkent9080 Ah Georgia. I hear it’s a beautiful place.I’ve never had the pleasure of traveling to the Deep South.
Yeah, everywhere has its plus’s and minus’s. As do autos. My other car is a twenty year old Outback. Mediocre mileage but very comfortable to drive in the mountains. And the Prime feels like a Cadillac after driving the Outback.
While I'm not so sure about inline 6-cylinder engines, Pastor Tom, modern 4-cylinder engines (especially without piles of turbochargers and such on top of them) are really quite lightweight. Think in terms, for instance, of how much in a modern engine compartment is made out of "plastic." Let's call it all "composites," but in the automotive world, there is NOTHING heavier than a battery pack. Even a battery pack with just 300 miles of range is on the order of TWICE as heavy as the combustion components in a plug-in hybrid. "Carrying around twice as much weight to get perhaps half as much range" is the reality of full EV vehicles right now. As a renter, there is no way I would "sentence" myself to "life without possibility of charging at home." And frankly, any "plain old" hybrid will probably cut your carbon footprint as much as a full EV would, given the mix of electricity generation methods in use today. I have been getting REALLY TIRED of the EV fanatics who insist that EVERYONE will jump into the full EV world immediately. I'll wait until "zero emission" vehicles make sense for me and all of the other renters in this country.
EVs are way more efficient than PHEVs. That is a matter of fact comparison, they simply get more miles out of a single kWh.
It will make more sense for renters to purchase a BEV once the charging infrastructure is built out and much longer range batteries are installed in these vehicles. If Toyota (et.Al.) are correct with their promise of a 700 mile battery and 10 minute full charge your worries will be over.
Car and driver got 5.9s 0-60 for PHEV
While the car is beautiful, its pretty tight inside. This suv needs to be 2ft longer. And while its shipped from japan, some cars have paint defects and they arrive very dirty as was told by a salesman.
I put a $500 refundable deposit hold on a new cx90 vehicle for an out of state, since they had a sale, when i got there to inspect the car it had lots of paint spots/defects on the doors and hood. The dealer decided to tell me the depotsit is nonrefundable now cause i was expected to buy the car. I told them theres no way im buying a brand new car with so many paint defects on it
They didn't care, stole my money and i left, since they became really aggressive.
What a shame. Very good looking crossover with the exception of the very odd and short/sharply raked roof structure above the front seats/doors. Ruins the look when looking at it from the side.
I just test drove a premium package, non-hybrid (they didn’t have a premium plus) yesterday. Nice looking, decent interior. However $50k and just a backup camera without trajectory line was unacceptable.
Will be getting a 23 Palisade Calligraphy for the same cost with much better technology.
Android auto and Apple carplay is touchscreen while moving. Please do your research author
56 MPGE
leaving my comment
lol
Tom, can you get a 7,500 tax credit on this vehicle?
Nope. Made in Japan.
You can if you lease it.
You can get $7,500 rebate through dealer if you lease.
There is absolutely no point to a hybrid that only gets 25 mpg.............
Please review more cars under $30k for real people. This is ridiculous.
Both of them?
Your average EV & gas mileage information is inaccurate because you drove the vehicle in your neighborhood for a week that requires a speed limit of approximately 25-35 mph. You should do more road testing on major highways for true gas/EV mileage.
Hi Noah, just because I didn't photograph highway driving doesn't mean I didn't.
@@DrivenCarReviews It doesn’t mean you did either. Still enjoy your reviews. And love your signature packs of toilet paper demonstration for cargo space comparison.
The place where a PHEV shines the most is for the daily city / suburban driving. Driving at 60+ mph eats up the battery charge much faster than stop & go city driving. I know from personal experience as I have have a 2019 Niro PHEV
Not everyone drives 80 - 90 MPH everywhere. Many are battling traffic, city congestion or simply using back country roads. In these, very common, situations, the electric drivetrain shines.
"Bring $$$$$$$$$$." And after all of that "drivetrain technology" goes out of warranty, "bring $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ more." That thing is right around twice as much as I'll ever be able to afford. Sorry, Mazda, but I don't need a sixty thousand dollar SUV race car. And while the BMW will cost more, the Mazda has BMW-style complexity under that hood, and any kind of "simple" engine repair will require whole piles of stuff to come off of that engine to get to, well, "that engine." And then those piles will have to get reinstalled back where they came from. That's what you'll need all of that $$$$$$ for. Perhaps they'll sell a few of these things.
Go by a bicycle then
Interesting that no one brings up traditional hybrids as being too complex, but for some reason PHEVs (that are really quite similar) are crazy complicated. Something to think about.
insurance and accident repair will be the true killer. bad enough the automakers are creating false high price floors, but the real knife in the back is complexity of repair. not to mention theoretical supply/parts shortages...
Another half hearted attempt to enter the PHEV market; they just can't seem to get away from the six cylinder engine and small battery. Not on my list.
Subtract two cylinders for PHEV.
Thanks!
Oh no, thank you!
Thanks!
Much appreciated localnut!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Much appreciated Jeff!
Thanks!