2025 Mazda CX-90 Configurations: Trims, Powertrains, and How They're Structured

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is a three-row midsize SUV built around a fairly straightforward lineup — but the way Mazda layers trims, powertrains, and packages can get confusing fast. Understanding how the configurations are structured helps you figure out what you're actually comparing when you're shopping.

How Mazda Structures the CX-90 Lineup

The CX-90 doesn't follow the typical single-powertrain, multi-trim approach. Instead, powertrain choice and trim level are both variables — meaning you're selecting an engine type and a feature tier, and those two choices interact with each other.

The three available powertrains are:

• PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 323 horsepower
• 3.3 Turbo — a 3.3-liter inline-six turbocharged gasoline engine with 280 horsepower
• 3.3 Turbo S — the same engine tuned higher, producing 340 horsepower

Not every trim level is available with every powertrain. The PHEV and the Turbo S each have their own trim path, and the standard Turbo covers the widest range of the lineup.

The Trim Levels

Across powertrains, the 2025 CX-90 is organized into these main trims:

Note: Trim availability and naming can shift between model years and by market. Always verify current offerings with Mazda's official configurator or a dealership.

The entry point is the Select, which comes only with the standard turbocharged inline-six. Moving up through the trims adds features like a larger infotainment screen, additional driver assistance tech, upgraded audio, heated and ventilated seats, and premium materials.

What Changes Across Trims

Here's a general picture of how features scale:

Lower trims (Select, Select Plus) typically include:

• 10.25-inch center display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Eight-way power driver's seat
• Mazda's i-Activsense safety suite (automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise)
• All-wheel drive standard across all configurations

Mid trims (Preferred, Preferred Plus) typically add:

• 12.3-inch infotainment display
• Navigation
• Heated front seats
• Bose audio system (on some variants)
• PHEV availability begins here

Upper trims (Premium, Premium Plus) typically add:

• Ventilated front seats
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Head-up display
• 360-degree camera system
• More advanced driver assistance features

Turbo S Premium Plus sits at the top with the high-output engine and the full Premium Plus feature set, along with sport-tuned suspension calibration.

The PHEV Configuration: What It Adds and What It Changes 🔋

The plug-in hybrid is its own meaningful consideration, not just a powertrain swap. The PHEV:

• Uses a 17.8 kWh battery for an EPA-estimated all-electric range in the neighborhood of 26 miles (actual range varies by driving conditions and temperature)
• Can charge on a Level 2 home charger or standard 120V outlet
• Qualifies for federal tax credits depending on ownership situation, income, and how the vehicle is purchased — eligibility criteria apply and can change

The PHEV adds weight compared to the turbocharged gas models, which affects dynamics and payload. It also commands a price premium over equivalent gas trims, so the math on fuel savings depends heavily on how much you drive, local electricity costs, and whether you have home charging access.

AWD, Seating, and Cargo: What Stays Consistent

A few things don't change across configurations:

• All-wheel drive comes standard on every 2025 CX-90 — there's no FWD option
• Three-row seating is standard, with capacity for six (captain's chairs in the second row) or seven (bench) depending on the configuration selected
• Towing capacity is rated at up to 5,000 pounds for the gas models; the PHEV is rated lower, typically around 3,500 pounds

These aren't trim-dependent variables — they're structural facts of the platform.

The Variables That Shape What Configuration Makes Sense

Even with the lineup clearly laid out, several factors shape which configuration is actually relevant to a given shopper:

• Daily commute length — affects whether the PHEV's electric range covers a meaningful share of driving
• Access to home charging — the PHEV's efficiency advantage shrinks significantly without it
• Towing needs — the Turbo S or standard Turbo may be more practical for heavy use
• Budget ceiling — the gap between a base Select and a Turbo S Premium Plus is substantial
• Third-row use frequency — the six-seat captain's chair layout sacrifices total capacity but improves second-row comfort
• State incentives — some states layer additional EV or PHEV incentives on top of federal credits; others don't

The 2025 CX-90's lineup is coherent once you understand the powertrain-plus-trim logic — but the right combination isn't the same for every buyer. The specs are fixed. What they mean in practice depends entirely on how the vehicle gets used. 🚗